Title: Turnabout memories
Author: Mr Gutsy
Rating:T
Genre:Drama
Status: Work in progress.
Pairing: None as of yet. Other than the obvious Dollie/Feenie.
Summary: 3-1 as a short novel. Obvious spoilers are obvious.

In this fic I'm trying to work on characterisation, so let me know how I've managed. Do they characters seem like who they're supposed to be? Or do they fall flat and come across as stuffy, rigid and artifical?

Onto the main feature...
Itallics denotes Mias thoughts for the most part. It should be obvious when its not.


11 April 9.35AM, District Courthouse.

The commute to the courthouse had been a rushed affair that morning, partly out of nerves and out of anxiety to not set a poor impression. Mia knew that taking this court case at the last minute wasn’t the smartest of ideas but she needed to get back into the courtroom no matter how difficult or painful it was.

This place holds a lot of bitter memories; she thought to herself as she marched through the entrance lobby, heel’s clacking to the defendants lobby. The last time I was here it ended in tragedy. Not today. This time, I won’t let it happen. Not today. Positive mental attitude Mia, you can do this.

She’d finally reached her destination, and the small clock above the entrance to the courtroom duly informed her that she’d arrived with twenty minutes to spare. Phew, she let out a relived sigh that she hadn’t realised she was holding and sat down in one of the opulently furnished chairs and opened up a small manila folder. Inside it contained a number of dossier detailing the dates, times reports, affidavits from various witnesses of the crime her defendant was accused of.

My arsenal to uncover the truth, she thought grimly, all lies pale in comparison to the light of truth and justice. Although I wish I’d had more time to examine the details more closely, then again Mia, you always were a little reckless and gutsy, even back home. She closed her eyes for a brief moment allowing the memories of playing in Kurain manor with her younger sister to wash over her, soothing, relieving her of the tension and anxieties. It was a simple meditative technique taught to even the lowest acolyte back home to sooth them of their troubles.

Her reverie was broken short by a sudden loud cough to her left, startled and hit with the sudden panic that she’d somehow managed to miss the start of the trial her eyes slid up to the little clock. 9.45am!! Thank goodness for that! With her panic eased she could now afford her attention to the owner of the offensive cough.

“Ah, good morning Marvin,” as she made eye contact with Marvin Grossberg, her boss and leading partner of Grossberg & Co. Marvin was a large gentleman dressed in a bright mauve morning suit. His critics called him unkindly, the’ fat, spectacled Walrus’, due to his large bushy moustache much akin to a walrus’s tusks. His girth was in part due to his success and in part due to his inane craving for the confection sherbet lemons. He could never get enough of them. Whenever he was asked why, he’d remark that they reminded him of his ‘lost youth’ and would then lose himself in a number of fond recollections.

Despite that he was an exceptional attorney at law with a stream of successful cases and whilst he had a kind face and gentle manner, when the occasion called for it he could become quite an imposing individual.

“Here, have a seat” Mia said as she quickly sorted and packed most of her case files back (except for the most relevant) into the manila folder and made space for Marvin. With a quick good morning and a thank you, Marvin wasted no time in accepting Mia’s offer quickly sat down and reached into his own briefcase... bringing out a white paper bag containing his beloved candy, sherbet lemons.

“Sherbet lemon my dear?” he offered as he opened the bag and offered her. “No thanks, though I wouldn’t say no to some coffee” came the terse reply dismissing the bag with a small wave, seeing her rejection he stuck a hand in and wrestled around looking for the zestiest candy he could find.

“I’m sure the courthouse will provide some, don’t worry my dear,” Marvin replied, sighing heavily as he fidgeted with a stuck lemon he wanted. “Now, are you sure you wish to go through with this?“ this caught Mia’s full attention and she stopped frantically peering over the documents and looked up to Grossberg. “You did take this case up very suddenly and without much preparation.”

The first thing she could see was worry written into his careworn face, his walrus moustache raised in a clear frown, his brows furrowed, his eyes searching for something in his apprentice, but what? Mia asked herself; before it came to her in a flash: he’s testing my resolve, my nerves. Or does he suspect... Mentally slapping herself she immediately sought to ease her superior’s worries.

“Don’t worry Marvin; I can take care of this. If I don’t try and get over what happened now then I’ll never set foot in a courtroom again.” She said, smoothly and with false confidence.

