Prologue: "Behind the Scenes" Murder
December 31, 9:45 PM
Gottacie Movie Theatre
Back Entrance
----------


"...Did you bring the stuff?"

"O-of course. It's not like I'd ever betray you or anything..."

"I'm afraid... that that's a lie. You've already betrayed me..."

"What do you mean...?"

"I mean, that you're worthless to me now. And I can't allow you to live."

"Wh..why?!"

*BANG*

"What's... happening?! Put that gun down!"

*BAM*

"Idiot... why did you do that?"

[A moment of silence, then...]

"Hey, but at least you made my job... easier!"

[End scene]

Day 1, Defendant's Lobby

January 2, 9:53 AM
District Court
Defendant Lobby No. 1



Alex (scribbling away in his journal):

("My name is Alex Seigmund. I'm a poet in my spare time, but what I really live for is the challenge of an argument. To present your point of view, and rip apart the opposing viewpoint at the same time gives me some kind of thrill. It's addictive, when you're as passionate about it as I am. I suppose that's why some people on my high school debate team were afraid to go against me, back in the day. It wasn't until my senior year, however, when I discovered I wanted to become a lawyer. It took 7 years, sure, but I finally passed the bar exam last week.
This would be my first trial, I guess.

"I have been in court many times before, as an observer. But it was the words of a certain attorney that helped win me over to try for law school. I learned a lot from both observing him in action, and reading about his former cases. You could say I'm a fan of sorts. An old friend of mine also seemed to think I had the "gift" to become a prosecutor. I could only imagine her surprise when I wrote to her about how I had ended up becoming a defense attorney instead. That was the last letter I sent to Germany. I don't need a response, because she's to be the prosecutor for this case. Her name... is Franziska von Karma.

"But I digress. This may be my first trial, but it is the trial of my life. You see, there's a reason why I got a client so early in my career. I'm the client... and I'm being accused of murder. The problem is I don't remember too much of what happened. It's all a blur to me. And when I told the cops what I did remember, they didn't believe me.

"The reason as to why that is will soon become painfully obvious in today's trial. I am certain of it.")

(Enter Franziska)

Franziska:
Scribbling away in one of your journals again, I see. But it would seem you have something other than poetry to write about, this time.

*Alex looks up, then back down at his journal. Closing it, he tugs slightly at one of the two earrings on his still sore right ear, then stands up*


Alex: Hello, Franziska. Long time no see.

Franziska: ...Seigmund. It would appear you've gotten yourself into trouble, yet again. Except this time, it's not for some foolishly foolish prank, now, is it?

Alex (chuckling): I guess not. It is good to see you after so long, however. It's been ages.

Franziska: ...Indeed. However! Do not think I will allow the distant past to deter me in this trial! I will not lose.

Alex (calmly): Very well. But let me ask you one question, before this trial starts.

Franziska: And what question would that be?

Alex: ...Do you really believe I'm guilty?

Franziska: ...I will not lose, Mr. Seigmund. That is all that needs to be said.

Bailiff: Sorry to interrupt, but the trial is about to start, Mr. Seigmund.

Alex (looking at his watch): Oh! So it is, then. I suppose I'll get my answer from you in today's trial, Ms. von Karma. Good luck.

*Exit Alex*

Franziska: ...Fool. It's as if he was unaware we were talking about his own trial...

[End Scene]

Day 1, Court In Session

December 2, 10:00 AM
District Court
Courtroom No. 1



(The crowd is talking noisily amongst themselves. Soon, the sound of a gavel is heard, and the room falls into silence.)

Judge: Court is now in session for the trial of Alex.. umm.... how do I say that name, again? Seegmond?
[the sound of a whip cracking breaks the silence] OW!

Franziska: It's pronounced "Seigmund", your Honor. Now stop wasting my time and get on with the trial.

Judge: Um, right! Court is in session for the trial of Alex "Seigmund". Is the defense ready?

Alex (holding a cup of coffee): Naturally, your Honor.

Judge: ...Are you drinking coffee, Mr. Seigmund?

Alex: What of it? You had no problem with this a year ago, your Honor. If my memory serves me correctly, anyway.

Judge: Excuse me? I don't remember ever... [a whip cracks] OW!

Franziska: He's talking about one Prosecutor Godot. The fool you sentenced a year ago.

Judge: Hmm... Ah! Now I remember! Very well then. Though I'm not too fond of you following that man's example... I suppose I can allow it. It is, after all, only coffee. Which reminds me... this is your first trial, Mr. Seigmund, is it not?

Alex: Yes. But it's a little more than that, seeing as how I'm also my first client.

Judge: If I didn't know any better, I wouldn't have been able to tell you were the defendant, Mr. Seigmund. You seem so confident in yourself. I can't tell you how many nervous first-time attorneys I've seen in my day...

Alex: (And, hopefully, we won't have to hear it...)
Well, I am innocent, after all. But Ms. von Karma seems to think otherwise. May I suggest we continue with the trial, your Honor? I wouldn't want to feel the sting of prosecution's impatience.

Judge: No, I suppose not. Is the prosecution ready?

Franziska (glowering at the Judge, whip at the ready): ...

Judge: Um, right! The court will hear the prosecution's opening statement, then!

Franziska: Today, I will prove the defendant, Alex Seigmund, guilty.

[A moment of silence passes, then...]

Alex: Um... That's all?

Franziska: That is all.

Judge: Well, then, let's begin by hearing about the details of this particular case.

Alex: (And here come the lies and half-truths...)

Franziska: On December 31 at approximately 9:50 PM, the victim, Mr. Fletcher Steele, was murdered in the back alley of a local movie theater. Although he was shot directly in the chest, he was not immediately killed.

Judge: It didn't kill him right away?

Franziska: No. It has been determined that the cause of death was due to an excessive amount of blood loss. It is the prosecution's belief this was a result of the bullet being lodged near the heart. The bullet grazed a vital artery, it would seem.

Alex: A true tragedy, if ever I read one. From my understanding, if it had been lodged even just a millimeter farther to the left, he might still be alive. But as to how long he would live? Only a doctor could tell you, I'm afraid.

Judge: My goodness! A tragedy indeed! The murder weapon that this tragic bullet belongs to... was it ever found?

Franziska [presents a gun and bullet]: This pistol was recovered at the scene of the crime, and the bullet was later recovered from the body of the victim. After comparing the rifling marks of the bullet to the pistol, it has been confirmed that this pistol was, indeed, the murder weapon.

Judge: The court accepts this gun and bullet as evidence.

[Gun and Bullet added to the Court Record.]

Alex: Was there any sort of clues on the gun as to who might have used it, Ms. von Karma?

Franziska: ...No, unfortunately. There was nothing found on the weapon. Not even a set of fingerprints.

Alex: Then would you be so kind as to explain to the court why I am being accused of murder, if no evidence even suggests that I am to blame?

[sound of crowd murmering. The sound of a gavel silences them]

Judge: Order! Ms. von Karma, I would like to hear this explanation, as well. I assume you have some reason to accuse this man of murder?

Franziska: Of course, Your Honor. My next witness will explaining why the defendant stands here in court today. The prosecution calls Detective Gumshoe to the stand.

Alex: (Gumshoe... why does that name sound familiar to me?)


[End Scene]