[SCENE ONE]
[Open to the courtroom. Phoenix and Maya are at the defense’s desk. Phoenix is poring over the case papers laid out in front of him while Maya is sitting and looking around the room. Manfred Von Karma is standing looking completely composed and relaxed. The judge enters and sits.]
Judge: (bangs gavel) Court is now in session for the trial of Miles Edgeworth.
Phoenix: (straightening up) The defense is ready you honor.
Von Karma: (Remains quiet)
Judge: Very well, it seems the prosecution is ready as well…would the prosecution please give your opening statement?
[Von Karma is still silent]
Judge: Er…well…no opening statement, so we should now-
Von Karma: OBJECTION! Not so fast, judge! I was merely taking a meaningful pause before speaking!
Judge: (flustered) O-oh, right, of course…
Von Karma: There’s not need for an opening statement, only a prediction! Today’s trial will end THREE MINUTES from now!
[Crowd mutters amongst themselves. Anything audible is along the lines of “what? How can he say that?” “Three Minutes? There’s no way a trail would end that fast!”]
Judge: (bangs his gavel repeatedly) Order! Order! Mr. Von Karma! What is the meaning of that statement!
Von Karma: OBJECTION! Must you really question everything? Your job is to pass judgment, not question! Three Minutes is running fast, and we do not have time to waste on your flimsy “questions”. I will call my witness.
Judge: (meekly) y-yes….
Von Karma: I call my witness…my decisive witness to the stand!
[Old Man enters and takes the stand. He stands there, staring off into space.]
Von Karma: Witness…state your profession.
Old Man: Ah! I, er, am the proprietor of the restaurant, the “Wet Noodle”, at Gourd Lake.
[Von Karma glares at Old Man, who visibly cringes for a moment before recovering.]
Old Man: Oh, I also rent boats.
Von Karma: The night of the incident, you were in the boat rental shop, correct?
Old Man: Ayup, Ayup, I was.
Von Karma: Please Testify.
Phoenix: OBJECTION! Wait a Minute! The witness hasn’t stated his name yet!
Von Karma: OBJECTION! Because it is TRIVIAL, Mr. Wright. My perfect trial will end in three minutes, so sit down, shut up and listen to the testimony!
Judge: The witness will state his name for the court.
Old Man: Mmph! Well, er…I’m not really sure, ayup.
Judge: What do you mean?
Old Man: My, er, memory…
Von Karma: You honor…the witness does not remember ANYTHING beyond the last several years. Ergo, he cannot recall his own name.
Judge: Hmm ...he can’t recall, you say.
Von Karma: But the incident occurred only three days ago, so he can remember that quite well.
Judge: Very Well. Let’s hear his testimony then, shall we, Witness?
Old Man: It was the night of the 24th, just after midnight, ayup. I was in the restaurant…where I, er …rent boats, as usual. Then I heard a “bang!”, Ayup. When I looked out the window, I saw a boat just a’floatin’ on the lake. Then I heard another “Bang!”. Just about the boat comes back to the shore and a man walks by my window.
Judge: Very well, I’d like to begin the cross-examination-
Von Karma: OBJECTION! There is nothing to question in my witness’s testimony! There is no need for cross-examination! There are only ten seconds left before the three minutes is up! Verdict. Now.
Judge: Um…er…(looks desperately at Phoenix) Mr. Wright?
Phoenix; Of course I’ll cross-examine the witness!
Judge: (rushed) Very Well! Begin!
Von Karma: Raaaaaaaaaargh!
[Judge and Maya dive und their respective desks.]
Judge: (Peeking out from under his desk.) E-excuse me? Mr. Von Karma?
Von Karma: (calm) Three minutes just passed.
Judge: (still somewhat shaken) I-I see…Well, Mr. Wright, we can take our time, so please feel free to cross-examine the witness.
Von Karma: Hrmph.
Old Man: It was the night of the 24th, just after midnight, ayup.
Phoenix: HOLD IT! “Just after midnight,” you say?
Old Man: Ayup, just around then.
Phoenix: Are you sure?
Old man: Pretty sure, ayup.
Phoenix: When I talked with you yesterday you were rather vague about the time. I’m surprised you see so sure about it today.
Von Karma: OBJECTION! I asked him, and he remembered. Isn’t that right?
