Free Character Witness by Rebecca Forster

side. Dutifully he checked the man's size eighteen neck, confirmed there was no stinger and asked politely:
    '' Can we go on now? Please?''
    '' Yeah. Let's do it this time. Let's get the hell out of here.''
    His friend nodded and led the way to the front door of the cottage where he jimmied the flimsy lock. They went inside and he thanked his lucky stars that the little rabbit lady had gone before they walked in.

    '' Tony, good to see you.''
    '' You too, Bob.''
    They met with a clasp of hands, centurions holding one another's metal clad forearms in a fleeting bond of brotherhood before the bloodshed. Bob let go first. Tony's grin faltered. It was just another day after all. Bob opened the door to Judge Kelley's courtroom, Tony pushed open the bar. They both turned left to the defense table and settled their briefcases before they settled themselves.
    '' Whaddaya figure? Ten minutes on this thing?'' Bob snapped gold hasps on a burgundy colored portfolio and withdrew a manila folder of insignificant proportions.
    '' For you maybe. I'm guessing I'll have a go at it with a trial. You're probably in and out.'' Tony pulled at the tasteful brass buckled belts that kept his huge case intact. It yawned wide but he had no more paperwork than his cohort.
    They sat down, checked their watches and completed the ritual with toothless smiles.
    '' Two minutes and the other team forfeits. Kelley runs this courtroom to the wire.'' Tony passed the time.
    '' No cameras around to play to so he might as well get on with things,'' Bob noted dryly. Tony snickered.
    '' Judge just can't think of anything to say without a script, right?'' Tony poked his pal.
    '' I hear he went to the Springs for a tan. It's tough for him to get dressed in the morning without make-up,'' Bob chortled. Both of them were just bored enough to revert to nine year old humor as they waited for the day to start.
    Tony twirled in his chair just to be sure there wasn't anyone interested in their conversation. He gave a nod to his client sitting quietly behind him and noted a group of school children further back. One could never be too careful. An out of favor judge might somehow make a come back. Then their asses would be grasses if he got word they'd been a tad disrespectful. Tony chuckled, thinking that was mighty creative. Asses. Grasses. Whoever said lawyers had no sense of humor was dead wrong.
    His eyes flicked over the spectator pews one last time. Only the bag lady from 6th Street had come in recently. Nothing to worry about there. He checked his watch again. The opposition was late. The day was theirs. Judge Kelley's bailiff was out and singing.
    '' Everyone please rise, Department 33 of the Los Angeles Superior Court is again in session. The Honorable Donald Kelley, presiding.''
    Tony and Bob stood. This time their hands were clasped in front of their most private parts, their legs splayed as if ready for the games to begin. They were fearless in the arena and the emperor was taking his seat.
    Judge Kelley looked up from under well formed brows, touched the edges of his carefully tended mustache, spied the two and checked out the empty counsel table. Bob and Tony had to admit he looked good. A Palm Springs tan was a man's best accessory. The judge's blue eyes sparkled behind the tasteful gold rimmed glasses. The tie that peeked out from the top of the robe was taupe knit, a color he favored, one that set off his excellently groomed silver gray hair. When he spoke it was with a casualness that belied the sharp mind that had been called into question of late.
    '' In the matter of Louise Booker vs. the Estate of Lionel Booker, et al. Counsel, please make your appearance for the record.''
    He looked up and smiled pleasingly.
    '' Tony Maglio for the estate of Lionel Booker, Your Honor.''
    '' Bob Morton representing All Life Insurance, Your Honor.''
    '' Gentlemen.'' the judge nodded. ''I see that the offended party has seen fit not to make an appear. . .''
    Just as Judge