The night blankets the city and a sense of gloom descends. Gideon, dressed in his pj's after a shower finishes combing his hair. His sprays expensive cologne on his face, gurgles, enters the bedroom and organizes the blanket and pillows. He lights candles and incense excitedly and peeks into his underwear expectantly. He goes out to the living room with a winner's smile on his face, ready to invite Eve into the bedroom but freezes as he sees Eve's back and body shaking as she clutches something in her hands and weeps. Her tearful eyes are focused on a picture of her and Isaac hugging and happy. She mumbles
"Oh God…what have I done? I miss you so much Isaac!! Why didn't I take you with me to the hotel?"
Gideon enters the room hesitatingly, step by step and after gathering up some courage he asks her softly
"Are you joining me in the bedroom? I feel like a massage…and maybe after the mas…"
Gideon gulps and retreats anxiously at the despising look she sends his way. She goes back to staring at the picture and weeping without giving him a second glance and says in his direction
"Go away….you make me sick"
He leaves the room quickly and goes into the bedroom squealing
"Idiot…all she has in her head is Isaac! Did you forget I exist too? I was sure Isaac's death will make it easier for us and bring us closer…bitch...I am not going to put up with this anymore"
Michelle wakes up. She looks at Abraham's side of the bed and finds it vacant. The pillow is as tidy and stretched as it has been the whole day.
"You're probably in the living room with the TV or in the yard with your beer".
She washes her face in the bathroom and barely makes it out the door because of her protruding stomach. She takes a glass of juice from the fridge and walks to the living room that is vacant. She goes out to the empty, wet yard and realizes no one is there. She walks back into the living room and turns on the TV. She sips from her glass and smiles…the clock shows 11 at night. Suddenly she grabs her stomach and yells in surprise.
"Oh...oh…? The baby is moving…wow!!! I can feel it!"
She smiles in joy
"I have to tell Abraham".
She quickly dials Abraham's cell phone and hums as she continues stroking her bouncing stomach. She breathes in excitement as she hears Abrahams voice and music in the background.
"Hi Abraham. I just noticed you weren't home…where are you? I have to tell you something incredible"
"What do you want? Why did you call?"
Abraham says in apathy.
"I felt the baby move inside me…I wanted you to be here and feel it too…maybe you…"
Michelle freezes and is unable to continue as she hears whispering and a girls giggle in the background
"Hang up Abey….I want to go back to bed and fuck again…"
Michelle mumbles in broken tone with tears in her eyes
"Where are you? Who is this girl? Why are you cheating on me instead of being here next to me and feeling our baby?"
"You don't need me…you have the baby….don't bother me again…"
He retorts in anger and despise. Abraham hangs up and jumps back quickly into the bed where Helen is lying under the covers and asks with anger
"Did I hear you right? You have a baby?"
"No Helen…you didn't…I was talking about a friend of mine who has a baby with problems! But don't forget I need to get an answer from the Hollywood production company about your role in the movie! That's what's important! And if it's important to you, you should pamper me like a king…your king"
And he whispers
"And you are nothing but a dumb pussy!"
Through the unbearable darkness and the gloomy silence, the pendulum clock shows 11 pm. The shadow of a figure seems to be walking on tiptoes along with the shadows of three children. Its hand is reached out to the door handle. She opens it silently and walks into the darkened room! The woman signals the three children to stay quiet. The four of them walk towards the room out of which can be heard strange sounds. She opens the door with a squeak…through the open door the back of strange is seen sitting restlessly on a leather couch as the TV is playing videos of Abraham and Eve! The woman and her children almost laugh but she signals them with her finger on her lips to stay quiet. They all stand quietly behind Wally's back who's watching the videos from Eve and Abraham curiously. Ally watches the videos and smokes. He doesn't know what he's looking for but he senses deep down that maybe the solution to his doubts is in those tapes and he mumbles in frustration.
"If there is a lead to this damn affair it is hiding in these tapes…I am going to find it!"
His wife approaches him from behind silently and shouts into his ear as he jumps up in fright
"What are you doing?"
"Are you crazy Eileen? You almost gave me a heart attack".
He notices the kids laughing
"And why aren't you in bed? It's 11 pm!!"
"OK kids…you've had your fun…now go back to bed… you have seven hours left to sleep…let's go…"
His wife cautions them to go back to their beds. The kids wave good night and run back into their rooms laughing.
"I'm sorry my love if I woke you... this is connected to the murder and I have to watch the tapes"
She smiles in understanding knowing Wally well enough to know that when he's obsessed with something the best thing to do is leave him be.