Old Man: D-don’t glare at me like that…! I, er…I remembered it clearly, I did. Ayup.
Von Karma: You see? Continue!
Old Man: I was in the restaurant…where I, er…rent boats, as usual.
Phoenix: HOLD IT! Is there anyone who can verify that?
Old Man: Well, I guess Polly could…
Phoenix: That’s not good enough for a court of law!
Judge: Mr. Wright…what exactly is “not good enough”?
Phoenix: Well, your honor, “Polly” is a, um, parrot.
Judge: A…parrot.
Old Man: Don’t be so hard on the girl, Keithy-boy!
Judge: Kieth…?
Von Karma: OBJECTION! The prosecution concedes that we cannon verify if the witness was in the shop or not. Please continue.
Old Man: Then I heard a “bang!”, Ayup.
Phoenix: HOLD IT! Where did the “bang” seem to come from?
Old Man: From the lake, I figure.
Von Karma: Are you sure?
Old Man: A-ayup.
Karma: Good. Continue!
Old Man: When I looked out the window, I saw a boat just a’floatin’ on the lake.
Phoenix: HOLD IT! Was there someone in the boat?
Old Man: It was pretty far out there…I couldn’t see clearly…but I figure there were two men out there, ayup.
Phoenix: But you just said you couldn’t see them clearly!
Old Man: Ayup…at the time, that is.
Phoenix: At the time-
Von Karma: Irrelevant, Mr. Wright. Witness, continue.
Old Man: Then I heard another “Bang!”.
Phoenix: So you heard two gunshots total?
Old Man: Ayup.
Von Karma: Which was established yesterday, you are wasting this court’s precious time Mr. Wright. I suggest you hurry this along.
Phoenix: R-right…
Old man: Just about the boat comes back to the shore and a man walks by my window.
Phoenix: HOLD IT! By your window?
Old Man: Ayup, right by my window. Right outside the window of my little shack.
Phoenix: Did you see the man’s face?
Old Man: Well, the fog was pretty darn thick, but he was right there in front of me. I saw him.
Judge: This…This is very important! Witness! Add that last statement to your testimony!
Von Karma: Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Old Man: That man was the defendant…he was saying “I can’t believe he’s dead.”
Phoenix: HOLD IT! A-are you sure?!
Old Man: (stares off into space again)
Phoenix: D-Dad!
Old Man: Dead certain, Keith! He said, “I can’t believe he’s dead” as he was walking by, too!
[Crowd mutters unintelligibly in the background.]
Von Karma: Witness! Are you sure that the person you saw was the defendant, Miles Edgeworth?
Old Man: It was him! That Edgeworth boy!
Judge: This is decisive evidence indeed! I see no room for doubt.
Phoenix: (turns to the audience and the crowds murmurs die down some.) Von Karma set this up! He lured me into cross-examining this witness to ensure a decisive victory! I’d better act quickly or this trial will be over in an eye blink!
[The crowd's murmurs crescendo again, sounding angry.]
Maya: Nick…I don’t like how this is going…the whole courtroom’s glaring at us like WE’RE the ones on trial!
Phoenix: OBJECTION! You Honor! We proved in yesterday’s court proceedings that is could not have bee the defendant who fired the gun!
Von Karma: (chuckles somewhat evilly) You are referring to the fingerprints from the defendant’s right hand found on the gun, and the photograph showing a man firing with his left hand, I presume?
Phoenix: Exactly!
Von Karma: That is easily explainable! He could have wiped the prints after he fired! You are ignoring the truth of the matter here! Everything in this witness’s testimony is bulletproof, Mr. Wright.
Judge: hmm….
Phoenix: OBJECTION! You Honor! The witness claims that the defendant said, “I can’t believe he’s dead”…but his word is all we have! If he were telling a lie-
Von Karma: (sounding supremely offended and irritated) OBJECTION! Mr. Wright, need I remind you this is a court of LAW. EVIDENCE tells all, not some paltry conjecture you feel the need to spout in the presence of the court. If you believe the testimony is false, then provide the EVIDENCE to prove it!
Phoenix: Urk..!
Maya: Nick! C’mon we have evidence!…Don’t we?
Phoenix: It’s no good, Maya! We don’t have anything to prove he’s lying. There’s nothing I can do now.
