"Sorry ma'am, pardon me mister!"

Eighteen year old Ruby Hawkins ran through the dusty daytime streets of Holy Toledo. She carefully cradled a warm cup of tea as her lacey purple dress trailed after her.

The sun shone on her dainty face. It was as pale and fair as the porcelain china cup she held. Her long brunette hair was tied messily back in a bun and a pair of crystals dangled from her ears as she bounced and weaved through the crowds, trying to get to the courthouse.

It was a very, very important day.

Her best friend was on trial for cold blooded murder… in the first degree.

Reaching the courthouse, she took a deep breath and marveled at it. A fresh white coat of paint marked the beginning of law and order in this lawless town.

She had gone to school to study law, and even if it wasn't allowed for women to practice in the state of New York, her mentor, Professor Nathaniel Lawson had devised a plan for her–and it involved traveling to the otherwise lawless Holy Toledo.

But one week later, after arriving in the town, her career as an attorney had not materialized. (Neither had Nate himself.) She was just there to provide comfort (and tea) to her best friend.

Ruby rushed into the courtroom, its wooden foundation filled with pews like a church. The courthouse was one once, but the town had decided they were in desperate need for law and order rather than worship.

Everyone stared at the fussy young woman, trying to make sure every drop of herbal tea remained inside the china cup.

At last, she reached the center of the courtroom.

The judge and the prosecutor were nowhere to be seen, but someone was sitting at the defense bench. A young woman with curly blonde pigtails reclined with her eyes downcast. She raised her upturned nose when she saw saw Ruby.

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

"Ruby," the woman exclaimed in a haughty British accent. "Thank the saint of this bloody town. I'm glad you're here…and with my tea too!"

Ruby curtsied politely in the wake of her friend. Priscilla Prettipenni was the snootiest girl she knew and she preferred formalities even in the middle of a Texas desert.

As the two settled down at the desk, Priscilla smelled the herbal tea and sighed. "I swear, no one knows how to brew a bloody cuppa in this town. Thankfully you're here!"

Ruby gave a gawky smile with slightly uneven teeth. "You always were the Princess and the Tea, Prissy. It was the least I could do considering what happened…"

Priscilla took a long sip of the tea. Even with the caffeine, she was a bundle of nerves.

Once she was done drinking it like a proper lady, Priscilla whined. "Oh Ruby, I'm not cut out for prison. I'm much too frilly. Who knows what awful clothes they'll make me wear. Frayed ends or those godawful horizontal prison stripes!"

She pretended to faint with her hand over her head. Ruby gave her a serious look to offset her hammy behavior. "I don't think fashion crimes are why you're on trial, Prissy."

Priscilla sighed again. "I know. It's because…of daddy. They think I…killed him."

Ruby immediately shook her head.

Priscilla was bratty, spoiled and well, prissy, but she wasn't a cold blooded murderer.

"And to make matters worse," Priscilla cried. "No attorney…will take my case. Probably because…we don't have any in this lawless hellhole!"

Ruby pursed her lips. "What about Nate Lawson? My mentor!"

Priscilla mock fainted again. "He's nowhere to be seen! He always was eccentric, but now that dunderhead has left me to hang…literally."

Ruby observed the tears in her friend's eyes as she condemned herself.

An absolutely mad thought crossed her mind.

It was madder than mad cow disease, but actually quite wonderful.

Ruby took Priscilla's gloved hand.

"My lanta!" Ruby grinned. "Prissy. Why don't I defend you?! Nate did train me to be a defense attorney! And you know I'd love for you to be my first client!"

Suddenly, Priscilla didn't look so resigned for the gallows.

A smile came across her face. "Ruby. That's bloody marvelous. I would love for you to be…"

"Haw!" A voice laughed in a Texas accent. "Yee-haw haw haw! A female defense attorney…? There's more of a chance of an eleven gallon hat being in style, missy!"

Priscilla and Ruby's jaws nearly hit the table when they sawa man in the most ridiculous getup.

It was the town's prosecutor.