Ep. 20 Baptism of Fire

Previously, on AMC's Breaking Bad… To Skyler's dismay, Huell and Patrick testify that Skyler hid $75 million in a Storage Unit. Skyler's heart breaks as she realises the next witness to testify against her, is none other than her beloved sister, Marie.

2012

Prosecutor Gunn gestured to a very pale, thin, sleep-deprived, anxious, and visibly depressed Marie, seated in the witness box.

"I can only imagine how painful and difficult it is for one sister to testify against another. Believe me, Marie Schrader does not do this lightly. As she's said, she loves her sister, so it strikes common sense for you all to take her very seriously at her word, because she is testifying against the defendant with a very heavy and reluctant heart."

"Now, Marie. As I'm aware, 8 months ago you became aware of Walter White's sudden increase in wealth. Tell us how you found out about that," the Prosecutor prompted.

"About 8 months ago, Walt and Skyler invited Hank and I to dinner. Skye said that she knows we know her marriage has been very strained in the past few months, and that she was finally ready to reveal the truth about why."

"She started telling us about how the marriage got rocky because Walt, in his depression about his terminal cancer diagnosis, had gotten desperate to provide for the family, and had turned to researching intensely about gambling techniques, like card counting, so as to leave his family something after he died."

"Skye got really teary, telling this story. It was really convincing, really emotional, and truth be told, for all of Walt's deviousness, he never once breathed a word. The story-telling, that was all on Skye. So that's how we found out that Walt had hit it rich. Only, my God, how little we knew about how."

The Prosecutor nodded, "Alright, it was the defendant herself, who pre-emptively lied about how Walter earned his riches. And what happened next? More specifically, did the Whites tell you what they did with their newfound riches?"

"Skye told me they both decided to invest in the old carwash Walt used to work at. She said they bought it, and after they did, Skye started working full-time there, as the only manager," Marie said.

Gunn nodded at Marie, "Thank you Marie, you may be seated." Marie walked gingerly back to the docks, shamefully avoiding eye contact with her sister.

The Prosecutor paced about the Courtroom, addressing the Jury. "Here we have a woman who organises a dinner for the specific purpose of lying to her family about how her husband earns his riches. Then she immediately and impulsively hurries off to purchase a carwash, having indicated no prior interest or knowledge in such an investment."

The Prosecutor pointed at the Jury. "Now, here is the kicker, so listen close. The Whites hurry off to buy a carwash for $800,000, even though bank records show they still have $450,000 on the mortgage of their house, and $50,000 unpaid on Walter's chemotherapy."

"In the order of priorities, why on earth wouldn't they pay their life-saving medical bills and family home mortgage before buying a carwash?" Gunn paused for effect.

"I'll tell you why. It's because despite what she would have you believe, the defendant is no innocent victim, no ignorant housewife. She is a very intelligent woman."

"As a consistently financially-struggling couple, she knew that if she paid Walt's medical bills and her mortgage off immediately, it would raise suspicion from the bank. According to the financial statement of her bank, her mortgage was set at 13%."

"This means that for every month her mortgage remained unpaid, interest rates set at 13% of the value of the house would accrue. Tell me, who in their right mind would buy a carwash over paying off the mortgage, with that kind of cut-throat interest rate? A financially fraudulent individual, that's who!"

"And more significantly, if a woman whose only source of income comes from her high school teacher husband's unemployment benefits, cannot afford to pay her mortgage and her husband's medical bills, with what money would she use to buy a $800,000 carwash? Illegally obtained money, perchance?"

Proud and triumphant, Prosecutor Gunn marched back to her seat. Up in the civilian docks, Flynn sat quietly, saddened and ashamed of who his parents were. As the Trial wore on, it had become increasingly clear that his mother was no cowed down, frightened housewife. His mother was a collaborator, an accomplice, a partner in crime.

And here he was, with his entourage of newfound… fans (there was no other way to put it), all greedily vying to get in on the action that was the life of the Son of Heisenberg. No, Flynn wasn't seen as a dumb crippled kid, anymore. He was the alluring, badass offspring of a Criminal Mastermind.

Meanwhile, at the front of the Courtroom, Justice Mayfair eyed a very distraught Skyler, sobbing and shuddering in the docks. She smacked her mallet against the table.

"It looks like the defendant could use a break. I'm calling a five minute recess. Mr Wong, get your client a box of tissues, more water."

Immediately, as if on cue, Flynn's tiresome so-called friends, burst into excited chatter.

"Whoa, you're mom sounds guilty-as! What a badass criminal woman! Hot, real hot. Total MILF!" Callum enthused.

"Damn, this shit is tight!" Evan approved.

"I seriously can't wait for your Pops to come out of hiding. That should make for some kickass trial-shit," Mickey added.

"Dude, are you gonna end up on Trial too? Cuz you were saying a few weeks ago that you were helping your Pops cook," Amos whispered, awestruck.

"I um… I s-said I saw d-d-dad's cooking stuff, didn't… didn't actually c-cook with him," Flynn muttered. Neither were true, but at least the former lie would maintain Flynn's bad-assery, whilst preventing him from landing in handcuffs.

"Oh right. Still crazy hard core though, to see the, like, fancy equipment and shit, he used to make that blue stuff. Totally whack," Amos nodded.

Evan looked at Flynn admiringly. "Y'know, it's a damned shame we never used to hung out before your dad took off. Would've been so awesome to drop by your place, and get to know him."

Mickey shook his head, "Yeah, that woulda been so awesome! I woulda asked him to show me all his science shit. I'd be all like, Hey, Mr White, hypothetically speaking, not saying I'm gonna do it, but if you were to cook some methamphetamine, like, how would you do it? I'm digging the science behind it, Sir."

The boys burst into excited giggles at the prospect, jovially nudging Flynn in the ribs. Flynn ignored them, staring blankly straight ahead. Although for the first time in his life, Flynn was surrounded by friends, he had never felt so alone in his life.

Justice Mayfair smacked her mallet against the table. "Alright everyone, settle down, please. The recess is over, and I would like to call the defendant's attorney to the Stand."

Flynn's obnoxious pals ceased their giggling and excited chatter, ready and eager to watch the rest of the show. The Flynn's-life-sucks Show. Flynn watched forlornly as his mother's young, skinny nervous attorney tottered to the front of the Court. The guy (no scratch that, the kid) looked half as experienced as the Prosecutor and twice as dumb.

Losing interest in the exhaustion of his life, Flynn's mind left the Courtroom. He let his thoughts wander. He thought about his friend, his best friend, his only friend Louis Baker. He was sorry, so very sorry for having pushed the boy away. He ached terribly at the thought of him. He would trade his Heisenberg fan club any day, for a moment alone with Louis to… what? Apologise?

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