"OK Wally …the kids and I won't disturb you again, but what exactly are you looking for? What sort of clue are you hoping to find?"
Wally hugs her and sighs in despair
"I don't know…this is worse than looking for a needle in a haystack! If I'm not wrong the solution is hiding in these tapes…"
Eileen sighs as well and suddenly they both look a little forlorn.
"So if this is the case I guess we'll have to forget about you until you find the solution right?"
Wally laughs in relief and Eileen joins him
"Now you understand why I married you…you have the answers before the questions appear".
José is still sleeping deeply moving restlessly from side to side…suddenly he begins dreaming about the bracelet on his arm! He is facing Joshua's image at the landfill who is entering the car and leaving… the bracelet is discovered near the garbage pile hypnotizing him…he watches Joshua's photograph on TV as the suspect in Isaac's kidnapping…he reports Joshua to the police…the police finds Isaac's body at the landfill…Joshua is being charged with Isaac's murder…the jeweler tries to con him out of the bracelet…Abraham arrives to give him the rewards and wants to buy the bracelet…he visits the courthouse during Joshua's trial…various attempts by strange characters to take the bracelet from him…Wally visits him in the shack asking for more details…everything returns to the moment he found the bracelet… Joshua turns into a scary demon who wants the bracelet back…The visions he sees intermingle without sense or reason and become a frightful kaleidoscope. He wakes up and weeps in despair feeling like the lead actor in "lord of the rings". He has to get rid of the charmed and cursed bracelet as soon as possible and in whatever price it takes…after a while he calms down and looks at the bracelet again. The evil inclination and possessiveness and his ego convince him to keep the bracelet. He can't get rid of it. He has sold his soul to the bracelet! The darkness of the night disappears into the unseen horizon, clearing a path to the light of day and the caressing sun. David Stein and Anita McCoy stand next to the judge's podium as he holds the microphone in his palm and whispers menacingly
"My dear friends…I will not tolerate such reckless despicable behavior by you because you cannot agree with each other! If you wish to bicker…curse…hit or defame each other…not in my court room!! I will not allow such behavior in my court room. Next time this happens I will hold you both in contempt!! Is that clear?"
The two lawyers watch each other in shame and with a stutter say
"I apologize you honor…I will not interfere again"
Says David Stein
"Please accept my apology judge…It won't happen again"
Says Anita McCoy.
"OK. Apologies accepted. Please go back to your seats".
As they turn and prepare to go back the judge says
"Wait...comes back here"
They sigh and return.
"Are you ready with your closings or do you have more witnesses to bring?"
"The defense has no more witnesses but the defendants testimony…beyond that we are ready with our closing statement"
"Your honor, the prosecution would like to summon to the stand, Abraham, the boys' father"
David Stein retreats in worry…he was hoping and praying Abraham would not take the stand and tries to object.
"I object, your honor! This is a hostile witness he is not objective and I ask the judge to cancel the summoning of this witness!"
Ms. McCoy interrupts
"Your honor… I would like to bring him to the stand…this is a material witness to understanding the connection between the boy and the defendant and with the father's testimony the general picture of this whole affair will be complete and full. It is unthinkable that this right will be revoked… and in addition…"
The judge is impatient…he answers grumpily
"I have to think about Abraham's testimony…when I decide I'll let you know"
They both lower their heads and return to their seats but the judge again says
"Come back here please…"
They both return silently to the podium
"Well…I've thought about it and I have an answer with regards to Abraham's testimony… he will be allowed to take the stand and if anyone has a problem with it they can take the gavel and hit themselves on the head with it…understood? Abraham will take the stand before the defendant!"
"Thank you your honor…the prosecution appreciates your decision"
Anita McCoy smiles a nasty arrogant smile at David Stein. The only thing he can do is greet his teeth and curse her family silently. The judge smile a compassionate smile and they return to their seats. Joshua, excited, whispers
"I'm the last witness before closings…when are you going to call me…now? Tomorrow?"
"Not yet Joshua…unfortunately Abraham is going to testify before you and that is…"
Joshua's smile disappears and his face contorts in dislike as he snaps
"Why? Why?? You promised me …you swore to me that he wouldn't take the stand!! He was willing to kill me right now… believe me David…I would rather be dead right now so I don't have to look at him on the witness stand"
"I'm sorry Joshua. I did my best…but the judge agreed to the prosecution's request"
"Audience members, media representatives…prosecution and defense counsels we are approaching the closing arguments soon. But before that…if the defense and prosecution have any new witnesses they are requested to prepare them! The prosecution is asked to bring its last witness to the stand".