Maya: What?!
Phoenix: To be honest…I have NO idea what to do anymore…
Maya: (stage whisper) Please…Can you hear me, Sis? Please, we need you help! Nick needs you…
Von Karma: (with a triumphant tone) I guess three minutes was perhaps too high an expectation, but still, fifteen minutes isn’t to shabby either! This must be a new record for one of my perfect cases.
Judge: The witness may leave the stand.
[Old Man slowly rambles off-stage]
Judge: I see no reason to further prolong this trial, nor the need for more time to decide the case against the defendant. It is extremely clear and I see no room for misinterpretation of the facts.
Phoenix: (quietly) No! This can’t be the end!
Karma: (to the judge) It certainly took you long enough to come to that conclusion. As I have said, my trials are perfect. There is no room for error.
Judge: Yes, well…the court finds the defendant, Mr. Miles Edgeworth…GUILTY. The accused will surrender to the court immediately, to be held pending trial at a higher court within a month from today’s date. That is all. Court is Ad-
???: WAAAAAAAAIIIIIIT!!!
Judge: What-?! Who was that just now?
[Larry runs up to the witness stand.]
Larry: Me! Err…that is, me, your honor!
Phoenix: Larry, what are you doing?!
Judge: What are you doing here?
Larry: I was there, in the park, the night of the murder! I…I wasn’t sure about it until yesterday. But I remembered!
Judge: What did you remember?
Larry: I heard it too! The Gunshot! I heard it!
[Crowd murmurs]
Judge: (bangs gavel) Order!
Von Karma: OBJECTION! What is the meaning of this?! The verdict has been decided! The case is closed!
Judge: One moment Mr. Von Karma…So, you say you heard a gunshot?
Larry: you bet I did! A gunshot! That night! I was sitting here in the audience, listening to the testimony…then I realized something he said was different from what I remember! Anyhow, I can’t just sit her and let you call Edgey a murderer! It’s…no! It’s just not right! C’mon let me testify!
[The crowds murmuring crescendos.]
Judge: (banging his gavel0 Order! Order! Well, this I the first time anything like this has happened in my court. I’m not quite sure how to proceed…
Von Karma: (somewhat desperate sounding) Judge, you’ve given you verdict! There is no reason for further testimony to be wasted on this farce! The trial is over!
Maya: Nick! Larry’s given us a final shot! Things can’t get much worse so let’s give it a try!
Phoenix: Right, let’s go for it! Your Honor! If there is another witness, it is our duty to hear him speak! Right here, right now!
Karma: A waste of time! A verdict cannot be overturned at this point, Mr. Wright!
Judge: hm…My opinion is this. In court proceedings, it is our duty to prevent an inaccurate verdict. In order to ensure the full truth can be brought to light and a true and just verdict be rendered, every witness should be heard.
Karma: (shocked and outraged) What?! What can you possibly mean by this?!
Judge: I withdraw my previous verdict of “guilty”!
[The crowds murmuring again crescendos.]
Judge: Mr. Von Karma! I order you to call this new witness to testify. Now.
Karma: you do not have the authority to-
Judge: My word is law in this courtroom Mr. Von Karma. You will prepare the next witness for testimony and the court will adjourn for a five-minute recess to allow you time to do so. After the recess we will hear this new witness. Court is adjourned!
[Judge bangs his gavel and stage fades to black.]
[SCENE TWO]
[Open to the defendants lobby during the five-minute recess. Phoenix, Maya and Edgeworth are standing in the middle of the room in a half circle conversing.]
Phoenix: That was WAY to close for comfort. Sorry to keep you on the edge of your seat like that, Edgeworth.
Edgeworth: (shaken somewhat, but attempting to be nonchalant) Hmph. I’ve seen worse.
Phoenix: (under his breath) Yeah, and I’m sure you weren’t sweating bullets there…(normal tone) I wonder what Larry plans to say in there.
Maya: Well, Larry did say he was at the lake last night yesterday right?
Phoenix: Yeah, he said he went looking for the Steel Samurai balloon that flew into the lake.
Maya: Oh, right. And he found the balloon and the air tank that night?
Phoenix: Yeah, or so he says…Hey, Edgeworth
Edgeworth: Huh? You say something, Wright?
