Usefulness
by Rob Morris
"Why do I have to bring her to court with me? She'll miss school, her teachers will whine, and I have told you, her father is a menace to her."
Shin Hagiwara had read a book, one by an American real estate developer. She had thought she would find wealth tips inside it, but the man bragged (through his ghost writer) mainly of himself. However, she had seen something she found to be of great use over the years. In essence, crime, punishment and litigation could be put off or extended for so long, those seeking redress would be forced to give up. As long as you were steadfast, inevitably they would dither and fail. So it had been with her wretched husband and the child.
"In court, she will be protected. The judge is responding to the other attorney's demands that they not just accept our word that she is safe. This has been overall going our way. Defying the judge is a good fast way to change all that."
If her own attorney, who had caught her in a few 'difficulties reconciling the truth' wondered if the charges themselves were yet another instance of this, he kept these concerns quiet. He had enough deniability to protect himself, though she was checking even this amoral stance.
"Can't we just let the judge see her, and get her out right after?"
The attorney was about to ask if he thought the girl would be molested right there in court, but challenging her was not worth his time or the headaches this would bring.
"His attorney has the right to be there, and so does he. We've played at the edges of this, and I think it's worked. But if you honestly want her to remain yours, we need to do it this way."
He immediately regretted his choice of words. It was sure to set her off. So very much did. He swore he would take the chastisement of his senior partners and drop the case this time.
"I will prepare her to appear in court, then."
He left, wondering how he had lucked out and not really caring. He also decided that, when the judge made a choice, he was seeking another case, passing this one on to whatever noob the firm hired next.
"Mayu-chan, you will come here."
In fact, he had raised a concern that tapped into her self-centered desires. Her late brother had known exactly how to do this. The man divorcing her had never quite grasped it.
"Yes, Mama."
The girl had her uses, Shin had to admit. At her age, her devotion to and dependence upon her mother meant no room for defiance or distraction Her obedience at school meant no reports or conferences. Mayu was the nail that did not stick out, and would never need to be hammered down, and yet, this is just what would happen in all senses of the word.
"Your Papa has died. I was trying to be a good mother, and protect you from this news. But now, a man claiming to be his business partner has gone to court to take our home from us. Do you wish to cause us to lose our home, Mayu-Chan?"
One day, Mayu would have a new Papa. A younger, frustrating but caring man, who seemed to have amnesia yet was mostly gaslighting himself. When Mayu studied what this 'gas-lighting' meant, her blood boiled as she realized how often and how early her mother had enacted this upon her.
"Mama, Mayu would not wish to make our grief at Papa's passing any worse, or lose our lovely home."
The girl was determined that, just as her good Mama had protected her from this sad news, she would protect her Mama from her own tears. These would come soon.
"We will need to go to the court house. When we do, you must only look at the judge and say that you are alright. The corrupt partner has actors and recordings of your Papa's voice. You must ignore these entirely, no matter how real they seem, or they will make you and your Mama into dirty street people while they live in our home."
As long as she had the girl, others would see her as a good responsible person. No one would speak against her. She would have the respect she deserved.
"Mayu will do all this, for her Mama and for her Papa's beloved memory. No one will trick Mayu into thinking what is false is real - because Mama loves Mayu more than anything."
*Mayu-chan? Look at me. It's Papa - I'm right over here. Look at me-please?*