Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine, and no profit is made from these stories. (But I do have fun writing them! : )
I never could get the hang of Thursdays, Ben thought.
It always seemed to be the busiest day of the week for an ADA. The court schedule on Thursdays was usually jam-packed - and when Ben wasn't in court, he could be found interviewing witnesses. Or running down evidence in Alfred Wentworth's cases.
"I'm sorry, Alfred. I didn't mean to interrupt."
Ben had already walked in before he realized that his boss was not alone. Sitting across from him was a man. The man's back was turned; Ben could only see the dark head of hair.
"Not at all, Ben. I'd like you to meet Jack McCoy. He's a new ADA in our office. Jack, this is my assistant, Ben Stone."
Alfred's companion stood up and turned to face Ben.
"Nice to meet you," Jack said. He said it with an air of self-confidence and cockiness, as though Ben meeting him should not be unexpected.
"Likewise," Ben replied.
"Alfred has told me all about you, Ben. And I'm sure you'll be hearing about me in the coming months," Jack grinned.
This guy is so full of himself, Ben thought.
But in fact Alfred did tell him about Jack McCoy - that he was an up-and-coming new attorney with a silver tongue and a gift for creative interpretations of the law.
Ben couldn't help feeling jealous, territorial, even competitive. He had worked hard in this office for three years, earning himself a reputation for being honest and fair. He had been told by many EADAs - not just Alfred - that he had a bright future.
As far as he was concerned, the law had no place for "creative interpretations," and he hoped that he wouldn't be seeing much of this slick new ADA around One Hogan Place.
finis