Rewrote my plans for this turnabout. Whether or not it stays true to the actual games is up to you. Now let's point that finger!

A lean face, hair akin to that of Albert Einstein's, and headgear looking like a phoropter, this is how Blake Biffekell had appeared to the people in court.

"Witness, please state your name and profession." Gaspen requested.

"Blake Biffekell," he answered, casually fiddling with the lenses on his tool, as if by second nature, "Dentist of Biffekell Dental."

"'Dental'?" Julias asked, "Then what's with the... Um..." (I don't even know what they're called.) "What's with the glasses?"

"My phoropter? Only mere advertisement for my other business."

"You're an Optician too?" The Judge assumed.

"When I'm on the other side of the lake, I am. I leave the phoropter at the office and don braces for my dentistry."

(Are those beach-goers blind and toothless or something?!)

"Witness," Gaspen continued, "Where were you at the time of death?"

"I was mostly unavailable at the time. I had to discuss something with the police."

"Police? What happened? Were you robbed?" The Judge guessed.

"Precisely!" Biffekell confirmed a little too cheerily, raising his hands as if shrugging. "How'd you know? Are YOU the burglar?"

"ACK! No! No! I'm a judge for cripe's sake!"

"We are getting off track here," Gaspen reminded, "we must continue. Witness did you know the victim before his death?"

"Pearliest whites I'd ever seen."

(He sounds like he wants them as souvenirs.)

"May I ask the same for the defendant, then?"

"Lex, on the other hand, could use a lot more floss."

"We want to know your relationship with the defendant, not his dental records!" Julias interjected. (And that much info will never let me sleep tonight.)

"Oh... I guess." Blake answered unsurely, as if he had forgotten who they were talking about.

"Witness, would you please tes-"

HOLD IT!

(... That must've been too loud, The judge looks like he'd have a heart attack!)

"Mr. Freedom!" The Judge barked, "I'd appreciate it if you held your voice down, We ALREADY have a lawyer too fond of his voice!"

"Heh, sorry, though I think my mentor got the worst of it." He looked at Adrian, who was already flexing an ear with his finger.

"Well... Since you have both our attention, what is it you want to tell the court?"

"Mr Biffekell," Julias began, "You just now mentioned that you were robbed? I hear were getting a large rash of that lately. Since we're on the subject, is there anything you'd like to tell the court before testifying?"

"Didn't see a thing, the guy's a pro!"

(Not exactly something you'd give praise over...) "No further questions, your honor."

"Good, then. Witness, will you please testify what you saw on the night of the murder?"

WITNESS TESTIMONY

-What I Saw-

"Like I said, I was clearing some things up with the police."

"I saw that the discussion ended earlier than I expected. I thought that if I hurried, I could actually keep Lex's appointment. Unfortunately, I didn't make it."

"However, when I DID get there, I saw two people out in the boat, way out on the lake. It looked like they were fighting."

"In no time at all, the killer whacked the victim's head against the engine."

"I heard, but I didn't see the actual act of dropping the victim's body into the lake, because I had turned around to get to my phone in the office."

"I turned around again after a hearing a bang and a hiss. Before turning around, I also heard someone give a holler."

"All I saw then was the killer jumping out of the boat and then soaking himself with water from a pail."

The Judge nodded nobly, "Mr. Freedom, are you ready to proceed?"

"Proceed with..."

"Cross-Examination." Adrian prompted.

"Cross-Examination."

This time, The Judge shook his head, "Some people say my hearing is going, but I heard your mentor clear as day. Suffice to say, that worries me."

"Sorry, your honor."

"You remember how to do this, Julias?" Adrian asked?

(Do I remember...?) "I... Don't."

"Oh well, it's very simple. Compare the testimony to the Court Record in any way possible. When you find something, a contradiction in either, that's your cue to demand an explanation. In the form of an objection, of course. If you need details, press the witness anywhere you must."

"All right I'll try my best." Julias turned to face the court. "The defense is now ready to Cross-Examine the witness."

Court Record:

Evidence:

- Attorney's Badge: This badge is a must for all attorneys. Taking the defense desk without one is a federal offense.
- Motor Photo: a photo of the speedboat's ruptured engine. This is apparently the cause for the burns on the Defendant's face.
- Admittance File: The file that was made for the Defendant's hospitalization for burns to the face.
- Appointment Memo: A memo from the dentist at Biffekell dental, apologizing for the cancelation of an appointment with the Defendant.
- Autopsy Report: Aside from drowning, the report also tells of two, nasty bruises on the victim's forehead.
- Crime Scene Diagram: A diagram showing the locations of witnesses, the killer, the victim, and other things.

Profiles:

- Adrian Hawkfenn: My mentor. He's about to guide me through my first case. Hopefully he knows when to stop me before I embarrass myself.
- Lex Stisken: The defendant. I've known him since high school, and is Irritatingly insistent that we be "friends".
- Gaspen Payne: The prosecutor for this case. Younger brother of Winston "rookie-killer" Payne, and ten times more tenacious.
- Blake Biffekell: An eccentric dentist who also works as an optician. He witnessed the murder from his office.

I think I'm getting better at this... I think.

THX & God bless

~RLS legacy