terri's loves --revised version 4
The DA checks his watch before picking up his vibrating cell phone. He darts a look to reconfirm that the office door is closed to outsiders. "Hello ? ", he lowers his voice, asking tentatively, expectant and unsure. No answer. He pauses, looking through his office window at the uninterrupted activity of the larger, outer office. Staff members seem unaware, continuing going about the hustle and shuffle of paperwork-- the routine tasks performed by subdued faces that dutifully make the wheels of justice rotate .
Hanging up the phone, the DA squeezes his hands together as if cracking his knuckles, but the only sound is made from the friction of the flesh of his palm against the back of his hand. He arises from the desk, places a legal folder into the open attaché case before closing it quickly and exiting the room.
In the busy larger office, he says nothing to the functionaries, stalking past in as nonchalant a manner as the rapidly fluttering activity of his solar plexus will allow. Deciding against the elevator, after searching around for any curious eyes, he quickly hurtles down the flights of stairs with the excuse of , "Just getting a little exercise" already prepared should anyone ask about , or notice his hurry.
Out the heavy metal side door marked, "For Personnel Only", and into the underground parking lot. Keys igniting the purr of the BMW, he cautiously checks the mirrors before entering traffic. Only six blocks until the turn leading to the ramp for the expressway leaving the downtown complex. A slightly noticeable skin of perspiration has begun to gather on the DA's forehead. He negotiates the lanes of the expressway seeking the least occupied route to his destination.
He turns from the usual local radio chatter to a broadcast of Beethoven's Symphony Number Three in e flat major recorded by Esterhazy, but it fails to reduce his agitation. He clicks off the radio and decides to complete the ride in silence. Less than five minutes later he finds himself again accompanied by the familiar FM chatter of the late morning talk stations. Catching himself , he once more hits the 'off 'switch and returns to the outer silence with the engine's purr serving as background soundtrack for his anxious thoughts .
Still lost in the swirl of words and images inside his head and the anxiety they become in his body, he turns off at the appropriate exit ramp gradually motoring down from the expressway's higher speeds to those more acceptable for the parking lot of "Aphrodite's " -- a fading, but still smart Mediterranean flavored eatery and watering oasis that has once been one of the many choices of the downtown set.
The DA parks his car away from the building and near the dark grey Chevy Traverse idling quietly in the lot. Eyes darting again he sees nothing uncustomary for that place and time of day as he leaves the BMW and hustles into the privacy behind the SUV's dark tinted windows .
He nods towards the former law clerk for the Honorable Lewis C. Wilkinson behind the wheel of the SUV.
"Greetings Leonard , the old man has a problem that he hopes you can solve, " the younger man wastes no time. Circumstances have forced a sudden end to his legal aspirations, but due to his loyalty, and competence at getting unpleasant tasks done, the Judge has quietly helped him avoid incarceration and keeps him on in a distant and unofficial status as an 'independent contractor' of sorts.
"What's he need this time? " the DA grumbles.
"Leonard… Leonard , is that the gratitude we show our benefactors? " the younger reproaches gently , while grinning .
"When does it ever end ? " The DA continues grumbling.
" You know the deal. You wash our hands, we wash your hands--When do they ever stop needing washing ? " the younger man's voice shows traces of cynicism hardening.
Niceties completed, the judge's unofficial 'fixer' gets down to the basics.
"The 'old man' is nervous about this Gentry case. If she goes to trial--takes the stand -- questioning could prove embarrassing to certain people. "
"What the hell am I supposed to do --let her go free? There's too much publicity ."
"The 'old man' is well aware of your need for public approval to advance your political aspirations. He is also aware of your need for financial support for those aspirations.
He won't forget you when you need his 'influence'.
He really doesn't want this woman to take the stand and risk her blathering too much under cross examination. He just wants her to go away --quietly. He wants--if needed-- for her to be allowed an insanity defense. "
The DA is caught off guard and unable to keep his mouth from partially dropping open.
"You know how much BEE-HIND is going to have to be kissed to make that happen?" the attorney asks.
"You know how many favors spread around ? A court approval for an insanity defense is hard as hell to get --and even harder to win. Her own lawyers might not even go for it. " The DA could not conceal his surprise, or doubts.
"Calm down, Leonard, it's in the works --It's as sure as tomorrow's sunrise. You know how the old man is when he wants something done. You especially, should know that."
"Look, kid, it's not going to work --it's too difficult to pull off that kind of defense. The judge should know that …"
"As an attorney for the district, Leonard, I'm all the more surprised at you. Even I know that the main reason insanity defenses fail is because a hostile magistrate presiding, either refuses to allow the defense's psychological experts the opportunity to FULLY educate the jury about the nature of defendant's disorder , or the hostile magistrate refuses to allow the jury a chance to refine the 'not guilty by reason of insanity' verdict to 'not RESPONSIBLE by reason of insanity.'--Maybe I should petition the state for restoration of my …ah …never mind…a pipe dream…." the younger man almost sighs from nostalgia.
