Alex Popkin

         Henry Klinbald smiled smugly as he scanned the mob of journalists squeezing into the back of the courtroom.  "We've got a big crowd today.  They always show up to observe strokes of legal genius."

         Jeanne Olsworth also turned and surveyed the press section, though her gaze was far less confident.  "Or perhaps great legal folly," she said.

         "Nonsense," Klinbald said, carefully pressing down a crease in his five-thousand-dollar suit.  "This will be the greatest triumph in our firm's history.  Our client ran a fair and honest business.  Then a series of malicious untruths was spread concerning his ethics and past behavior, causing many of his customers to depart.  He unquestionably suffered harm, and it's clear who's responsible.  It's an open-and-shut case."

         Olsworth smiled in spite of herself.  "I wish I had your confidence.  Don't forget that all your previous experience has been with suits against people and corporations.  No one has ever sued an abstract concept before."

         "Ah, but that's the beauty of it," Klinbald said.  "It's a daring new legal strategy.  Most lawsuits amount to petty squabbles and trivial wrangling.  By putting Rumor itself on trial, we're finally assigning blame where it belongs.

         "Maybe."  Olsworth turned back towards the judge.  "But it's not even clear that the court will allow the case to proceed, and we can't have a trial if the defendant doesn't show up."

         As if in direct response, the courtroom's main doors sprang open and a figure marched in.  She was tall, clad in an electric blue dress and bright red boots that clashed with the courtroom's somber decor.  A blaze of orange hair hung to her waist, tied with a green ribbon, and she sported all manner of gaudy jewelry.  Though none had ever seen her before, no one could question that it was Rumor who had entered the courtroom.

         The Bailiff spoke. "All please rise.  The District Court is now in session to hear the case of Albert Schweibel versus Rumor, the Honorable R. Cunningham presiding."

         The trial began.  Henry Klinbald strode to the front of the courtroom to present opening arguments.  "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, today you will hear a case of a just and upstanding citizen who was maligned and traduced by one of the oldest villains known to humankind.  That villain is none other than Rumor, who sits as defendant in this very court.  Yes, for the first time in history, you will have a chance to bring justice to the very system of lies, half-truths and innuendoes by which decent people are made out to be cheats and scoundrels."

         Klinbald waved his arms with theatrical flourish as he approached the jurors.  "The facts are plain.  For thirty years, Albert Schweibel has run a car dealership in this fair city.  In all that time, he never engaged in dishonest or disreputable business practice.  Yet, about two years ago, stories about him lying, cheating and selling substandard products started to pop up.  This malicious gossip bore no relationship to reality.  Nevertheless, it spread first by word of mouth, then on the Internet, and finally into allegedly respectable publications."

         Klinbald faced the audience.  "Who is the root cause of this?  Rumor!" he said.  "Rumor spreads untrue stories.  Rumor fabricates source material.  Rumor smears the names of good, honest people."  He turned towards the jury once more.  "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, Rumor knows no bounds and no limits.  Last year, Rumor ruined Albert Schweibel.  Next year, she might go after you.  For as long as she spreads her malicious poison without fear of punishment, nobody is safe.  For that reason, Mr. Schweibel has taken his case to court, not just to seek restitution, but to ensure that no other honest citizen suffers from her attacks."

         Rumor released a high-pitched giggle.  "Is that the real reason?" she said with a wicked smile.  "I've heard a somewhat more prosaic explanation involving a certain ex-mistress demanding hush money payments.  Small wonder that Mr. Schweibel is looking for some extra cash."

         A murmur of voices spread through the courtroom.  Judge Cunningham banged his gavel.  "Order in the court!" he said.  "Any more outbursts of that nature and I will find the defendant in contempt."

         "I wonder why you're so touchy about the subject?" Rumor said.  Her face curled into an ugly smirk.  "The word is that your past isn't entirely free from blemish either, Judge."

         "I will remind you that this is a court of civil law," Cunningham said.  "Insulting a judge is a penal offense."

         "Oh?" Rumor said.  "If this court is dedicated to the dignified pursuit of justice, perhaps someone should have informed Mr. Klinbald and Mrs. Olsworth.  Financial transactions between their office and the members of the jury might suggest that they lack a certain respect for equity and proper judicature."  Rumor winked, then sprang to her feet and disappeared as suddenly as she had entered.

         All eyes, however, now turned to Klinbald, whose legendary calm seemed to be melting away.  Even as he stood there sweating, whispers arose in the courtroom.  "Bribing a jury?  Could it really be true?"

         Six months had passed.  Klinbald and Olsworth both looked somewhat older, more worn and haggard.  Fewer reporters jammed the press section, and a smaller audience filled the benches.  Other than that, the scene remained much the same: same courtroom, same decor, same judge.

         Klinbald rubbed his hands in eager anticipation.  "No slip-ups this time," he said.  "We're guaranteed a big win."

         Olsworth gave a long-suffering sigh.  "As I recall, you said basically the same thing when we had Rumor on trial.  I hope you haven't forgotten how that one unfolded."

         "Certainly not," Klinbald said.  "That was a plain error on my part.  I had forgotten that even Rumor is correct sometimes.  I thought the payments had been sufficiently discreet, but apparently I was wrong.  It was a costly mistake.  Nevertheless, we will recoup some of our losses right here, now that we've identified the party who is truly responsible for our troubles."

         The Bailiff spoke. "All please rise.  The District Court is now in session to hear the case of Klinbald and Olsworth versus Truth, the Honorable R. Cunningham presiding."

 

 

Copyright 2006, Alex Popkin

Alex Popkin is a math student, fanatical reader, sporadic writer, and all-around book person.  He currently lives in Tennessee, where he attends Vanderbilt University. He is a grad student and teaching assistant, and much of his life is gobbled up by classes and seminars.  Spare time gets spent on cycling and other outdoor sports, and on watching the basketball team get crushed by SEC competitors. 

 

 

Cover: "Discover" 

Copyright 2006, Teresa Tunaley

Originating from the UK but now residing in the Canary Islands, freelance artist Teresa Tunaley finds more time to devote to her love of art and painting. For years she has been doodling traditionally with pencils and dabbling with watercolors. More recently she uses a more modern technique and creates with her electronic tablet and pen in software such as PhotoShop, Corel Draw, and Paint Shop Pro.

Along with published stories and poetry, she can be credited with award winning cover art and illustrations for author stories. Her work can be seen online and in print across the UK, US, Canada, Denmark and Europe.

"I like to think that I am very versatile in my choice of subject matter – my new surroundings provide the inspiration for me to paint on a daily basis and the fact that others may enjoy my work gives me the confidence to continue."