With Mina, Raven, Star and Artie sitting on one side of the court room, and Nick, Goldie and Blind sitting on the opposing end, the young rookie attorney had a feeling that this case would be a lot harder and less obvious than dealing with a nationality confused Frenchman. And a lot messier.
A towering, peach faced, and bald bailiff with a singular earring stood high between both legal teams. In a deep, and slightly gangster-esque voice, he announced, "All rise fo da honorable Divine Justice."
The stocky, middle aged, ex soul singer walked up to the platform in her judges robe and banged the gaval. "Court is now in session. Today we are hosting the case of Lord V. Star E. Skye. A most regrettable one, as many children would not like to see Miss Skye, their favorite actress be accused for murder."
The judge narrowed her auburn eyes at Star. "But this, sweetheart, is not a fantasy but rather real life, and you will be convicted if found guilty."
"Great," Star murmured as her broad shoulders sunk in her chair. "She already hates me. Look at the way she's glaring at me."
"I think that's just her face," Mina answered, trying to remain chipper.
"Rule of Law #475," Raven began. "It's not what the judge says, but what they do that you should worry about."
"The prosecutor," Lady Divine started and she clasped her hands. "My sweet grandson, you may proceed with the charges."
Blind Justice rose to his feet. "Just a moment your honor. My client is a minute away from the courtroom."
"His client?" Mina exclaimed. "I thought Nick Beard was his client."
"Nah kiddo," Raven smirked. "He and the blonde security chick are just witnesses. Remember, the case is Lord V. Skye..."
Mina placed her palm in her face. "Duh," she remarked. "But uh...how can Dirk Lord sue Star Skye? Isn't he kind of..."
The door creaked open and yet another strange character assaulted Mina's eyes. A man dressed in a light grey suit similar to Wee Wee Herman stood in the back of the court room. He sported bright red glasses and there was a wide grin affixed to his face. But perhaps the weirdest aspect of him was the oversized carnation that seemingly sprouted from his chest. The weirdest thing was the fact he looked exactly like the murder victim, Dirk Lord.
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"Howdy!" he exclaimed in a goofy tone of voice. "How you ladies and germs doing tonight? Er...that's what I'd say if this was my regular routine at the Going For Joke Nightclub on Downtown Boulevard. Nope nopity nope, I'm strictly business."
He waltzed up the aisle straight to Mina in a move that seemingly mirrored the lecherous Dupree. "You must be that hot shot defense attorney," he said with a smile and extended his hand politely.
"Are you...Dirk Lord..." she asked, "back from you know, the dead?"
"Hah!" the man said rather than laughed. "I'm his twin brother Richard Lord. Ritchie for short. Nice to meet ya!"
"Er uh...nice to meet you too?"
Cautiously, Mina moved her hand towards his and shook it. At least, he wasn't kissing her hand like that weird, oily French man from East Orange. Mina was about to pull her hand away when suddenly her hand buzzed like she had just received an electrical shock. She screamed and pulled it away. Ritchie laughed revealing a metallic joybuzzer in the palm of his hand.
"My apologies," he said, laughing at Mina's bright pink face. "I just wanted to see what all the buzz was about with you. Turns out you're a bigger sap than a maple tree. We have nothing to worry about!"
Mina wanted to scream, but she bit her tongue. No use getting penalized by the judge.
The ever sardonic Raven quipped, "That Richard Lord really lives up to his name."
Judging by the series of eyerolls directed at Ritchie, Divine Justice already seemed over the comedian's shenanigans.
Much to Mina's happiness, she reprimanded him. "I hope you don't think this is a comedy club, sonny!"
Ritchie turned around. "Well, I got a stage, an audience and I'm soon gonna be paid an inordinate amount of money if I win them over. It's a gig alright."
The audience burst into laughter. "Thank you, thank you," Ritchie said, bowing. "If this case drags on, I'll be here all week!"
Mina tapped her butterfly necklace, observing Ritchie's behavior like a cat. For a guy who was suing Star over the death of his brother, he sure was in a jokey mood.
Ritchie frowned. "But seriously folks," he said sternly. "Murder is no joke unless you slip on a carefully laid banana peel and crack your head open."
Ritchie glared at Star who glared back at him. "But my actor bro, Dirk...he was shot through the heart by the same woman he had a crush on. She broke his heart literally."
"You know," he said, looking down with misty eyes. "I promised I wouldn't tell anymore jokes but thems the breaks."
The handsome and blind prosecutor stood beside Ritchie. "For the record your honor, I don't find any of my client's insipid and infantile jokes and pranks funny, but deep within his comedic shell is a man grieving over the loss of his brother."
Blind Justice pointed his hand dramatically at Skye. "It is for that reason I will hold a no holds barred prosecution of the defense. I call Star Skye to the stand...and believe me, grandma, she will rue the day she ever decided to screw around with justice!"