Phoenix Yeah, a lot of things. You seem…kinda out of it. What’s wrong?
Edgeworth: It…it’s nothing.
Phoenix: (not convinced) Whatever you say…
Maya: Um, Mr. Edgeworth? Can I ask you something?
Edgeworth: Go on ahead.
Maya: Why ARE your fingerprints on the murder weapon?
Edgeworth: Well, when Hammond fell into the lake, I went into a daze. I couldn’t understand what happened. I couldn’t think straight. When I saw the pistol lying on the floor of the boat in front of me, I picked it up without thinking…I didn’t really have a reason.
Maya: I see…
Edgeworth: Wright.
Phoenix: Yeah?
Edgeworth: This might be our chance.
Phoenix: Our chance? What do you mean?
Edgeworth: Von Karma has only ever run “perfect trials”.
Phoenix: What do you mean by perfect trials?
Edgeworth: Perfectly prepared witnesses, perfectly complete evidence. That’s the secret to his success. This is the first time he’s ever had to deal with something unexpected! He has someone he hasn’t even talked to before testify before the court.
Phoenix; I don’t see what you’re getting at…
Edgeworth: (sighing and talking like one would to a slow child) It’s likely that his testimony is full of holes, Wright.
Maya: That’s right, Nick! No ten minute or whatever trial this time! We’ll milk this one for all it’s worth!
Phoenix: (grinning) I think I can do that…
[Fade to black.]
[SCENE THREE]
[Open back to the courtroom, some slight murmuring in the crowd is heard.]
Judge: (bangs gavel) Court is now back in session. Witness; please testify to the court about everything you saw on the night of December the 24th.
Larry: That night, I was out in a boat on the lake. I was looking for something and I, er, found it. So I quietly slipped the boat back in at the rental dock. Then, just as I was thinking about going home, I heard this “bang”! I looked out over the lake but I didn’t see a boat. So after I heard that single gunshot I went home.
Judge: Hmm…That was an unusually vague testimony, even for this court. In any matter, Mr. Wright, you may begin your cross-examination.
Phoenix: Yes, your honor…
Maya: What’s the matter, Nick?
Phoenix: It’s Larry! I have NO idea what he’s going to say if I press him. Honestly I’m a little scare of what he’ll blurt out…
Maya: We don’t have many choices right now, Nick. Go for it!
Larry: That night, I was out in a boat on the lake.
Phoenix: HOLD IT! …
Judge: What’s the matter, Mr. Wright?
Phoenix: There are so many things wrong I don’t know where to begin…
Judge: I see…
Phoenix: Alright. First of all, what time was it?
Larry: Oh, it was after 11: 00 when I went out in the boat. By that time everyone had gone home for the night. So I waited until the coast was clear, so to speak.
Judge: Why were you out on a boat at such a late hour?
Larry: I was looking for something and I, er, found it.
Phoenix: HOLD IT! Looking for something?
Larry: Er, yeah….
Judge: Mr. Butz, what was it you were looking for?
Von Karma: (harshly) OBJECTION! What the witness was looking for is IRRELEVANT to the case. Most likely he was hunting for “Gourdy” much like the witness we had the other day. (Pauses for a minute before snorting irritatedly and continuing) This is all IRELEVANT! Let’s continue so that we may finish this farce of a cross-examination as quickly as possible.
Larry: So I quietly slipped the boat back in at the rental dock.
Phoenix: HOLD IT! Around what time was that?
Larry: Uh…Well, let’s see…. I figured I was out searching for about an hour…I guess it was around 12:00. Yeah, that sounds right.
Phoenix: you’re not sure?
Larry: Hey, don’t give me that look! I’m not some kind of human sundial okay?!
Phoenix: (covers his eyes with one hand and mutters) People use something called watches these days, Larry…
Larry: Then, just as I was thinking about going home, I heard this “bang”!
Phoenix: HOLD IT! Where did the sound come from?
Larry: Yeah, well, I wasn’t too sure about that. I looked around, you know.
Judge: Did you look at the lake?
Larry: Yeah, I looked over the lake but I didn’t notice anything…
Phoenix: Wasn’t there a boat on the lake?!
[Crowd mutters]
Judge: (bangs gavel) Order! Order! Well? Mr. Butz!