"Leonard, Mrs. Gentry will win because, first of all, she actually IS insane and secondly, the presiding magistrate--whoever it may be--- will NOT be hostile to her insanity defense. It's as simple as that. "
" The old man's got it all figured out ..huh, kid ? "
"The hard part isn't even winning the insanity case, the hardest part is getting the courts to allow an insanity defense--you know that, Counselor--The rest is easy once that is done. "
Relax, the Terri Gentry case will never even go to trial. The felonies she committed were due to the influence of some of the low life scumbag she was involved with. It's like she has a compulsion to please men. It's part of her psychosis -- her distorted perception of reality. But she'll be taken care of. First, arrangements will be made with the state Board of Psychiatry to approve an 'insanity defense' --then she's offered a plea bargain down to lesser offense --then, finally, she's quietly off to the State hospital for five to ten years of Thorazine and Prozac cocktails. She gets the help she needs--the potential embarrassment goes away --A certain crime fighting DA maintains his 'tough on criminals' image. In the future when he needs them, the campaign cash faucets flow . "
"Jesus! That easy …huh? But what's the REAL reason? Besides all the other felonies she's charged with, what the hell else did this Gentry chick do? Bang a magistrate ?" the DA asks.
" 'A' magistrate ? " the younger man cannot hold back his laughter at the DA's apparently ludicrous question .
The younger man pauses, and in that single moment, assesses the older man to be a 'chump' the instant the younger detects from within the elder's eyes, the incredulity leering out, like the unmistakable rube in the big city.
T he younger man leans in to whisper forcefully.
" 'A' magistrate? More like she banged a Supreme Court bench worth of magistrates --She'll do anything to please. She'll be anything you can want. The old man had his personal shrink covertly evaluate her. After he banged her too, he says it's part of her disorder. A severely disturbed woman with an intense craving to please men in authority.
Empties herself out and fills herself up with whatever pleases them. Whatever they tell her. Like a total sexual submissive that lives to please men . A complete exual accommodationist. A sexual chameleon who loves to play any sexual game. She can play 'lonely housewife gets fucked by the TV repairman', she can play 'geisha here to serve you' . She can play innocent little school girl, she can play wild biker chick. She can play sweet angel --dirty whore--ditzy valley girl -- queen royal highness-- young casting couch starlet--Lady Proper fucking Victoria -- Mistress 'you've been a bad boy' dominatrix. Name it, she'll do it.
She can convincingly be any woman, any nationality you ask her to be. Persuade you she is any woman, or any girl you ever wanted --she always compellingly managed to pull it off. Like she was running a one woman escort service for magistrates. Those old bastards couldn't get enough-- None of us could ." He laughs with a tiny fissure of regret now within the glint of his eyes. "She made some of the most powerful men in this state grovel and beg like little bitchboys--And now those same men want any potential leaks about it squashed. "
"And that's where you come in, District Attorney ."
Hanging up the phone, the DA squeezes his hands together as if cracking his knuckles, but the only sound is made from the friction of the flesh of his palm against the back of his hand. He arises from the desk, places a legal folder into the open attaché case before closing it quickly and exiting the room.
In the busy larger office, he says nothing to the functionaries, stalking past in as nonchalant a manner as the rapidly fluttering activity of his solar plexus will allow. Deciding against the elevator, after searching around for any curious eyes, he quickly hurtles down the flights of stairs with the excuse of , "Just getting a little exercise" already prepared should anyone ask about , or notice his hurry.
Out the heavy metal side door marked, "For Personnel Only", and into the underground parking lot. Keys igniting the purr of the BMW, he cautiously checks the mirrors before entering traffic. Only six blocks until the turn leading to the ramp for the expressway leaving the downtown complex. A slightly noticeable skin of perspiration has begun to gather on the DA's forehead. He negotiates the lanes of the expressway seeking the least occupied route to his destination.
He turns from the usual local radio chatter to a broadcast of Beethoven's Symphony Number Three in e flat major recorded by Esterhazy, but it fails to reduce his agitation. He clicks off the radio and decides to complete the ride in silence. Less than five minutes later he finds himself again accompanied by the familiar FM chatter of the late morning talk stations. Catching himself , he once more hits the 'off 'switch and returns to the outer silence with the engine's purr serving as background soundtrack for his anxious thoughts .
Still lost in the swirl of words and images inside his head and the anxiety they become in his body, he turns off at the appropriate exit ramp gradually motoring down from the expressway's higher speeds to those more acceptable for the parking lot of "Aphrodite's " -- a fading, but still smart Mediterranean flavored eatery and watering oasis that has once been one of the many choices of the downtown set.
The DA parks his car away from the building and near the dark grey Chevy Traverse idling quietly in the lot. Eyes darting again he sees nothing uncustomary for that place and time of day as he leaves the BMW and hustles into the privacy behind the SUV's dark tinted windows .
He nods towards the former law clerk for the Honorable Lewis C. Wilkinson behind the wheel of the SUV.
"Greetings Leonard , the old man has a problem that he hopes you can solve, " the younger man wastes no time. Circumstances have forced a sudden end to his legal aspirations, but due to his loyalty, and competence at getting unpleasant tasks done, the Judge has quietly helped him avoid incarceration and keeps him on in a distant and unofficial status as an 'independent contractor' of sorts.
