Chapter 19. - Court Part 3. -
Day two of the hearing: Sally, Lightning(still in his wheelchair), Doc, and Scarlett arrived at the courthouse. Duncan was there and he gave Sally a copy of Chick's black box. Sally and Doc drove into a conference room to listen to it. Lightning decided that he didn't want to hear what was on the box and remained in the hall. It wasn't long until Chick and Justin arrived. Lightning watched as they drove into the courthouse. Despite the strange look in Justin's eyes, Lightning thought that he looked confident. Something about the way Justin moved, the rhythm of his drive, it reminded him of Sally. He seemed to possess what Lightning liked to call 'lawyer features'. Suddenly, his axle started throbbing. Lightning took a little more of the painkillers than he should have. Soon: The bailiff called everyone into the courtroom. As everyone took their places, Lightning's started to feel the effects of the medicine. Even though he tried to look alert, the medicine was making it hard. His eyes were glassy and his speech was somewhat slurred, something that Justin immediately noticed. It wasn't long until the judge and the committee entered the room.
"Now, let's get on with it." Carlton said "Ms. Carrera, I believe you were…"
"Objection!" Justin called "Mr. McQueen is high on some sort of drug! Just look at him, he can barely keep his eyes open. This case cannot continue! The charges must be dropped!"
Everyone looked at Lightning, who was slouched down in his wheelchair and staring blankly at the ceiling.
"I've been informed of Mr. McQueen's trip to the hospital." Carlton said "Is his physician here? I need to speak to him. Even though we just started, there will be a fifteen minute recess."
As the committee rolled out of the room, Doc rolled towards the bench. Carlton led Doc to a side office where they could speak privately. Roughly half an hour later: The judge and the committee were back in the courtroom.
"Mr. McQueen, I have spoken to your doctor and I'm going to allow this hearing to continue as long as I'm sure you are capable of understanding what's going on. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Your Honor." Lightning said, slurring his speech a little. "You're going to let this hearing continue as long as I can understand what's going on."
Carlton looked pleased with Lightning's answer. "Mr. Sunspur your objection is overruled, for now." He said "Ms. Carrera, you may continue."
Duncan brought in Chick's black box and put it on the table.
"Objection!" Justin said "Conversations between a racecar and his crew chief are private."
"I agree." Carlton said "But during a race, all communications are public record."
The bailiff put Chick's black box into the reader and hit play. He fast-forward it to the accident.
The recording: "Jerry, (Chick's crew chief) this kid is really getting on my fucking nerves." Chick said "I can't let him win this race if I want to win another cup." "Then find a way to take him out! You know how to cause an accident." Jerry said "The league won't do anything about it. They're nothing but a bunch of nitwits." "You mean a bunch of fucking pansies." Chick snapped "Without me, this league would be nothing!" "I don't listen to your advice anymore!" Lightning's voice said angrily. Then, there was the sound of a motor being floored and then Chick's voice. "No you don't, this fucking race belongs to me!" There was a sound of metal grinding against a concrete wall and then a tire blowing out. "Yeah kid, how do you like that?" Chick said laughing "I guess we won't have to worry about him for a while." "Good work." Jerry said "We got this in the bag. Now, I want…"
The bailiff stopped the tape. Even Judge Drake sat in shock. Sally stood up
"I rest my case." She said, before turning to Justin smugly "Your turn."
"I request a fifteen minute recess." Justin said "I need to talk to my client."
"Very well." Carlton said "This court is in recess."
The judge slammed his gavel on the bench. Then he and the committee immediately left the courtroom. Lightning went up to Sally and hugged her.
"I think that we just won." He said "Even the judge was shocked by what he heard."
"I wouldn't be so sure." Sally said "Justin is a great attorney and I don't know what he might pull."
"But we heard Chick in his own words…" Lightning said just as Justin drove up to them "What do you want?"
"I have an offer for you if you drop this case." Justin said "I…"
"No!" Sally said "We are not interested in making a deal with you. What Chick did was unforgivable; he could have killed Lightning."
"Sally listen to me." Justin said "I just want…"
"I said no." Sally said firmly "Go back to your table."
"Lightning, is there some where we can talk?" Justin asked "Man to man."
"I'm in agreement with Sally." Lightning said "I'm not interested in what you have to offer."
Justin returned to his side of the court room. His ego had been knocked down considerably, but he still felt proud to be Chick's attorney. An hour and a half later, the case went to the committee for their verdict.
An hour later: The committee sent word that they were ready with their verdict. Everyone quickly filed back into the court room. Lightning was more awake, seeing that most of the medication had worn off.
"I have been informed that the committee has reached a consensus." Carlton said "Will the foreperson please give the form to the bailiff."
