Version 1.0 (1/7/09)

THE PARKING TICKET

Part IV

Speeding down the road again, the moon now shrouded in mysterious silvery clouds, Edgeworth realized how dreamlike the foggy fields seemed. He pondered stopping for coffee somewhere, but quickly dismissed the idea at the thought of Franziska's reaction. Franziska yawned as she watched the turnoff signs absentmindedly.

"We'll go pick up your car tomorrow," Edgeworth said.

"What do you mean, 'we.'"

"Well, you'll need some way of getting to the impound lot, won't you?"

"Are you suggesting that I don't know how to call a cab or take a bus?"

"Not at all."

"I can get there myself."

"I'm aware of that."

"Well then..."

"I thought it would be more convenient for you, given your busy schedule and your irrational attachment to the car," he said, smiling condescendingly.

"How dare you mock me," she muttered, too exhausted for one of her usual tirades.

-----------------------

"You have no evidence to support those claims, you fool!" she shouted, punctuating her statement with her whip.

"Oh really now?" Edgeworth replied, wagging his finger at her. "Well, I think the court is far less foolish than you think. This evidence has obviously been tampered with."

"Hmph, it's not as if you've never done such a thing."

"I'm afraid that's beside the point."

"Stop acting so self-righteous, Miles Edgeworth!"

"I would be happy to...if you would as well."

"Grrrr!" she shouted, leaping over the court bench with her whip in hand. "This will end now!"

"Franziska," he said softly, grabbing her shoulder.

-----------------------

"Franziska."

She jolted awake. Her arm accidentally hit his face as she unconsciously continued the motions of her dream for a brief moment.

"Hm?" she replied. "What do you want!?"

"Coffee," Edgeworth said, touching his face where it had been hit.

"What about it?"

"Would you like to stop for some coffee? You seem rather exhausted."

"Let's just get back to the city," she said, turning away from him. What does he think this is, a date or something, she thought, rolling her eyes.

***

"And here at Midnite Morning DeLuxe, it's nearly time to sign off. Here's one last smooth track for all you night birds out there," the quiet, sultry voice on the radio said, fading out into delicate cymbal brushes and a slow, deep bass walk.

The car's headlights shone into the purplish shadows of very early morning. Cold fog silhouetted the clean lines of the glass-and-steel modernist house perched on the cliff.

"Papa, I don't want to go on the plane," Franziska mumbled in her sleep.

Her childish recollection made him realize how fragile she looked, slumped over in her seat, curled up defensively in the opposite direction. Yes, when she wasn't confronting him in her usual manner, she was almost cute. Best leave her there for the time being.

*

Edgeworth picked up the phone inside.

"Miss Skye," he said.

"M-M-Mr. Edgeworth..." Ema replied. "What a surprise, er, I mean...what do you want?"

"You wouldn't mind answering the phone in my office for another day? I'm taking this morning off."

"Well, of course..." she began, pausing as Pearl Fey entered the room, "...I might not really be able to, because, er...you see...I have this babysitting thing, and..." Her voice grew pained. This is the opportunity of a lifetime, Ema! When has Mr. Edgeworth asked you to do something for him before?! This must mean that he-

"I realize it's inconvenient, but I will compensate you for your time."

Ema's heart jumped. "Compensate"...such a deliciously vague expression...

"Yes!" she said excitedly.

"Excuse me?"

"I'll do it! It's no problem! Just leave it to me!" Ema shot back cheerfully, hanging up the phone. "Yes!" she shouted, striking a victory pose atop the couch.

"What happened?" Pearl said, tilting her head in confusion.

"It doesn't matter," Ema laughed, smiling dreamily to herself. "Anyway, Pearl, we're going on a field trip."

"What's a field trip?" Pearl asked, looking a bit concerned.

"Something wonderful."

*

Franziska awoke to a sore neck.

"Curses," she muttered, stretching.

Miles' car... What was I doing here again?

The events of the previous day came creeping back slowly as she stepped out of the car. Edgeworth - where was he, anyway?

He'd better not be in my house, she thought, clenching her fists.

She opened the glass door, noting the fingerprints carelessly smudging its shiny surface, and walked into the sun-filled sitting room. Edgeworth sat on her couch, reading her newspaper, engulfed in the world news section. A swirl of coffee steam floated around his head.

"You!" she shouted, pointing her well-used finger accusingly at him.

Edgeworth wheeled around in surprise, spilling his coffee. He sighed in irritation, putting the newspaper onto a nearby coffee table.

"You wouldn't happen to have a new suit, would you, Franziska?" he said, so calmly that it was a bit unsettling.

"Who said you could just sit down on my couch and read my newspaper?"

"I didn't think it would bother you so much," he replied, trying not to laugh.

"Hmph."

"My suit."

"What, Miles? Do you expect me to clean it for you?" she said, grinning maliciously. "You know that I don't have a washing machine. Everything I own gets sent to the cleaners."

She paused, enjoying his sullen frustration.

"I haven't touched your room since you were last here. I'm sure there are some clothes in there. And I'm sure they'd still fit you...well enough."

Besides, you could use a new look anyhow, you fool, she thought, examining his oddly-hued magenta ensemble.

"I'm sure," he muttered, heading off to his room.

-

Edgeworth opened the door. A flood of memories ran through his mind as he recalled the years he'd lived in the house while going to law school. Franziska had taken over the house when she'd come back to the States permanently, but had thankfully left his room untouched. She'd certainly wanted me to leave, though. How could I forget that day when she'd arrived to use her 'vacation home' a couple of years ago.

"Papa bought you this house, and you can afford your own place now!" she'd shouted, throwing books at him.

Edgeworth smiled and shook his head. She's grown since then. As much as she denied it, he suspected that her father virtually ignoring her for so many years had upset her emotionally. She'd always had trouble coming to terms with her emotions. I suppose you could attribute it to her 'von Karma perfectionism.' How much anguish I went through myself subscribing to the same philosophy...

"Hurry up, I want to go get my car back," Franziska said from behind the closed door.

"Yes, Franziska," he muttered, you silly...spoiled...pretentious...ridiculous...little girl.

Edgeworth opened the closet.

No. Some suits from his rookie days, custom-made, German, almost military-like, greeted him as a moth flew out of the closet. Why did I ever let Mr. von Karma help me order suits, he thought, selecting the least ostentatious of the three.

To be continued....


Author Notes

Hullo again, everyone. As usual, I hope you enjoyed the latest installment.