Chapter 15
"One Last Party"
By the time that everything was finished on restoring the Viridian City Palace of Justice to its glory before Team Rocket converted it into a Pokemon gym, the trial had been set for Memorial Day, May 30, 2011. It may have been a federal holiday, but for the judicial system, there was no such thing as a holiday. I made sure that our team was thinking about the 3,000 people who died in New York, Washington and Shanksville plus the 2,000 people who died over the Atlantic Ocean and how none of them were being treated to a three day weekend or any holiday for that matter. And so, on the Friday before the trial was to start, the US Army sponsored a welcoming ball at the Hilton Viridian for all those who would be attending the trial and for those who would be taking part in it.
"This simultaneous translation business," laughed Judge Jones as we drank glasses of champagne. "It's like taking a room in the Taj Mahal hotel and may I assure you, whoever tried on those electronic earmuffs…"
"That's earphones, Judge Jones," chuckled Harry.
"…Earphones," finished Judge Jones. "Whoever invented them, did not try them over a barister's wig."
"Oh, not to worry," added Harry. "On you and your colleagues, they'll be most becoming."
"We'll have to change our style then now, won't we?" remarked Judge Jones.
Amanda then took notice of Captain Hopkins, who was the psychologist assigned to keep the prisoners alive and sane. She liked the fact that someone was there to keep the prisoners alive and well during this trial and by any means necessary was she going to do just that.
"What do you think of Captain Hopkins, Jeff?" she asked. "Do you think she'll be able to keep the prisoners alive?"
"I hope so, Amanda," I replied. "That suicide attempt has really put us under pressure. I want us to win 40 clear convictions before everything is all said and done."
"That is, if you can get them," remarked Amanda. "Remember what you were told before you came here."
"I know, I know," I said nonchantily. "I won't win them all. But, I hope so."
Just then, I noticed the arrival of Judge Biddle who was just coming into the ballroom. It had been three weeks since I last saw him that day at Café Hon and I assumed that he brought his uncle's gavel with him.
"John," I said, shaking his hand. "It's good to see you again. How was your flight?"
"It wasn't bad," he replied. "It was a quick layover in Los Angeles and a long flight from there to Tokyo. It gave me the opportunity to prepare myself for the trial."
He then pulled out the gavel from his coat pocket and showed it to me and Amanda. I knew right then and there that he was expecting me to name the two presidents of the tribunal.
"Well, John," I said. "I think you are expecting me to name the nominations for presidents of the tribunal."
"I am," he said. "What have you decided?"
"I've decided on you and Judge Conrad," I said. "We need seniority to lead this trial from here on in. Considering the experience that they have had, they are qualified for the position."
John was taking a back for a second as he wasn't expecting to become the American President of the Court. John always wanted to share the glory with someone else and that being one the presidents of the court was not something he had in mind.
"I thought Judge Avery was the man I had wanted," protested John. "This is probably the last appointment of his career, Jeff. This is how he's going out."
"John, James' role will be of significant importance," I said. "But, the President feels that you deserve this moment more than anyone. I know for a fact that Judge Avery will finish his career with great honor. After all, this is good practice for you to take his place. I assure you."
John wasn't sure about this, but he knew that he had to take the lead on this matter as Amanda and I led him over to meet Harry and the British Judges. Meanwhile, Harry's deputy prosecutor, Hermione Watson was chattering with Shawn, Andrew and Matt about the defendants themselves.
"Well, if there is ever a moment where a defendant kills themselves," she said. "Who should we get to replace that person in the dock?"
"It's not a Broadway show, Hermione," laughed Shawn. "Why don't we just get an understudy? I mean there are plenty more Pokemon Criminal Operatives out there. I've been getting information on them day after day."
"How are you getting information out of them, Shawn?" asked Hermione. "You aren't using estranged tactics, are you?"
"Well, if they are behaving themselves and cooperating," said Andrew. "Then Shawn goes easy on them. If not, they get water boarded until they cooperate."
"All in the days work of U.S. Army interrogation," he sighed as he drank his glass of champagne. Just then, they saw us return with Judge Biddle as I introduced him to Harry and the British Judges. The four of them suddenly took notice of how upset John was.
"Biddle doesn't look too happy," said Shawn. "Something must have happened."
"He's going to be the American President of the Tribunal," said Matt. "I read the order from President Obama."
A shudder went through the backs of our team upon hearing those words, for John was a rookie at this, but he had presided over many Pokemon related trials and President Obama thought that he was ready for this opportunity. At that moment, Judge James Avery, the man who John wanted to be the American President of the court, got up to the microphone at the sounds of the drumroll.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," he said, raising his glass in a toast. "Please, a salute to my colleagues in the law, where from this day forward, we will use the law to speak our minds and not behave like dogs on a leash. To the law!"
"To the Law!" cried the crowd and then the band began playing slow dance music and Harry and Hermione joined the rest of the dancers on the dance floor. I extended my hand out to Amanda in an effort to dance with me.
"May I have this dance?" I asked, causing her to blush.
"I don't want to embarrass myself," she whispered.
"We have a few days," I said. "Let's embarrass ourselves."
So, we walked out to the dance floor and danced to several well-known waltzes, knowing that this would be the last night of fun before the trial would begin on the following Monday…