"What's he need this time? " the DA grumbles.
"Leonard… Leonard , is that the gratitude we show our benefactors? " the younger reproaches gently , while grinning .
"When does it ever end ? " The DA continues grumbling.
" You know the deal. You wash our hands, we wash your hands--When do they ever stop needing washing ? " the younger man's voice shows traces of cynicism hardening.
Niceties completed, the judge's unofficial 'fixer' gets down to the basics.
"The 'old man' is nervous about this Gentry case. If she goes to trial--takes the stand -- questioning could prove embarrassing to certain people. "
"What the hell am I supposed to do --let her go free? There's too much publicity ."
"The 'old man' is well aware of your need for public approval to advance your political aspirations. He is also aware of your need for financial support for those aspirations.
He won't forget you when you need his 'influence'.
He really doesn't want this woman to take the stand and risk her blathering too much under cross examination. He just wants her to go away --quietly. He wants--if needed-- for her to be allowed an insanity defense. "
The DA is caught off guard and unable to keep his mouth from partially dropping open.
"You know how much BEE-HIND is going to have to be kissed to make that happen?" the attorney asks.
"You know how many favors spread around ? A court approval for an insanity defense is hard as hell to get --and even harder to win. Her own lawyers might not even go for it. " The DA could not conceal his surprise, or doubts.
"Calm down, Leonard, it's in the works --It's as sure as tomorrow's sunrise. You know how the old man is when he wants something done. You especially, should know that."
"Look, kid, it's not going to work --it's too difficult to pull off that kind of defense. The judge should know that …"
"As an attorney for the district, Leonard, I'm all the more surprised at you. Even I know that the main reason insanity defenses fail is because a hostile magistrate presiding, either refuses to allow the defense's psychological experts the opportunity to FULLY educate the jury about the nature of defendant's disorder , or the hostile magistrate refuses to allow the jury a chance to refine the 'not guilty by reason of insanity' verdict to 'not RESPONSIBLE by reason of insanity.'--Maybe I should petition the state for restoration of my …ah …never mind…a pipe dream…." the younger man almost sighs from nostalgia.
"Leonard, Mrs. Gentry will win because, first of all, she actually IS insane and secondly, the presiding magistrate--whoever it may be--- will NOT be hostile to her insanity defense. It's as simple as that. "
" The old man's got it all figured out ..huh, kid ? "
"The hard part isn't even winning the insanity case, the hardest part is getting the courts to allow an insanity defense--you know that, Counselor--The rest is easy once that is done. "
Relax, the Terri Gentry case will never even go to trial. The felonies she committed were due to the influence of some of the low life scumbag she was involved with. It's like she has a compulsion to please men. It's part of her psychosis -- her distorted perception of reality. But she'll be taken care of. First, arrangements will be made with the state Board of Psychiatry to approve an 'insanity defense' --then she's offered a plea bargain down to lesser offense --then, finally, she's quietly off to the State hospital for five to ten years of Thorazine and Prozac cocktails. She gets the help she needs--the potential embarrassment goes away --A certain crime fighting DA maintains his 'tough on criminals' image. In the future when he needs them, the campaign cash faucets flow . "
"Jesus! That easy …huh? But what's the REAL reason? Besides all the other felonies she's charged with, what the hell else did this Gentry chick do? Bang a magistrate ?" the DA asks.
" 'A' magistrate ? " the younger man cannot hold back his laughter at the DA's apparently ludicrous question .
The younger man pauses, and in that single moment, assesses the older man to be a 'chump' the instant the younger detects from within the elder's eyes, the incredulity leering out, like the unmistakable rube in the big city.
T he younger man leans in to whisper forcefully.
" 'A' magistrate? More like she banged a Supreme Court bench worth of magistrates --She'll do anything to please. She'll be anything you can want. The old man had his personal shrink covertly evaluate her. After he banged her too, he says it's part of her disorder. A severely disturbed woman with an intense craving to please men in authority.
Empties herself out and fills herself up with whatever pleases them. Whatever they tell her. Like a total sexual submissive that lives to please men . A complete exual accommodationist. A sexual chameleon who loves to play any sexual game. She can play 'lonely housewife gets fucked by the TV repairman', she can play 'geisha here to serve you' . She can play innocent little school girl, she can play wild biker chick. She can play sweet angel --dirty whore--ditzy valley girl -- queen royal highness-- young casting couch starlet--Lady Proper fucking Victoria -- Mistress 'you've been a bad boy' dominatrix. Name it, she'll do it.
She can convincingly be any woman, any nationality you ask her to be. Persuade you she is any woman, or any girl you ever wanted --she always compellingly managed to pull it off. Like she was running a one woman escort service for magistrates. Those old bastards couldn't get enough-- None of us could ." He laughs with a tiny fissure of regret now within the glint of his eyes. "She made some of the most powerful men in this state grovel and beg like little bitchboys--And now those same men want any potential leaks about it squashed. "
"And that's where you come in, District Attorney ."