Free Millions for a Song by André Vanasse Page A

asks Mr. Simard to hand the judge a document showing the computer’s serial number and specifications. There is also a sworn affidavit attesting to the absolute truth of the facts reported there. Then he moves on to the main issues. “Tell us, Mr. Simard, is it true that a computer such as this records the minute, hour, day, month, and year for every document produced?”
    An “Objection, Your Honor” rings out from Tom Paradis’ lawyer, but the judge instructs the witness to continue. Martin Simard replies, “Absolutely. The computer automatically indicates the date on which all documents it stores in its memory were created.”
    â€œDoes the user have to initiate that operation?”
    â€œAbsolutely not. Internal software records the data as soon as a new document is created.”
    â€œThat means that if I write a song, say for example ‘Live in the Dark,’ I should be able to find the exact time it was written and saved on the computer?”
    â€œThat is correct.”
    â€œMr. Simard, were you able to search the files on the computer Alex used?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhat about the date on which the song in question was created?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhat was that date, Mr. Simard?”
    â€œFebruary 4 th at 9:29 p.m.”
    â€œCould Alexandre de Vertefeuille or anyone else have changed that date, Mr. Simard?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œMr. Simard, would you please give the judge a copy of your expert findings?”
    Mr. Simard complies while Tom Paradis’ lawyer cries, “Objection, Your Honor!” in an attempt to have Mr. Simard’s testimony ruled inadmissible.
    But the judge is interested in hearing more about this new evidence. He asks Mr. Simard if it would be possible for him to see the process with his own eyes. Mr. Simard is happy to comply, especially since Mr. Biron thought to ask him to bring along a computer. The specialist then walks him through a demonstration that so illuminates the subject that the judge deems his testimony wholly admissible.
    And just like that, the tide turns. If the judge accepts the testimony, it must mean he agrees that I wrote the song on February 4 th , predating the legal paperwork submitted by Tom Paradis by eight months.
    Our opponent’s case lies in ruins. Tom Paradis is livid. He’s drenched in sweat. No matter what his lawyer says now, his arguments have taken a real hit. He can see his fortune slipping through his fingers, and all because of some stupid computer. He’s fuming.
    On our side, it’s pure joy. Mélanie, Jean-François, and Bruno learn for the first time that Mr. Biron has finally found the secret combination to the safe holding thousands of dollars, our dollars. Of course, no one knows that it all started with my brilliant idea. For the time being, that doesn’t matter. They’ll find out soon enough! I’m not one to play down my exploits!
    We have every reason to celebrate. Mr. Biron’s final argument is a masterpiece of logic and rhetoric. The judge is under his spell. It’s clear now, victory is ours.
    Mr. Biron lays it on thick, asking that the royalties be handed over to us in their entirety and that we receive compensation in the sum of $10,000 for exemplary damages or, failing payment, that a prison sentence be imposed on the accused because of the serious nature of his crime.
    The crime is all the more serious, emphasizes Mr. Biron, in that it was perpetrated against minors (that’s us!). The judge himself can’t help but nod as Mr. Biron makes his requests. You should see the expression on Tom Paradis’s face! What pleasure, what joy, what a thrill to see the dramatic transformation.
    As impassioned as his lawyer tries to be, he fails to convince. His final argument falls flat, even as it tries to call into question the validity of the prosecution’s evidence. Me, I’m laughing inside, imagining Tom Paradis