Larry: Whoa, whoa, everybody just calm down, ‘kay? It was really foggy that night. I couldn’t tell whether there was a boat out there or not.
Von Karma: Continue, please.
Larry: Right, so after I heard that single gunshot I went home.
Phoenix: …wait a minute…OBJECTION! Wait a sec, Larry!
Larry: Wh-what?!
Phoenix: You only hear one “bang”?! You’re sure?!
Larry: I just said that!
Phoenix: But, Ms. Lotta Hart testified yesterday that she heard two “bang”s! And the old man who testified before you said the same thing! They both heard two gunshots that night!
Larry: What?
Phoenix: Did you even paying attention when you were up in the gallery?!
Larry: Yo, Nick, please!
Phoenix: Huh…?
Larry: something’s been bothering me. I’m a witness, see? I’m a customer here! So you gotta…treat me nice and stuff, okay?
Judge: Mr. Butz.
Larry: What?
Judge: You only heard ONE gunshot? You are absolutely certain?
Larry: To tell you the truth…I’m not sure…
Judge: Eh?
Phoenix: not sure?! H-how could you not be sure?!
Larry: Um…well, about that…I, uh, I might have missed the other gunshot. I was, uh, listening to something else.
Phoenix: something else?
Larry: My radio, dude! On my headphones.
Phoenix: WHAT?!
[Crowd mutters and several distinct “boos!” are heard.]
Judge: Order! Order! And stop that booing! M-Mr. Butz! You were listening to a radio on earphones?
Larry: Yeah, so what? That a crime?! I listen to my radio; everybody listens to the radio! What’s the big deal?
Judge: Mr. Von Karma…your opinion?
Von Karma: This is a complete farce and a waste of my, yours, and the court’s time. I do not accept this witness. I do not accept his shoddy testimony. Call an end to this debacle and give a verdict. Now.
Judge: …Mr. Wright? Should we continue the testimony?
Phoenix: Your Honor, the defense requests that the witness be allowed to continue his testimony.
Von Karma: Bah! Nothing is more pitiful than a lawyer who can’t realize when he’s lost. You disgust me, Mr. Wright.
Judge: Very, Well…. Mr. Butz please give your testimony again, and be sure to include details like your RADIO.
Larry: right, leave it to me! It’s lonely, being alone on Christmas Eve! That’s why I was listening to an all-requests show on my radio, see? I was listening to it real booming loud, too. But I’m sure I heard that gunshot! I remember exactly what the DJ was saying when I heard it too…
Judge: you were listening to your radio…at high volume?!
Larry: Yeah, what the big problem? Can’t a man listen to his radio in peace? Isn’t this a free country?
Von Karma: Judge. Can you actually believe a word this witness says? What he heard was most likely just an especially loud beat from a radio song.
Judge: True, enough, it IS rather difficult to believe this testimony…
Phoenix: OBJECTION! Wait, your honor! The witness said he remembers exactly what the DJ said when he heard the gunshot!
Judge: Excuse me? “Dee-jay”?
Phoenix: An announcer…the guy who says things on the radio. Anyway! What this means is he heard the sound when there was no music playing! The DJ only talks between songs! So, he could have heard the gunshot from the lake. I would like to Cross-examine the witness, Your Honor!
Judge: Very Well, Mr. Wright.
Phoenix: witness, could you tell the court what the DJ said when you heard the gunshot?
Von Karma: OBJECTION! Mr. Wright! Please cease this pointless questioning of an obviously faulty testimony. What POSSIBLE good could come from knowing what a radio DJ said?!
Judge: Indeed. Mr. Von Karma has a very good point. I’ll allow the question only if you see some reason why we should care?
Phoenix: We should care, Your Honor! Of course we should!
Karma: Why?
Phoenix: Uh, Well, how do you know if we don’t ask him?
Judge: Fine, very well. Mr. Butz, please testify to the court. What was the radio announce saying when you heard the gunshot?
Larry: Well, she said, “Hey! It’s almost Christmas” right as I heard the gunshot!
Phoenix: OBJECTION! Larry! Are you absolutely sure what you’re saying is correct?!
Larry: Huh? What’s with the face? You look scary, dude. Hey, if you’re trying to scare me, you better know I don’t scare that easy!
