INT THE JURY DELIBERATION ROOM
A YOUNG MAN is sitting in a room at a table with 11 other people. His name is AIDEN. The one conducting the meeting is TEDD.
TEDD
“His past can’t be overlooked. He committed grievous bodily harm at the ages of 13, 15 and 17. Three times? That definitely seems like someone who is going to reoffend again.”
HELEN, a well dressed business woman, speaks out.
HELEN
“You say that, but circumstances are different now. He’s 43, wife, kids. He takes them to ballet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The teacher says he’s not missed a single performance since they started. Not saying ignore it but what changed that made him act out the way he did.”
Aiden reaches into his bag as the conversation returns back to Tedd.
TEDD
“All he needs is one bad day.”
HELEN
“Did you just quote The Joker?”
Aiden brings out a bucket of KFC chicken and places it on the table in front of him. He goes to eat one when JOY, an older bespectacled woman, reaches her hand out. Aiden immediately pulls the bucket towards him.
AIDEN
“Joy? What are you doing?”
JOY
“Just asking for perhaps one piece. I haven’t had anything today.”
AIDEN
“I know. We’ve been in the same room together. That’s why I brought my own food. And also, why ask me before I’ve even had a bite? You could have asked me when I was maybe 6 deep but I haven’t even started. And don’t even get me-”
Tedd cuts Aiden off mid-rant.
TEDD
“Both of you, can we not? Please?”
JOY
“Oh, alright.”
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Joy leans back into her seat whereas Aiden nods his head while he begins to devour his first piece.
HELEN
“So what were you saying that was a quote from a movie?”
TEDD
“It just applies, okay? I’m saying that he did have a bad day that day. Car gets rear ended, too damaged to drive to the daughters' performance. He was going through it. I get that but, if things like that trigger him, what else can we do but find him guilty of assault and battery?”
Aiden begins sucking on the bone quite loudly. The room all looks over to him. Aiden stares up.
AIDEN
“Sorry. I got into it.”
JOY
“Are you sure I can’t have one? It says here that it’s a 14 piece party bucket.”
Joy holds up the receipt for the KFC that was in the paper bag it came in.
AIDEN
“No! And not just no but never. Do you know how much this cost me?”
JOY
“£26.99”
AIDEN
“THAT’S NOT THE POINT!”
Tedd waves his hand to get their attention.
TEDD
“Look, just give her one and let's move on. Okay-”
AIDEN
“No! Not okay, Tedd with two d’s! How am I supposed to stand up against inequality if I can’t stand up for my own chicken? Huh?”
TEDD
“It’s not like that-”
AIDEN
“Isn’t it?”
Aiden slams his hand on the table and speaks through gritted teeth.
AIDEN
“Isn’t it?!”
HELEN
“Aiden, you’ve got to settle down mate. Are you really going to get into an argument over some chicken?”
AIDEN
“Someone is.”
HELEN
“Yeah. You.”
AIDEN
“No, it’s a line from Game of Thrones.”
HELEN
“And that’s two. Lets not quote a third thing and just get this over with. Alright?”
Helen gets up and raises her arm.
HELEN
“All those who believe the defendant to be guilty, please raise their hands.”
All the hands go up except for that of Aidens, who is licking his fingers.
HELEN
“And all those for the innocent.”
No one raises their hands.
HELEN
“Aiden, you still have to raise your hand if you don’t agree.”
AIDEN
“No, I agree with the first one. I just didn’t raise it because my hands are greasy.”
HELEN
“Just raise your hand when I ask then.”
AIDEN
“Alright.”
HELEN
“All those who find the defendant guilty, raise your hands.”
Everyone raises their hands. It is at this point Joy reaches over the table and grabs Aidens bucket. Aiden dives for the chicken but she begins growling and chomping away at the chicken.
AIDEN
“JOY! YOU COLD HEARTED BI-”
END