Joshua and David's faces are forlorn and their eyes are lowered to the desk as Anita McCoy peeks at them in cockiness.
"The prosecution would like to call Mr. Abraham Menis to the stand!"
Whispers of excitement are heard from the crowd and the look at Abraham walking confidently towards the podium. Abraham arrives at the podium and watches everyone. He watches Joshua in a dark and threatening look. The court officer swears him on the bible and after swearing to tell the truth and nothing but the truth he sits down.
"Mr. Menis…we are all sorry for your loss! Please tell us who you are, what you do and what is your connection to the affair"
Says Anita McCoy
"My name is Abraham Menes…I and Eve my ex wife are the parents of Isaac. I am currently being employed as an actor and model in film and TV productions. I am a famous and sought after actor".
"And how did you meet the defendant?"
"About two weeks before the murder, I, Isaac and Michelle my spouse were out and we met the defendant along with a few of the cult members who introduced themselves and their faith to people on the street. The defendant introduced himself to the three of us and unfortunately and stupidly I told him my exact address and that Isaac will be staying with us that weekend. Oh…sorry…that happened the second time I met him when we visited the cult in the woods where they live".
"Did you suspect him then of any wrong doings? Immoral things?"
Abraham thinks for a moment.
"No! As far as I remember, I thought he was very intelligent, educated and likeable…wait…I remember that before we returned home I did notice that he was overly fond with the boys and girls of the cult. Touching them inappropriately. But at the time I didn't think anything of it. I thought it was caring…worry and affection! Who would believe that he was the singing pervert and worse – a vicious evil murderer who killed my son in cold blood! You know how that is…people we don't know play and joke with our kids without any bad intention or malice…I must be naïve…I believe man is good by nature"
David Stein cries out
"I object your honor! I am sorry for the witness but the witness has no training in psychology and is not a psychiatrist who can refer to the parameters and characteristics of the defendant…of himself! The witness cannot make judgment and claim the defendant is a cold blood killer…I ask that his testimony be stricken...the witness in unreliable and has tendentious thinking against the defendant…he would like to kill the defendant at any cost! He cannot testify in regards to the defendant… furthermore he cannot stay in the court room from this moment on until the trial is over…I ask your honor to…."
Ms. McCoy quickly responds
"The prosecution objects to revoking Abraham's testimony! It is unthinkable that the defense attempts to discredit Abraham!! This is intolerable! Come on…who is on trial here? Abraham? Who is accused of this horrible crime? Abraham? The prosecution demands the court treat this witness like any other…although he is Isaac's father but he does not under any circumstance, pretend to present himself as a psychologist or psychiatrist! He is a serious, responsible and reliable witness!! A man that has gone through a terrible trauma! It is his right to speak his mind and feelings…we live in a democratic state and will not allow anyone to shut us up!!"
The prosecution and defense counsels look like two attack dogs with blood shot eyes…bearing their teeth at each other menacingly. David Stein is ready to jump up and respond angrily but the judge shouts at them
"Stop it now! I heard your claims and after thinking about it deeply and thoroughly I have reached a final decision. I accept the prosecution's claim and approve the witness's testimony in its entirety! As for you my esteemed counselors…it is unthinkable that you cannot behave like two normal, reasonable human beings! I hope you prove to this court and to yourself that you still have an ounce of reason and ignore the animosity between you…as for our plan…we'll move on to the news bulletin….sorry…I apologize…return to the witness…"
He laughs out loud, Ms. McCoy says
"Abraham, tell the court what happened"
Abraham weeps a little
"I…. I…. Michelle and I and Isaac were visiting Joshua in the woods"
"Mr. Menis…would like to take a break to calm down?"
"It's OK judge…I'm sorry…I can continue"
Says Abraham.
"I was an idiot and told him where we lived. I even remember he smiled when I gave him our address and the Isaac will be staying with us. I guess he was planning to kill Isaac even then".
"Objection your honor…the witness does not know what the defendant was thinking"
Says David Stein
"We object to the defense counselor's attempts to badger the witness"
Says Anita McCoy.
"Abraham sees things in relation to the defendant's actions at the time and his crimin al actions later…the defense has no authority…"
The judge's gavel rises into the air as his free hand lands on the table as the crowd laugh.
"Ms. McCoy…I am sorry but defense counsel is correct".
