Free The Method by Juli Zeh Page A

prove.
    ‘I’m terribly sorry, Your Honour,’ says Mia.
    Sophie hears Rosentreter whisper soothingly to his client. She almost feels sorry for him. He is an upright, unassuming man, not in the least equipped to deal with a recalcitrant character like Mia Holl.
    ‘What I have here is an appeal against the sentence I imposed,’ says Sophie, waving a sheet of paper in the air. ‘Signed by you.’
    Mia looks uncertainly at Rosentreter, who pokes her gently in the ribs.
    ‘Yes, Your Honour,’ she says.
    ‘The penalty imposed for your infractions was extremely lenient.’ Hearing the hysteria in her voice, Sophie clears her throat and makes an effort to be professional. ‘It was an olive branch.’
    ‘Practically an acquittal,’ chimes in Barker.
    ‘Indeed.’ Sophie aims a mocking nod in Barker’s direction. ‘Frau Holl, the sentence was supposed to get you back on track. Is that clear?’
    ‘I suppose so, Your Honour,’ says Mia like a puppet whose jaw is worked by strings.
    ‘Enough!’ screeches Sophie, and this time she takes satisfaction in using her gavel. ‘I’m rejecting your appeal. And the penalty will be raised to fifty days’ wages. As for your abuse of toxic substances—’
    ‘But …’ says Mia, who has been listening to the judge’s pronouncements with increasing amazement, ‘but I
am
back on track. I submitted the missing data on sleep and nutrition to the relevant authorities. You’ve seen my medical and hygiene tests. The bacteria levels in my apartment are within the prescribed range. I’ll make up my exercise deficit within the next few days, and—’
    ‘I’m not falling for this again, Frau Holl. Perhaps you could explain why you’re appealing against a sentence that my superiors deemed unconscionably lax?’
    ‘Objection, Your Honour,’ says Rosentreter. ‘The defendant can’t be held responsible for the judge’s professional reputation.’
    ‘But—’ says Mia.
    ‘Objection upheld. I hereby terminate my examination of Frau Holl at the request of her lawyer. It brings the matter to a mercifully swift conclusion.’
    ‘Kind of you to do my job,’ says Barker.
    ‘No one asked you to comment,’ says Sophie sharply. Turning back to Rosentreter, she says, ‘The next infraction: abuse of toxic substances. Your plea?’
    ‘Guilty,’ says Rosentreter.
    ‘But I don’t see why …’ says Mia.
    ‘You smoked a cigarette, didn’t you?’ says Rosentreter softly. ‘You admitted to it last week.’
    ‘Of course,’ says Mia, ‘but I thought you said—’
    ‘You were adamant you wanted to deal with it yourself – I told you there was only one possible way of avoiding official intervention.’ The counsel for the defence looks apologetically at Sophie. ‘Frau Holl is appealing against the bringing of the charge. We refer Your Honour to the Health Code, Article 28. We’re seeking an exemption.’
    ‘An exemption!’ Barker slaps his hand against his desk in amusement. ‘Honestly, Rosentreter, couldn’t you talk her out of it?’
    The colour has vanished from Sophie’s ruddy cheeks. Sophie doesn’t like herself when she loses her cool. Anger is an unhealthy emotion that runs counter to her natural disposition. Knowing this only adds to her fury.
    ‘The defendant is apparently of the opinion that her actions are beyond the jurisdiction of this court,’ she says coldly. ‘She also seems to think that the judge is incapable of assessing her personal situation, whereas the judge in question has bent over backwards on her account.’
    Mia’s mouth is half open. Right now, the arrangement of her features says nothing about her need for harmony; she simply looks out of her depth. She also looks stupid – stupid in an obstinate way. She looks from one to the other like a dog that can’t quite remember which of them is her master. At last she gestures towards Rosentreter. ‘My lawyer told me …’
    ‘My client needs peace and quiet,’ says Rosentreter, picking a