The bailiff retrieved the piece of paper from the car and handed it to the judge. He read it silently and then handed it to the clerk for reading of the verdict. The courtroom was silent; no one dared to utter a sound.
"Mr. Hicks and Mr. Sunspur, please stand for the verdict." Carlton said, as the two cars stood "Miss. Mando(the clerk) could you please read the verdict."
"We the Correction Committee of The Piston Cup Racing League." The clerk read "Find Chick Winston Hicks, guilty of deliberately harming a fellow racecar."
"Thank you, Miss Mando." Carlton said "Chick Winston Hicks, come forward."
Chick stood in front of the judge. His face portrayed shock and fury as he realized what was about to happen.
"You have been found guilty by the Disciplinary Committee." Carlton said "Do you have anything to say to the court or to your victim before I sentence you?"
"No." Chick said "There's no reason."
"Very well, since this is a civil hearing I can't send you to jail for your actions, however I would love to. Because what I heard on your black box, I am sending this case to the district attorney's office for review. It's up to them to determine if you or your crew chief will face criminal charges." Carlton said "Chick Winston Hicks, I sentence you to suspension from any racetrack for the rest of the season. Pay Lightning McQueen's entire legal, medical, and rehabilitation expenses. *Chick glared at Lightning, Lightning returned the look with a dark, hateful glare of his own.* "On a personal note... Mr. Hicks, you're a great racecar. Stop all this bull crap you been doing and focus on racing. Court dismissed."
The judge slammed his gavel on the bench. Then he and the committee immediately left the courtroom.
"We did it!" Sally exclaimed happily "We don't have to worry about Chick getting the Piston Cup!"
"It was all you!" Lightning said, giving Sally a huge kiss, not caring that cameras were recording his every move. "Doc and I never would have thought about using black boxes!"
Lightning felt a huge weight lift from his hood. The bailiff gave Chick his black box. Chick boarded his trailer after leaving the courtroom, without talking to anyone. The trailer then left for parts unknown. Once outside, Sally and Lightning was swamped with reporters wanting to talk to them. They spent nearly an hour answering questions from the media. With Scarlett and a few other deputies, they headed back to the Cozy Cone. As Sally and Lightning rolled into the office, they saw that Justin was waiting for them.
"What do you want?" Sally asked harshly "Although I probably know already."
Disregarding Sally's comment, Justin decided to seize the moment.
"Sal…I" he started "I just want…"
"Don't even say it." Sally snapped, cutting him off "And don't call me Sal. You know I hate being called that."
Justin was puzzled; this wasn't turning out the way he had planned.
"Look, I know you're mixed up about everything, but I've got it sorted out, so you don't have to worry about it." Justin said confidently, making Sally squint her eyes in disbelief. "Let me take you away from here. We don't have to go back to LA; I know you don't like it there. We'll find a nice place and…"
he rattled on like a pre-programmed robot.
"Justin are you crazy?" Sally hissed "How many times do I have to tell you! I don't want to be with you!"
"The hearing's over, you don't have to keep playing hard to get." he said "I thought…"
"You thought what?" Sally snapped "I would climb happily back into my old life?"
"Well yes." Justin explained "I know I made mistakes, but I can fix them. We have to try again."
"No, you had your chance." Sally said "I'm with Lightning now and I could not be happier. Go back to LA and find someone who will tolerate your male chauvinistic bullshit… There's the door, now get out!"
"But…Sally!" Justin whined "I…"
"I said get out!" Sally demanded "Or I'll have Scarlett arrest you for trespassing!"
"I'm leaving." Justin said "When you find out you have made a mistake; don't you dare come crawling back to me."
He turned around and left without another word. Sally was unaware that she was shaking with anger.
"Sweetheart relax." Lightning said "Come with me, I think you need a drink."
"Why? What for?" Sally asked angerly "Do you want to get me drunk so you can have your way with me?"
"No, I wasn't thinking that kind of drink!" Lightning said; he was, but he wasn't going to tell her that "Flo has a calming effect on you. So, I thought we would go have some of that fruit drink that you love… You know, the one that Flo makes herself."
Sally leaned forward and gently kissed him.
"I'm sorry Light, Justin makes me so furious." She said "I wasn't thinking straight. Yes, I would love a drink."
"Good, that's my girl." Lightning said as he got out of the wheelchair "You won't be drunk, but can I have 'my way' with you tonight? See… it doesn't hurt for me to get out of the wheelchair."
He danced carefully and a little playfully around her.
"I'll think about it." Sally said "And only if you're a good boy… now, get your butt back into that wheelchair, or do I have to tell Doc you were out of it."
