Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: RESOLUTION (01/07/16)
-
TITLE: For the Record | Previous Challenge Entry
By LINDA GERMAIN
01/11/16 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
The Prosecutor and Defense Attorney each have an agenda when calling folks to confirm or deny this or that. Witnesses on both sides seem evenly divided between the questionable and the believable.
The burly bailiff bellows, “ALL RISE!”
Once again, this unique gathering briefly lumbers to its collective feet to honor his honor. My arthritic knees are killing me. How many more times can I do this?
I glance at the weary jury members and jot more notes. I can’t recall their names but on a whim have begun to tag them with labels of the dozen Disciples from the Bible. From inside my fanciful meanderings, I don’t assign a role for the no-nonsense judge. He certainly isn’t how I would picture the Lord. The gavel-pounding man’s exterior would scare the most innocent person.
As the sharp-suited lawyers drone on and on, I focus on each wary witness who swears to tell the truth and nothing but. Hah! When has that ever happened in a trial? Some are fidgety, some are hostile, some cry, and a few are perfect examples of bad acting and memorized scripts. Where’s the blind justice?
For a while, I concentrate on the resolute twelve. If they were wearing robes, like the judge, they could pass for a choir. Each is charged to render his own interpretation of the songs (evidence) he hears, and yet, to sing in perfect harmony.
Hey! I can weave some of that imagery through this real-time tale whose premise is to show the parallels and pitfalls of man’s court against the truth and clarity of life and eternity in God’s court.
It’s already becoming a complicated endeavor to this floundering novice. Creativity is a hard task master.
As I rush to pen more ideas my body groans in protest when I hear the dreaded thunderous admonition once more.
“ALL RISE!”
It’s lunch time.
Can’t the revered leader enter and leave a courtroom without all this leaping up and down? My poor knees scream with pain. Wonder if taking Aspirin would be considered doing drugs in the inner sanctum of law and order and well-entrenched protocol? Doesn’t matter; I don’t have any.
In short order, we’re rising again like fog on a cold morning as the bulldog bailiff snarls his command. I wonder what would happen if I yelled back, “You didn’t say Simon says!” Prudence tells me to keep that to myself as I plop down and turn the page on my developing story.
The loosely connected crime, punishment, forgiveness, and salvation theme needs a working title. For a silly second, as the jury files back in with a verdict, I consider Jesus and His Merry Men, but these unreadable blank faces make me think twice.
Oh no! Here comes the drill sergeant with the megaphone lungs.
“ALL RISE!”
Like obedient soldiers, we jump to comply.
Judge of all illegal, loathsome, immoral, and wicked behavior suddenly shoots through the side door like Superman. His black robe flies cape-like behind him as if trying to catch up with the hero who has the power to do anything. His face has that Mount Rushmore quality.
“Be seated,” Barney the bailiff orders and we all sink in our places like rocks.
This time, I wince out loud as the almost unbearable pain kicks it up a notch in both patellae.
“Mister Foreman,” the judge asks, with no preamble, “Do you have a verdict?”
The big guy I had dubbed Peter answers with noticeable relief.
“We do, your Honor.”
The stern face with half-glasses about to slide off of his mature and experienced nose peers down from his lofty perch. He speaks in a surprisingly kind voice.
“Will the defendant please rise?”
It takes two strong men to help me to my feet and give support. When I hear which road I will take, my flood of tears will not stop.
Half of the packed courtroom cries with me. The other half doesn’t. None of that matters now. The problem is resolved and I’m free at last.
The ending to my story has written itself. I know where I’m going.
Peter catches my eye and smiles.
I need some Aspirin.
_____
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
I was trying to figure out who he was. Maybe a reporter? You completely threw me for a loop when I realized he was the defendant. Nice.
God bless!
Very creative take of the topic.
Keep writing!
Well done.
God bless~