Judge: Is something the matter, Mr. Wright?
Phoenix: You Honor! Did you just hear what the witness said? The DJ said “Hey! It’s almost Christmas” when he heard that gunshot!
Judge: And…?
Phoenix: “Almost Christmas” means it wasn’t Christmas. Do you realize what this means? When he heard the gunshot it was still Christmas Eve, yet he should have heard that gunshot AFTER midnight!
Judge: What?! Let’s see what the time was on the photo taken when the gun triggered Ms. Hart’s camera…. 12/25, 00:15! Fifteen minutes after midnight on Christmas DAY!
Phoenix: This is a clear contradiction, Your Honor!
[Crowd murmurs]
Judge: (bangs gavel) Order! Order! What does this mea? The two prior witness heard gunshots after midnight. However, this witness says he heard a gunshot before midnight…
Von Karma: Judge, the answer is simple. The current witness is mistaken. Why should we believe his testimony anyway, he seems highly suspicious to me.
Larry: WHAT?!
Judge: Hm…Well, Mr. Wright? What do you think about Mr. Butz’s claim that he heard the gunshot before midnight?
Phoenix: Larry is not mistaken, your Honor! He heard the gunshot before midnight!
Von Karma: …Intriguing postulation. I assume you have some evidence to back it up? As I have stated, court requires evidence, so show me your evidence, if you indeed have any, that shows that there was indeed a gunshot before midnight.
Phoenix: Take a look at this photograph. It was taken by our witness yesterday, Ms. Lotta Hart, with her automatic camera. The timestamp on the photo reads “December 24, 11:50 P.M.”.
Judge: Really? Hm, let me see that…but there nothing on the lake in this picture!
Phoenix: your Honor. The real issue here is not why nothing is shown in the photograph. It is why this photograph even exists!
Judge: What do you mean?
Phoenix: Your Honor…This photograph was taken by an automatic camera. That camera was set to go off in response to loud noises!
Judge: Ah-ha!
Phoenix; There was a loud noise on the lake at 11:50 P.M. That is why this photograph was taken! In other words…When Larry heard that gunshot, it was most definitely Christmas Eve!
Judge: Indeed, it would seem that is the case! Then…where does that leave us? Ms. Hart testified that she heard the gunshots after midnight. Are you claiming that she is mistaken?
Phoenix: Not at all, Your Honor. It is a fact that the camera also triggered at 15 minutes after midnight! Your Honor! That night there were two sets of gunshots with a 25-minute pause between them!
[Crowd murmurs]
Judge: (bangs gavel) Order! Order! Why would this be…?
Von Karma: OBJECTION! Don’t be fooled judge! That camera was set to respond to any loud noise. There is no PROOF that this noise at 11:50 was a gunshot. The witness could have SNEEZED for all we know.
Judge: hm…Well, Mr. Wright there’s no turning back now. Can you prove that the “loud noise” at 11:50 P.M. was indeed a gunshot? Please show the court some evidence if you have any.
Phoenix: This is my evidence you honor. (Gestures to the pistol)
Judge: The…murder weapon?
Phoenix: something about this pistol was bothering me, you Honor. Both of the witnesses who testified previously heard two gunshots. However, the murder weapon was fired three times. When, then, was the last shot fired? Only now I have I realized that the third shot was the one that Larry heard just before midnight!
[Crowd murmurs]
Judge; (bangs gavel) Order! Order! Hm…that would make sense of the evidence we’ve seen so far. However, this leaves me wondering what exactly happened on the lake tan night.
Von Karma: I agree. If what you say is true, Mr. Wright, there were two sets of gunshots separated by 25 minutes! Why would this happen? Since, you seem to be so full of answers today, why don’t you tell us?
Phoenix:…Ah-ha!
Maya: (stage whisper) Wh-what is it, Nick?
Phoenix: (stage whisper) I have it!
Maya: huh?
Phoenix: Remember the Steel Samurai Case?
Maya: huh? Yeah, of course I remember…
Phoenix: The murderer in this case had the same idea as the murderer in that one.
Maya: What do you mean?
Phoenix: I’ve got a hunch; let me run with it, alright?
Maya: right! I mean…is this safe?
