There was a subdued chatter around the room as the large gathering was watching the proceedings of the day.  There was a large bench in the front of the room and in front of it stood a man dressed in fine plumed clothes and sporting  a very flamboyant hat, somewhat akin to those worn by professors at the universities.  In front of the chairs separated by an ornate wooden barrier, there were seated three accused at one of two large tables.  Jack Sprat was muttering nervously to another, “I’m innocent I tell ya, it’s the same old thing, always get the nice guy, look, I been good to everyone, they always get the good guy…” his eyes were quickly shifting from one man to the other looking for agreement.  The second accused, John Doe replied disinterestedly, “”Yeh, well I dunno much about the law and stuff, but I got this ace up my sleeve.”

“What do you mean?” Jack asked.

“Well, I know this really sharp dude and like, he tells me that that’s not really important, he said, it’s all in who ya know.” John stated as if he had special inside knowledge, as he nudged the third accused.  The third man, John Wesley had been listening to them and joined in, “I reckon friend, ain’t that the truth now?  Why when he told me how I could escape punishment, I could hardly believe it, cuz man, I am guilty as…”

“Oh, did you talk to him too, now that was some pretty slick dude huh?

He seemed to know all about the way things work, like, he told me that I could do stuff that I’d been warned against all my life.  And I ain’t had nothing bad happening, why, I’m just a waiting on him now, he’s gonna get me outa this mess too.” He smiled self-satisfied.  At that moment a man dressed in a suit with a camel hair wig walked up to the table and started sorting through some papers.

“Who are you?” inquired Jack, of the lawyer was standing next to. 

“Oh me, I your court-appointed lawyer.  I’ve reviewed your case.”