Fantasy fiction; Science fiction; Subconsciousness -- Fiction
"I propose a test for the witness," George continued. "If you want a
positive identification from her, why don't you let the two of us go
out of the room for a moment, then return. If she can successfully pick
out this gentleman over here, then we'll have to accept her testimony."
A look of deep confusion passed over the Justice's face. He turned to
the waitress. "Is that a good idea?" he asked. "I'm so mixed up, I
can't tell."
"Sure," the girl said. "Let 'em go. I'll pick out the right mug the
minute they step through the door."
* * * * *
Nevertheless, something about the arrangement seemed to bother the
Justice as Marc and George quickly removed themselves from the room.
The minute the door closed after them, it struck him.
"Oh, my Lord!" he murmured. "Now we may never know which is which if
that new one decides to double cross me. We may not even be able to
tell which one was arrested outside the bank last night." He looked
worriedly at the waitress. "The court's integrity is resting on you, my
dear," he said.
"The court's integrity," Toffee put in, "is in one hell of a spot, in
that case."
The corridor door swung open and Marc and George smilingly reappeared.
Side by side, they presented themselves before the girl.
"Go ahead," the Justice urged. "Pick out the right man. Don't be
nervous."
"Sure, your Honor." The girl winked broadly at her sisters-in-arms
on the sidelines. "It's a cinch." She turned to the two men standing
before her. Her hand went promptly toward the one on the right, and she
looked back at the Justice. "That's the one, your...." Suddenly her
voice faltered and trailed away into silence. She turned back to the
men and her eyes darted crazily back and forth, from face to face.
"Oh, murder!" she murmured miserably. "They _are_ both alike! They
both even have that dirty-minded look in their eyes." For a moment she
gazed up at the Justice entreatingly, and slowly began to tremble under
his venomous glare. Then, all in a rush, she turned and fled to her
companions from the diner. Collapsing into their out-stretched arms,
she began to sob loudly.
Once more a bleak stillness gripped the courtroom. Everyone seemed to
hold his breath, as though afraid not to. The only moving things in the
room were the Justice's eyes, which appeared to have gone dangerously
out of control. Then, after a long moment, black robed shoulders were
lifted to accommodate a tremendous sigh. The gavel darted into the air
and came down against the stand with a blow that split it neatly in two.
"The case is dismissed!" the justice roared. "And this damned court is
adjourned!" And hurling the gavel to the floor, he lifted his robes
about his ample waist and stalked ceremoniously out of the room.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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