He turns to the court stenographer
"I ask that witness's last sentence be stricken from the record"
He turns to the jury
"Please disregard the witness's last sentence".
He turns to Abraham
"Please answer the questions without giving them your interpretation. Believe me we have enough commentators in this country…please continue Abraham"
"Your honor…I apologize…like I said before …Joshua smile when I gave him our address...but at the time I didn't think anything of it!! After about an hour we left and drove home and since then have not met Joshua. The last I met him was at the beginning of this trial"
The judge seems a bit bored and stares at the defense and prosecution tables and asks laconically
"Are you done with this witness, Ms. McCoy?"
"Not yet, your honor. I have one smaller question"
He takes a bag from the evidence table marked as exhibit number 8 containing the pen found in Abraham yard and waves it importantly for the jury to see…she lays it on the podium in front of Abraham and turns to the judge.
"I am showing the witness exhibit number 8. This is a pen found in the yard of Abraham's house by the forensics team".
She turns towards Abraham
"Do you recognize this object?"
"Yes ma'am. This gray-black gift pen given to Henderson Bank customers".
"Have you seen this pen prior to the police finding it in the yard of your house?"
"Yes! I first saw it when I met the defendant…he was writing with this pen…the second time I met him the pen was in his shirt pocket. He even told me he got the pen from the bank".
"Your honor…the prosecution rests".
Says Anita McCoy. The judges stretches, David whispers to Joshua
"Does the defense have questions or can the witness return to his seat?"
"Yes, your honor…the defense has questions for this witness"
The prosecution who were smiling sure that the witness will now be returning to his seat stand angrily as Abraham pouts in dislike
"Mr. Menis…I understand you're sure of you identification of the pen!! It seems so important to you, right? By the way, do you know how many similar pens the bank gives out? Hundreds of thousands!! So, given that fact…can this pen belong to anyone with a bank account in Henderson's?"
Abraham pales and starts stuttering but Ms. McCoy jumps up and yells
"the defense is trying to confuse the witness…they are trying to belittle the significance of the pen but I suggest they don't forget that the pen was tested by the police lab and found to have the defendants fingerprints on it. I would like to emphasize that this is the defendant's pen and not some stranger…the defendant even admitted in questioning that this pen belongs to him!"
Ms. McCoy, Jack Jones, Abraham, Mickey and most of the people in the crowd smile in relief! They understand that as soon as Joshua admitted the pen belonged to him he put the last nail in his coffin. Wally seems skeptical and David Stein cries out
"Objection, your honor!! The prosecution is taking things out of context…it is using a vile method of partial explanation with regards to things as is convenient to it. I would like to remind your honor that my client did admit the pen was his and his finger prints are his but my client also claimed vehemently that he didn't know how the pen got to Abraham's yard! I say that my client did not leave or forget the pen in the yard because he wasn't there!"
"Your honor!!"
Says Ms. McCoy
"This is unreliable!! This exhibit we know as exhibit number 8 was found in Abraham's yard. It belongs to the defendant that happened to lose it in the yard unknowingly. The pen found in the yard has a direct link to the murder of Isaac and the killer himself! The two cannot be separated!"
Wally whispers in Mickey's ear
"I believe Joshua is not the killer but I don't understand how it got to the yard? And why did it get there? It's strange!"
I am sure Joshua is the killer and when he took Isaac from the yard the pen fell out of his pocket and you, Wally , are constantly looking for ghosts that may have killed Isaac… will you drop it already?? You idiot!"
Mickey says to Wally and Wally lowers his eyes embarrassed thinking
"Maybe Mickey and everyone else are right? Could it be that I'm just being stubborn trying to prove that a monstrous killer is just a victim? Can I be so naïve and humane that I can't believe monsters of Joshua's kind exist…that absolute evil doesn't exist?"
The judge raises his voice and watches Abraham in satisfaction
"I understand that the defense and prosecution are finished with the witness…thank you Mr. Menis…you may return to your seat".
Abraham returns to his seat smiling a winner's smile looking arrogantly at Joshua.
"We will reconvene tomorrow at 10am to hear closing arguments by the prosecution and then by the defense! Thank you all"
They all stand even before asked to do so. The judge looks at them smilingly and leaves. They all watch the cops cuffing Joshua and taking him to the car. Mickey and Wally approach David Stein and pat him on the shoulder friendly as he watches Joshua with sad eyes and a heavy heart. Mickey mumbles.
"Joshua Solomon…the road is paved…your feet are carrying you there…not even a miracle can save you from hell".