Phoenix: Safe? We’ve already gotten a guilty verdict! We’ve got nothing to lose at this point. You just watch and let me know if anything sounds fishy, okay?
Maya: Right, Nick!
Phoenix: Your Honor!
Judge: Yes?
Phoenix: The testimony just now has cleared up this entire case!
Judge: what do you mean, Mr. Wright?!
Von Karma: Tsk, tsk, tsk. So, it has finally dawned on you? It certainly took quite a while. There can be no other murderer that Miles Edgeworth himself!
Phoenix: Wrong, Von Karma! A man was shot that night, but it WASN’T Edgeworth who did the shooting!
Von Karma: Listen, rookie and listen well. Consider the facts for a moment: At the time of the murder there was one boat on the lake, which contained the victim, Robert Hammond, and the defendant, Miles Edgeworth, There was a gunshot and the victim fell into the water. The distance of shooting was one meter so it could not have been a suicide. Well? The guilty party is blatantly obvious, even you must see it.
Judge: I’ll admit, it seems fairly clear cut.
Phoenix: Yes…but that’s assuming the victim was shot at 15 minutes after midnight.
Judge: what do you mean by that, Mr. Wright? We have photographic proof that there were two people on the boat at the time of the shooting.
Phoenix: Yes, but that wasn’t Hammond and Edgeworth.
Judge: WHAT?!
Phoenix: It was Edgeworth and the murderer of course. After the murderer killed Robert Hammond at 11:50…He assumed the guise of Mr. Hammond and met Edgeworth1
[Crowd murmurs]
Judge: What?! Are you serious?!
Phoenix: Yes. Edgeworth won’t tell us why he went to the lake that night. However, I suspect he was called there by the victim, Robert Hammond. Now, Edgeworth didn’t know Robert Hammond’s face that well. That’s why he didn’t suspect anything when the murderer took Hammond’s place!
Judge: I’m not sure what to make of all this…
Von Karma: Ludicrous!
Judge: Mr. Wright1 Tell us the murderer then!
Phoenix: The murderer is none other than the old man we heard testimony from earlier. He killed Robert Hammond at 11:50 and took the place of Robert Hammond.
Judge: the caretaker of the boat shop?! Wh-where did he do this?! There weren’t any boats on the lake then!
Phoenix: Why would have to go all the way out on the lake. May I suggest that the real murder scene was not in a boat but rather the boat rental shop? He could meet with the victim without anyone seeing!
Von Karma: OBJECTION! Do you have proof that the boat shop was the scene of the crime?
Phoenix: recall, Larry’s testimony, if you will. That night he was out on the lake in a boat, searching for something. He finds it, and returns the boat. Them just as he’s starting to head home, he hears a “bang”! He heard a gunshot, your honor. Even though he was wearing headphones at the time. In other words, the gunshot had to be very close by! And where would he be if he had just returned a boat?
Judge: the boat shop!
[Crowd murmurs]
Judge: Mr. Wright! What happened that night on Gourd Lake!? Please explain to the court what you believe happened!
Phoenix: Yes, your honor.
Maya: (stage Whisper) Nick, are you sure about this?
Phoenix: (stage whisper) Um, not really. But, I think if I start at the very beginning…and I take it slow, I should be able to figure it out. (Normal tone) That night, the caretaker of the boat shop called Robert Hammond there. This was around 11:50. That was when the gunshot Larry heard was fired. After that the caretaker put on Hammond’s coat and became Robert Hammond! The he got in the boat with Edgeworth and went out into the middle of the lake.
Judge: Then…who fired the pistol Mr. Wright?
Phoenix: The murderer shot the pistol, of course. He shot twice. Both missed Edgeworth on purpose.
Judge; wait a minute…
Phoenix: Y-yes?
Judge: Why would he shoot twice if he didn’t mean to hit anyone?
Phoenix: Uh…(under his breath) Details, Wright, details!
Judge: Know this, Mr. Wright. The moment you run out of explanations is the moment the defendant is found guilty. Tell us why the murderer had to fire twice!
Phoenix: I believe he shot twice to create a witness, your honor.
Judge: Create a witness…?
Phoenix: The murderer lifts his pistol and fires one shot. That ensures that anyone who heard the shot would look at the lake. It worked, as Ms. Lotta Hart did exactly that. Next, he waits a bit, then fires again and jumps from the boat himself, leaving the pistol behind him.