Lightning sighed as he climbed back into the chair before following Sally to Flo's.
Three months later:
"Good Kid." Doc said "Bring it in."
"Thanks." Lightning said catching his breath. "What was my time?"
"Sixty-two seconds." Doc said "You're getting faster!"
"Awesome!" Lightning said playfully "Could I try one more time, please?"
"You're going to re-break your fucking axle." Doc said frowning "I think I've spent enough time working on you."
"I won't break my axle!" Lightning retorted "Come on, please… it won't kill me!"
"Fine." Doc said, giving in "Go line up."
Lightning turned around and stopped on the starting line.
"On your mark, get set…" Doc said "Wait for it… GO!"
Lightning shot off towards the sloped turn. Moments later: He grinned as he power slid around the flat turn and sped across the finish line.
"Fifty-nine seconds." Doc said "I'm impressed."
"More awesomeness!" Lightning exclaimed "That's my best yet!"
"You're done for today." Doc said "Go get something to eat at Flo's. I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning."
"Great!" Lightning said "Bye Doc!"
He turned and drove up the road that let to Flo's. Moments later: Lightning pulled into the café.
"What will you have Sugar?" Flo asked as she approached him "You look hungry enough to eat a whole tractor."
"I am, what do you have ready? I'm starving!" Lightning said "Doc has been working my rear fender off."
"The special of the day." Flo said "Which is meatloaf, mashed potatoes, peas and for dessert, rice pudding."
"That sounds good." Lightning said "I'll have that, but with a double serving of meatloaf."
"What do you want to drink?" Flo asked "I just made a fresh batch of iced tea."
"Could I have a beer, please?" Lightning asked quietly "I know that Doc doesn't like me drinking. But tonight, I need one."
Lightning never fully understood why Doc didn't like him drinking. He was almost fully recovered from the wreck and was not taking any medication. So, there was no medical reason for him not to drink.
"You're over the legal age." Flo said "It doesn't matter to me if you have a beer once and a while. What you've gone through these last few months, I'm surprised you're not drinking more. Give me a few minutes. I'll have it right out to you."
While waiting for his food to come, Lightning's cell phone started ringing.
"Hello?" he asked "Hi Mom!"
"Hello Sweetie!" Bella said through the receiver. "I'm sorry I haven't visited in a month. Brody screwed up big time, and I had to take care of his legal issues."
"What did he do this time?" Lightning asked "Even though I'm not sure if I really want to know."
"He robbed a liquor store." Bella sighed "I'm surprised you haven't heard. It's been all over the local news."
"Are you kidding me?" Lightning asked "I haven't heard a word about it. But Doc has been working me very hard. I haven't had time to watch TV. Is Brody still in jail?"
"Yes he is." Bella said "Your father and I have decided we're not bailing him out. It's likely Brody will be in jail until his trial because we're sure none of the bail bondsman are going to take a chance with him. Brody skipped town the last time he was granted bail. It took six weeks and a bounty hunter to find him."
"Somehow, I'm not surprised." Lightning said "Not to change the subject, but everyone here misses you."
"I miss you guys too." Bella said "How is your training going?"
"Really good." Lightning said "I mean it's a little slow, but you know me."
Bella laughed as Flo brought Lightning's food out.
"Hang on Mom." Lightning said "Flo, you're the best."
"I gave you a special can of oil." Flo said as she winked at him "If you need anything else to eat, just let me know."
"Sweetie, tell Flo hello." Bella said over the phone "I'll visit her the next time I'm there."
"Flo, Mom says hi." Lightning said "She'll visit the next time she's here."
Flo was with another guest, so she waved to let Lightning know that she heard him. Lightning took a drink out of the oil can and was surprised; it was the beer he had asked for. Lightning wondered why she did that, until he saw Doc and Sheriff pull in to an empty parking spot.
"When do you think you'll be back?" Lightning asked "I never thought I'll say this but, I miss you."
"I miss you too." Bella said "It's going to be another week or so before I can come."
"Great!" Lightning said happily "I'll let everyone know." "I have to go now. What do you think of me bringing your father along?"
"Sounds good." Lightning said "Does he have the time?"
Lightning and his father never had a close relationship, but then again, he hadn't had a relationship with his mother until a couple of months ago.
"They're wrapping up a movie." Bella said "Riley promised that we would take a vacation once they were done."
"Just let me know when you're coming." Lightning said "That way we can reserve a room for you."
"Okay." Bella said "I'll see you later." Lightning hung up the phone and finished his food.
Lightning drove to the Cozy Cone. With the hearing over, the town was once again quiet and peaceful.
"There you are!" Sally said, looking up as Lightning drove in "How did your training go?"
