The morning breaks through the grey clouds and lights up the day with its beauty and warmth. The time is seven thirty am.At the entrance to Wally's house loud sounds of laughter can be heard. Wally preparing to leave for work hugs his wife and they kiss passionately as the kids watch secretly from the new wide kitchen and giggle shamelessly. Ally enters the kitchen, hugs and kisses his two children and waves them all goodbye before he walks out.
"Goodbye my sweets…don't forget to do your homework after lunch"
He enters his car and starts it as his wife runs into the kitchen quickly. He yells towards the kids again
"And don't drive your mother crazy…she has enough on her plate dealing with me…"
The kids wave their hands and yell
"OK daddy".
Wally puts the car into drive as his wife runs over to him like a storm holding a paper bag
"Hold on Wally…doesn't go yet!!"
Wally sighs, puts the car into park and watches his wife as she comes closer. She throws the bag she was holding onto the passenger's seat as she sees a large plastic bag near him.
"I made you something to eat at work…your favorite. What's that big bag?"
Wally smiles in dismissal
"The tapes in the blue bag? Those are Abraham and Eve's…they want them back…I'm returning them today".
"Good! So you're finally going to be sane again? This ends the affair?"
"Yes my beauty…this ends the affair and I'm returning to sanity and our normal life"
Wally waves goodbye again and disappears down the street. Abraham arrives at the location of the new commercial and is received warmly and affectionately by the extras who knew him before Isaac disappeared. Eve walks into her office and is received with clapping and kisses by her coworkers. The garbage truck enters the landfill to dump its content into the big stinking pile. José finishes going through the stuff he decided to keep from the garbage pile and runs into the shack to place them there. He immediately runs out again towards a new truck dumping its load. Wally stands at a red light half a mile away from the police station when his gaze suddenly falls on a billboard of a photocopy shop. Before he realizes it his car is moving towards the shop. He parks and takes out the blue bag with him. He explains to the store owner what he wants and leaves the store without the bag! A large and impressive funeral procession is moving through the streets…the procession stands still as the big church bell chimes 11 times loudly and those stops. After the bell stops the procession moves forwards towards the church as the long robes of the priest and the small bells they hold in their hands chime. A crowd of faces look at their wrist watches which show 11:01 am like the large clock over the heavy door and like the quality watch on the judge's arm. He takes another look at his watch and steps towards his desk with his black robes hanging behind him like the wings of the grim ripper coming to choose his next victim! They all sit down quietly and reverently in their seats. At the entrance to the court house stands an on call crew of an ambulance and inside the court room are people and media personnel who came to review the sentencing and the end to the case. Every one seem tense aside from Joshua who sits completely calm…as if he doesn't care anymore what happens…and what happens is no longer in his hands! A tight ring of 10 officers surround him and watches his every move to prevent him from doing anything dangerous to himself or to others. The judge looks at them all with heavy eyes and swings the gavel shortly. He starts to explain
"Good morning all, we have gathered here today to bring an end to case number 2548/07 people vs. Joshua Solomon. As we all know, this case is one of the most complicated and complex cases ever discussed in this state and all because a 5 year old child was brutally murdered…in cold blood…with malice and absolute evil! And who is the defendant? Who is Joshua Solomon? On the outside he is an intelligent, visionary, charismatic social leader who takes care of his people…an administrative man who always knows what his people need and how to get it…but!! If we peel off all the masks the defendant used to wear on his face to achieve his goals…if we get to the core of his personality we find a totally different person… therein lays a manipulative, egocentric, egoistic person, plotting his evil, vicious schemes down to the smallest detail. He leaves nothing to chance and closes all loose ends to ensure his schemes succeed fully. The defendant planned the diabolical plan fully and knew he would murder Isaac and would have to hide the body…he has not confessed as has shown no remorse for his actions and my social, public and judiciary responsibility is to ensure this sort of affair doesn't happen again and make sure the punishment meets here will deter any other person from thinking or planning and executing this sort of thing again".
He turns to the defendant and in a monotonous tone says
"The defendant will stand for the reading of the sentence given to him".
David Stein attempts to help Joshua stand up but Joshua refuses his help and retreats from him in disdain and stands up on his own. He looks into the judges eyes who prefers avoiding his eyes
"On the charge of breaking and entering into the home of Abraham Menis I sentence you to the maximum punishment – one year.