“That’s not what I was getting at my dear,” Marvin paused for a moment giving another loud cough as he did so. “I’ve familiarised myself with this case also and I happen to know that she’s on the witness list. Let’s make one thing clear, whether or not you think shes guilty for that case you are NOT bringing up a personal vendetta in court. Not only is it highly unprofessional, but you’ll lose the case and convict the poor fellow you’re supposed to be defending.”

“Of course, Marvin, my duty is to my client not my personal opinions and grudges, I know that. It’s just that I thought now was the time to get back into the courtroom.” Whilst it wasn’t a complete lie, it was enough to ease Marvin, who visibly relaxed. But you’re partially right, I want to catch her, expose her for the fraud that she is and make her pay for her crimes.

“Good, in that case, I’ve no objections to you taking this case, but there is one simple stipulation. I will stand with you as your co-counsel for this case in the event you are unable to proceed.”

“I accept,” Mia said and gave a small smile, although I’ve no intention of backing down in court.
“Excellent!” With his business concluded he popped the unstuck sherbet lemon into his mouth and began savouring the flavour in earnest. “Ahhh lemons, the scent of my youth...!

Mia chuckled inwardly; it was well known within Grossberg & Co, that this drove Marvin’s personal secretary mad. She couldn’t stand sherbet lemons. At all. Years of being offered them and hearing Marvin utter that mantra had turned her against the candy.

It brought a small smile to her face which was quickly wiped off with the arrival of the defendant. Good grief what is he wearing?! She thought to herself, her defendant, a Mr Phoenix Wry according to the court records was dressed in some of the most ridiculous clothing she’d ever seen.

A quick glance and the first thing one noticed about Mr Wry was that he had the most ridiculous spiky hair like a porcupine. He was wearing a surgeon’s mask for some unexplained reason. To accent this oddity he wore the most single handed awful jumper in the world. It was a bright shock pink, made of wool and appeared to be hand knitted, and in the centre had a love heart with the letter ‘F’ had been stitched onto it. I’ll bet my bottom dollar she made him wear that. From the waist down it was respectable. He’d dressed in a smart but casual pair of black trousers, accompanied by smart brightly polished shoes. It made no sense whatsoever.

“What is that?” she muttered to herself taking in this atrocity of fashion, it had caught the attention of Marvin who choked on his sherbet lemon with a cry of dear heavens! A few pats on the back from Mia and he’d managed to regain some semblance of control.

“That if I were to hazard a guess, would be your defendant my dear.” Was Marvin’s simple reply.
“I know that!” Mia snapped, “What the hell is he wearing?”

“H..el...llo ??”

Mia jumped at the sound of a man’s voice and turned around wildly on the spot to find the source.
It was the mask wearing Mr Wry. He'd managed to get close whilst she'd been tending to Marvin's choking fit.
From what little she could make out of his face, he looked scared, like a small child who didn’t know that he’d done wrong.

You need to calm him down Mia, give a him a smile tell him it’s all going to ok.

“Hello, Mr Wry wasn’t it? His brown eyes locked onto hers and he gave a loud sneeze and started rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
“Er.... It’s Wright actually, as in the Wright brothers
who are you? You weren't at the police station!” his voice was quiet and a little bit strained, but that was to be expected in such a situation.

“I’m your attorney Mr Wright, Mia Fey. If you’re innocent which I know you are, then we’ll have you out of here in no time”, flashing Mr Wright a confident smile and a small handshake. “One piece of advice though, tell the truth.”
This seemed to offend Mr Wright, who suddenly looked indignant “Why of course I would!! What an earth would make you think I wouldn’t!? “Just a hunch.... didn’t expect you to be so fiery about it. Hmm...

“Nothing Mr Wright, I just thought that I’d –“ Mia was suddenly interrupted by an announcement from the loudspeaker informing individuals involved in State vs Wry were now to proceed to courtroom 2. Mr Wright was hauled off suddenly by his guard in the direction of the court room.

“Good luck!” was all he could say before he was dragged forcefully into the courtroom.
I’ll need it, but don’t worry Mr Wright, I’ll prove your innocence and reveal the truth, no matter how harsh it may be.


Fin. As before, constructive criticisim and insults are all welcome.

I am liking htis so far. You're descriptions are good. :3

This is good! Mia doesnt come off flat at all, I like the way we get to see her thinking back to her childhood to relax, It makes her feel more real!

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Hey, this is awesome! I don't know why you're scared of the characters seeming flat; you've put details in there that, as my slightly crazy English teacher would say, "brought them into sparklingly clear life like a butterfly spreading its wings!". (Yeah, she said that. Twice. XD) Anyway, I am looking forward to updates!

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