The One Where Chandler is Wrongly Accused
By: Jana~
Chapter Two
*****~*****
--Monica had never been so scared. She considered herself an intelligent, strong woman, but as she and Chandler waited for the locked doors to open, she felt like neither. A thousand scenarios flitted through her mind; possible scenarios to how it would all turn out. Chandler being sent to jail was the most upsetting.
--If they wanted him to post bail, because he was jobless, would they have the money to survive after dropping a huge chunk of their savings on a bail-bond?
She looked around at the other people waiting in the cold morning breeze, wondering briefly if any of them were worried about the process ahead of them. She looked at her watch - seven thirty. The letter said to be at the courthouse at seven thirty.
"They'll probably be opening the doors soon," she muttered to Chandler; he just nodded in response.
When the heavy-set Jamaican woman stepped outside the doors, her clothes indicating that she was police or security, the growing crowd looked to her. Those who had been sitting stood, and Monica took Chandler's hand in hers.
"When you enter," the guard began the speech she obviously had given countless times, "Ladies, put your purses on the conveyer belt and empty your pockets into one of the trays provided. Men, empty all your pockets into one of the trays provided, then step aside so that others behind you can approach the conveyer. When I tell you, walk through the metal detectors and be prepared to be searched or patted down."
"If you do not wish to be searched or patted down, you may as well leave now. If you have belongings you do not wish to be scanned, leave them in your car or take them home, or leave them with someone else to hold. If you enter this building, it is understood that you agree to have your belongings scanned. If you do not want them scanned, do not enter this building. Once through the metal detectors, you need to check the calendar for your name."
"If your name is on the calendar: if you are C1, you are to take a seat and wait to be called. If you are C2, you are to take a seat and wait to be called. If you are C3, you are to stand in a line at the far wall and wait to be called. If your name is not on the calendar, you need to stand in line on the red tape and talk to a clerk. The clerk will tell you what section you are to wait in. You must check the calendar before you ask any questions. I will not answer any questions if you haven't looked at the calendar."
When the guard gestured for Monica to enter, she quickly did what she was instructed to do, placing her purse and the contents of her pockets on the conveyer belt and stepping aside; Chandler followed suit.
Once through the metal detectors, the guard ran a metal-detecting wand around and about her.
"Lift your pant legs so I can see your ankles," the guard instructed, and Monica complied. "K." The woman gestured for her to step aside, then gestured for Chandler to approach.
She did the same basic procedure to Chandler, then gestured for him to step aside as well.
After collecting their belongings off the conveyer belt, they headed for the calendar.
"Bing, Chandler - C2," Monica announced in a quiet voice, tapping the paper-on-cork-board, and he nodded.
"So, now we sit." Chandler pointed to a bench seat, and they both sat awkwardly as they waited.
--Monica watched as people began to fill the semi-large room, anxiety over what was to come causing her to fidget and bite her lip. She looked over at Chandler, his head hung low, in a suit for the first time since he'd been fired.
He looked tired, and not just because he hadn't slept the night before. She felt him leave the bed at 1 a.m., 3 a.m., and 5 a.m., then, finally, was up for good at six. Her sleep wasn't the most restful of sleeps, but she did manage to get about 3 hours. Her husband however, got less than two.
--She placed her hand on his knee and he looked up at her touch.
"How you doin?"
He shrugged. "Ok. I keep flip-flopping. One minute, I think everything'll be ok, then, I think the worst."
She nodded and rubbed his leg. "I know. Me too," she admitted.
She tried to be strong for him, or at least appear strong, but it was hard. He knew her too well, and knew she was just as stressed, worried, and uneasy as he was.
--The wait was long. They waited outside before the Jamaican guard opened the door at 7:30 for nearly a half-hour, then they waited from 7:30 till nine, before the gray-haired bailiff finally opened the courtroom and called for them to enter.
"If you are appearing before the judge, sit in the front row. If you are not, sit anywhere else."
Monica kissed Chandler softly before releasing his hand. "I love you." She mouthed the words inaudibly, and he forced a tiny smile before walking to the front and taking a seat.
Monica sat in the back, nervously chewing on her lips and hair as she waited for situation to unfold before her.
"I will be handing out to you," the bailiff explained, "A piece of paper that advises you of your rights. Initial in the boxes at the left and sign the bottom. If you are wishing to plead guilty, let me know and I will fill out the back of the form. You will need to then sign at the bottom."
She watched as Chandler took the form and read it over, initialing and signing where he was supposed to, leaving the back 'guilty-plead' portion untouched.
The judge seemed nice, and in a good mood… 'Better than a mean judge in a bad mood,' Monica thought to herself.
--The judge called Chandler first.
"Mr. Bing, good morning."
"Good morning," he returned politely.
"Do you understand the charges against you?"
"Yes ma'am."
"And how do you wish to plead at this time?"
"Not guilty."
She nodded. "Your pre-trial date is set for 2 weeks from today. Can you afford an attorney?"
"No ma'am."
"Are you employed?"
"No, your honor."
"How do you support yourself?"
"My wife's income, at the moment," he admitted with embarrassment, turning and pointing to Monica, who was sitting on the edge of her seat in the back row of the courtroom.
"A public defender will be provided to you at no cost. However, if your financial situation changes, you may need to pay some fees at a later time."
"Ok."
"You are released on 'OR' until your pre-trial date. Have a seat sir and the bailiff will provide you with some paperwork to fill out."
Monica let out a breath she didn't realize she had been keeping as the judge went on to the next case without pause. She literally felt her heart slow from the race it had begun as she realized, her husband wasn't going to jail. At least, not before trial.
--They left the courthouse and headed immediately home, their lack of sleep and relief in the knowledge that they wouldn't be apart while awaiting trial suddenly causing them to be extremely tired.
They quickly explained the events of the morning to their friends, then excused themselves as they went into their room, peeled off their clothes, and fell into bed. They were asleep within mere minutes, snuggled together, physically and mentally exhausted, but optimistic about the events to come.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Please review! And MTLBYAKY