On the charge of assaulting Michelle Menis – the maximum punishment – three years.
On the charge of injuring Michelle Menis – the maximum - five years
On the charge of kidnapping Isaac Menis from the yard of him home – the maximum – seven years
On the charge of physically, mentally and sexually abusing Isaac Menis – the maximum – ten years
On the charge of premeditative murder of Isaac Menis …"
Everyone is silent and waiting
"The truth is this verdict cancels out the last verdict I just placed on the defendant"
For a moment they are all stunned and confused besides David Stein who pales and Anita McCoy who smiles in satisfaction feeling victorious. They already know where the judge is heading with this. David quickly whispers in Joshua's ear
"No matter what the judge is going to say, I want you to know that I'm going to appeal…If I need to I'll appeal to the Supreme Court"
Joshua doesn't respond and only a small twitch in his face confirms he's heard him. The judge continues dramatically
"Ladies and Gentleman, the verdict for murdering Isaac Menis, done under such egregious circumstances will the maximum penalty under the law…the defendant Joshua Solomon will be executed by electric chair in three days time; on March 20th 2007 at 9 pm may God have mercy on your soul!! Thank you everyone."
The judge leaves the courtroom with his face lowered to the floor quickly before they can even stand up. A loud animal scream come from Joshua's throat
"Nooooooooo"…
"Yessssssss…"
A loud cheer can be heard coming from Abraham's direction that jumps up into the air, and from Eve and Mickey who hugs Wally and everyone present in the court room. Joshua pushes David Stein away as he tries to hold him and calm him down. The group of cops surrounding Joshua run forward with their guns drawn and grab him…one of the cops hits him over the head with the butt of his gun and he loses consciousness and is taken out of the court room handcuffed to a gurney. He is put into an ambulance and along with David Stein sitting by the ambulance drive is taken to jail. Mickey and Wally approach the TV cameras that keep shooting Abraham and Michelle who approach Eve and Gideon and shake hands in excitement and affection. Surprisingly Abraham and Eve also hug and weep on each other's shoulder to the sound of clapping of the people around them. One of the news casters walks up to Abraham and whispers in his ear as the rest of the curious people try to push their way forward into the TV camera view. Eve, Gideon, Michelle, Mickey and Wally watch the people.
"Hello Abraham…my name is Alexander Quince and I work for Channel 1. I would like to get an exclusive one on one with you...."
He winks at Abraham
"Of course you will be rewarded for your time…let's say $1,000?" Abraham looks at him in reproach
"I can go up to $ 2,000"
Other news casters approach Abraham who understands which side his bread is buttered on and knows he is like the cat guarding the cream. He looks at Alexander and at the other news casters and answers dismissively
"I thank you Mr. Quince but I cannot give you a definitive answer…it is up to the money and the terms I am offered…I suggest you leave me your card and I'll contact you"
Alexander watches Abraham suspiciously but Abraham's heart melting smile works like a charm and he gives the card after writing behind it $ 3,000 to Abraham who puts it in his pocket! They shake hands. The other news casters seem confused and hesitant as Abraham moves towards them holding up his hands.
"I understand you all want an exclusive with me…right?"
They all nod their heads
"Well, this is how it's going to work. Each of you gives me your card and writes on the back of it the sum the TV station is willing to pay me".
They all quickly take out their cards…
"Just so you know, the last offer was for $ 6,000"…
Abraham smiles like an angel
"Which means you have to offer a lot more than that…I'll be in touch with you
"Thank you very much…doesn't forget I am an avid news viewer and admire each and every one of you".
Like a pack of wolves they bear their teeth, sharpen their claws. The shake their cards and purr in excitement as they write the figures behind the cards, watch each other threateningly and give Abraham the card. Abraham shoves all the cards into Michelle's purse and wave's goodbye. Suddenly an impressive man wearing a fancy suit hands Abraham a card
"Hello Mr. Menis. My name is Kevin Conroy. I am a lawyer. I am sure you will need someone like me representing your interests with anyone offering you tempting offers. By the way I am in contact with several international production companies who are very interested in this tragic affair. I guarantee you won't regret our connection! See you!"
Abraham smiles and nods in agreement
"Thank you, Mr. Conroy. I would be happy to cooperate with you".
