Lesson L Main?

Back to First L Story?

future   firm   amount   demand   accept    judge   paint   responsible    space   apply  desire  officer   doubt    private    exist   alone   respect   attempt   committee   moral  employ   improve   detail   account   sort   reduce   attention   suppose   vote   price   foreign   strike   instead   trial   opportunity   recognize   permit   serious   attack   lack   relation   influence   husband   international

Harold owned his own firm, which painted names on parking spaces. So many people changed jobs in the city government, there was always some amount of business for him. Now, however, he was going to trial with a judge who thought Harold’s firm had made a serious attack upon him. The new judge had a new parking space under the government building, and Harold’s company had the job of painting its sign.  

“This is not fair, Your Honor,” said Harold’s lawyer. “You can’t have the same person who is bringing him to trial sitting right there doing the judging.”

“Sit down,” said the judge. “I demand respect for this court.”

Harold’s lawyer accepted that, and sat down. Harold was using this lawyer for free. He was the husband of a friend of Harold’s last girlfriend. And he was just beginning to work in the law. This was his opportunity to win a case. Perhaps...

The lawyer for the city walked up to Harold, who was now sitting in front of the court. “What is your relation to the person who painted the judge’s sign?” she asked.

“It was Mr. Alvarez.” answered Harold. “But I don’t know what he painted.”

Harold’s lawyer jumped up. “Your Honor, she must tell us what the sign said…”

The judge hit his hand on the table. “You have little respect for this court,” said the judge. “One more time, and you will be in a cell for the night.” He looked over to the city’s lawyer. “Go on, please.”

“Again: What is your relation to the person who painted this sign?” she said, looking straight into Harold’s eyes.

“I employ him. And I almost didn’t recognize you.” said Harold. ”You were so pretty when we were drinking wine together last week.”

The judge, a old man, hit his hand down on his table again. “Any attempt to influence the morals of an officer of the court will not be permitted! Answer the question.” 

“What relation? “answered Harold. “I pay him to apply paint to signs.”

The city lawyer looked at the judge, but asked another question to Harold. “Do you know where he is at the moment?”

“On some international airplane to a foreign country, without a doubt.” said Harold. “He didn’t want to wait around for us to sort this out.”

“Then you are responsible for what he painted on the sign.”

Harold’s lawyer jumped up. “That is not a question, Your Honor.”

The judge started to strike the table again, then stopped. “I see I did not get your attention. You are a young man. Perhaps you even have a future in law.” He said to Harold’s lawyer. “Now, would you like a private cell for the night, where you can be alone?”

“I do not desire a cell, Your Honor.” the young lawyer said. “But we lack some detail here. Is there any way we can improve our understanding of the charge?”

“We are not a government committee deciding by vote here.” The judge said. He was very firm. “The sign said ‘Judge price: $1000’.  Now, would you like to share a cell instead?”

“Your Honor, I think I can reduce this charge…Judge, what is your name?”  

“Prince…You know that, young man.” The judge was red-faced. “I am not on trial here.”

“So your account is that the sign said ‘Judge price: $1000. Why don’t we have the sign here, Your Honor? Does it even exist?”

The city lawyer jumped up. “We threw it away because it was a serious attack on the judge.” She turned to Judge Prince. “Your Honor, aren’t you going to put this man in a cell?”

“You say you can reduce this serious charge?” the judge said to the young lawyer. “All right, you can have just one minute.”

“Your Honor, I don’t need that much time. Clearly Mr. Alvarez, wherever he is, left out one letter from the word Prince.”

“What about the amount of $1000 it said I could be paid? 

“Your Honor, other people have paint.”

“So I suppose Mr. Alvarez did not paint the $1000? And so Harold here is not responsible?” 

“Yes, Your Honor, there is certainly reasonable doubt.” 

The judge thought for a moment. “All right, Harold, you are free to go.”

Harold smiled, and hurried over to thank the young lawyer, who just won his first case.

“Wait a minute,” said the judge to the young lawyer. “Not so fast. I said Harold was free to go, but not you. Now I ask you again, would you like a private cell for tonight?”