"Great!" Lightning said "I sprinted around Willy's Butte in fifty-nine seconds."
She drove up to Lightning and kissed him.
"I'm so proud of you!" Sally said "You're training well!"
"Yeah! Other than being tired, I'm not complaining." Lightning said "Mom called."
"Oh good!" Sally said "What did she say?"
"She'll be here in a week or so." Lightning responded "And she's bringing my dad… Anyway, I'm going to watch some racing videos at Doc's office. Do you want to come?"
"I can't. I'm waiting for some guests to arrive. They said they were going to be here by now, but I think they're running late." Sally said "Just don't get depressed or anything."
"I'll try." Lightning said "Come on over when you get the chance."
Lightning drove to Doc's office. He found the DVD of his wreck and put it into the player.
"Hey Rookie!" Doc said rolling through the door "What are you doing?"
"Hey!" Lightning said absentmindedly "I'm just watching some racing videos."
Lightning scrutinized the moment right before Chick slammed him into the wall.
"Did you come from the Cozy Cone?" Doc asked "Did you talk to Sally?"
"Yeah." Lightning replied, in the same absentminded tone he had used before "She's waiting on guests to arrive, so she couldn't come with me."
"Have you thought about proposing to her?" Doc asked "Are you sure she's the one?"
Lightning snapped to attention.
"I-I-I've thought about it." he stammered "I mean; we've only been dating for a year… I'm positive she's the one… but I don't know… right now, I'm focusing on my recovery."
Doc laughed.
"I didn't mean to scare you. Bella called me a few days ago. She wanted to know if you have proposed to Sally. Your mother didn't want to be overbearing like she was in your relationship with Chelsea." Doc explained "Believe me Kiddo; I'm no longer interested in fucking up your personal life."
"Oh, so you moved to fucking Sophia." Lightning said playfully "That explains a lot."
Doc glared at him so hard, that Lightning swore that he was trying to set him ablaze.
"Sorry, it's just the last time I was pushed into proposing, it fell through." Lightning said as he restarted the DVD of his wreck "I don't want to rush things."
"Don't keep watching that." Doc said "You'll drive yourself crazy."
"I know." Lightning sighed "But if I had just waited and taken the inside line, I would have…"
"Kid, don't live where you could have done something." Doc interrupted "What happened, happened. There's nothing we can do about it except get back on the track and kick ass, namely Chick's."
"That's true." Lightning laughed "I need to keep watching. So I can fix any mistakes."
"Not being a hot-hood and show off would fix everything." Doc playfully said "But I can't say I didn't do the same thing when I was your age. I'll see you later. I'll be at Sophia's if you need me… but call first."
"Ok, will do." Lightning said in an absentminded tone "Bye Doc."
Doc saw Lightning was not paying attention to him "Rookie." Doc said "Seriously… call first."
"Okkkkaaaayyyy! I don't want to see you fucking Sophia so I will." Lightning said, Doc glared at him "You give me hell about Sally. Now that you and Sophia are screwing each other, I'm getting in some payback."
Doc grumbled something and left his office.
COMMENTS:
Guest 2
Justin's being very unprofessional bringing up subjects that bare no relevance on the case of the hearing. Good job the judge is on hand to admonish Justin's dirty mouth.- You know how some layers are... they are greasy slime balls. They only care for the money and northing else
Chick's such a dickhood not cooperating til then.- Chick knows he's guilty. He's trying everything not to get caught. He also know that he's in hot water with the league if they find out what's on his box.
Some pain you feel explaining your past but your loved one has a right to know. Real hot that was getting between Lightning and Sally.- I wrote it to set up what happens in court. Hopefully it came out correctly... and a little funny.
Doc did good responding too.- Yep, Doc comes to Lightning's rescue… again. It's something he's gotten used to.
I see you've got another reader here. Welcome Dylan- He's not a truly new reader. He was a frequent commenter for Destiny.
Guest. Pardon me I misread that- Oh no! An oops! LOL! I'm glad to see that I'm not they only one who makes mistakes!
If this is any good Chick should also get charged for lying to the disciplinary board about his actions coz dishonesty to cover up your guilt is offensive.- It's in the next story, Chick gets punished for lying to the league.
I'd like to see Lightning stand up for Sally when confronting Justin that he can't have Sally anymore. If you've got something better I'd like to be surprised- Sally is a strong woman, she really doesn't need Lightning to stand up for her. She puts Justin in his place a little on in the story.
I do not own Cars or any of its characters. PIXAR AND DISNEY CLAIM THAT RIGHT. READING ENJOYMENT ONLY
Please read and review! I need criticism and encouragements! Rated M for language and sex.