Judge: I see, from anyone looking from the edge of the lake…It would appear as though one figure had shot the other!
Phoenix: The murderer didn’t know about the automatic camera, of course. That’s why he shot twice to draw attention to the boat. Once you realize that, everything else falls into place! The boat shop caretaker swam back to his shop. Then he put Mr. Hammond’s coat back on the body and threw it into the lake! This is what happened you honor. These are the events that transpired that night on Gourd Lake.
Judge: BALIFF! Bring out the witness from before! The Boat Shop Caretaker! Quickly, man!
[Crowd is uproarious for a moment before settling into a constant murmur.]
Judge: Very well…while we are waiting for the caretaker to return I would like to ask the defendant a few questions. Mr. Edgeworth, would you please take the stand.
Edgeworth: (strides up to the stand. Aside form a paler face than normal, he shows no sign of any distress) Yes.
Judge: Why did you go to the lake that night?
Phoenix: What Wright has said is mostly correct. Astonishingly so, actually. Several days ago I received a letter signed “Robert Hammond”. He asked me to come to the boat shop at midnight on Christmas Eve. He said he had something important to discuss with me.
Judge: something important?
Edgeworth: I’m sorry, but I can’t say what it was.
Judge: hmm…
[Bailiff rushes in quite out of breath.]
Bailiff; Your Honor, sir!
Judge: Bailiff, we are conducting a trial here, I ask that you remain quiet-
Bailiff: But, the witness has disappeared! He isn’t at the boat shop either!
Judge: WHAT!?
Bailiff: what should we do?
Judge: find him quickly! We cannot allow him to get away!
[Bailiff stumbles as he attempts to run out. Bailiff exits.]
[Crowd’s murmurs get louder.]
Judge: Mr. Von Karma! Your witness has disappeared!
Von Karma: while you were talking with the bailiff, I took the liberty of issuing a search warrant. The police should be looking for him as we speak.
Judge: Hmm…It goes without saying that I cannot declare a verdict under these circumstances. I will extend the trial until tomorrow, the final day allowed. I request that the police department utilize its forces to find that witness! Am I understood?
Von Karma: (is silent, glaring at Phoenix)
Judge: One more thing. Just who was that boat shop caretaker? I think his identity has become very important to this trial. I want him, and I want to know who he is.
Von Karma: (still glaring at Phoenix)
Judge: Very Well, Court is adjourned!
[Fade to black.]
[SCENE FOUR]
[Open to the defense lobby. Edgeworth is brought in just as Maya jumps Phoenix and pulls him into a tight hug.]
Maya: YAY! Nick you did it!
Phoenix: Maya, you’re crushing my ribs.
Maya: (lets go) spoilsport…
Phoenix: Yeah, we got out from under that guilty verdict, but…
Maya: What about Larry? That was something else! Even Von Karma didn’t know what to do with his testimony! Larry really helped us out!
Phoenix: Yeah, but only after I sifted through his rather…”unique” testimony. Still…he did save us. I just wish our cases weren’t so down to the wire all the time,
Maya: I know what you mean. Sometimes I feel like it’s US on trial instead of our clients!
Phoenix: Hey, Edgeworth…
Edgeworth: (is staring off-stage, apparently lost in thought.)
Maya: (taps Edgeworth’s shoulder) Um…Mr. Edgeworth?
Edgeworth: (snaps his head around in surprise, making Maya jump back) Ah, did you say something?
Maya: Don’t look so pained! I mean, it looks like you’re probably going to get off the hook! You could try to smile. Just a little? Relax!
Edgeworth: I’m sorry, but I fear it’s not over for me yet.
Phoenix: What do you mean?
Edgeworth: There’s been something that’s been troubling me for a long time now. I don’t know whether or not to tell you though…
Phoenix: Edgeworth?
Edgeworth: There’s so little time left. I was to tell you, to get it off my chest but…Hmm, I can’t make up my mind….
Phoenix: What’s this about Edgeworth?
Edgeworth: It’s…a nightmare I’ve had. A memory of a crime…that I committed.
Phoenix: a crime you committed?
Edgeworth: Yes, a memory…of a murder.
[Fade to black]