Abraham quickly puts the card in his pocket and leaves with Michelle! Mickey and Wally prepare to leave and by chance notice Eve response to the goings on between Abraham and the media and are amazed. Eve sadly mumbles
"Oh Abraham! I thought Isaac's death would change you…I was hoping…maybe a little! But nothing! Nada! Not only did you not change but you became worse!! When the judge spoke of a manipulative, egocentric person, I was sure he was talking about you! Only I know how evil you are" she turns to Gideon "let's get out of here…both Abraham and this place give me the creeps"
Mickey and Wally's stare accompanies Eve and Gideon's figures walking away. They also seem distant from each other. They start walking towards their car. Mickey sips from his flask and mumbles
"Did you see Eve and Gideon? They seem like two opposing parties in a government… it looks as though a black cat has passed between them…I can understand why eve talks that way about Abraham! She hates him more than she hates the killer…she will always view him as responsible for this murder. Isaac was his responsibility and it happened at his house and she will never forgive him for that".
"Maybe Mickey!"
Mickey is thoughtful. "Maybe you're right. And maybe not!" He takes a sip from the flask and gives it back to Mickey .Mickey watches Wally as if he is craze. He pushes him jokingly and says
"Fuck you, OK? You are so messed up Wally!" he laughs and Wally joins him "maybe yes and maybe not!!"
They enter Mickey's car in the parking garage and barely manage to leave the place because of all the news teams broadcasting outside the courtroom. Mickey asks Wally curiously
"Have you returned the tapes back to the Adams family?
"Oh! I forgot! I'll return them tomorrow to the esteemed Mr. and Mrs. Menis. Maybe yes and maybe not!"
And they both laugh again. His eyes open slowly. A great white light floods his brain and twists all shapes and colors…he can barely make out that he is in a great hall at the corner of which stand a few blurry figures. In front of his face appears a large face that seems to be wearing something white, and has no hair. Disappearing soft fingers touch his face. The fog in his head and the voice he hears like an echo from afar merge together
"I…I…Am I in the next world?"
The great frightening bursts of laughter coming from around him only heighten his sensation that this is the next world and this one are no different…the huge egg like face laughing and moving everywhere say
"You are still in this world!! But…thank God you will soon move on!! And when this happens, we will all raise our glasses".
The sounds of laughter continue as more faces appear near the egg like face who is now smiling like a lizard
"Take him to his cell…if you leave the monster here in the infirmary someone might kill him before his time".
"What am I doing in the infirmary?"
Joshua, who now regained full consciousness, recognizes the obnoxious prison doctor – Dr. Helmes and some of the guards who approach him and stand him up. They cuff him more than usual as is the custom with death row prisoners. On his way to his cell, the prisoners stand up close to the bars of their cells and curse at Joshua who lowers his eyes to the floor.
"You piece of shit…you're tough on a five year old…"
"Let's see you take on one of the prisoners…"
"Son of a bitch…I hope your kids are murdered…"
"Asshole…you should be castrated and burnt alive"
"Filthy murderer…every one of the prisoners here will screw you before you reach the chair…"
Against all odds and despite the guards accompanying him to his cell, that he get a heart attack or a case of the flesh eating bug…a brain hemorrhage or a lethal snake bite…they arrive safely at the cell and Joshua is thrown-shoved roughly into it like a floor mop! He sighs in relief and looks around him curiously at the cell that is built in such a way that even if someone wanted commit suicide his chances of succeeding are lower than winning the lottery. The walls are padded, the bed is lined with foam and attached to the wall, the table and two plastic chairs are nailed to the floor, the bathroom, lighting and any other useful appliance is made of soft material to prevent the prisoner from harming himself! In addition there are 4 close circuit cameras up in the walls watching his every move…monitoring him? Joshua finishes examining the cell; he sighs loudly and lies down on the bed staring at the ceiling. A few minutes later the door is opened a tray with food is thrown inside and the door closes again as a guards voice is heard from a loudspeaker placed at the corner of the room.
"When you're done with the food put the tray in the drawer connected to the door…we'll take it from there…"
He giggles meanly
"Hopefully you're still alive at that time"
Joshua despises them…he stands before the camera pointing with his finger to his temple signing them as if they're idiots and sits down to eat