Law & Order: Race Affairs Unit (Worldwar TL)

[Geekhis Khan]

Part VIII: The Gambit
​

DA Jack McCoy's conference room. In addition to McCoy, ADAs Essval and Rothschild are there, as are three Race members in official body paint, one that of an Ambassador's Liason and two Legal Councilors. They're sitting around the conference table.

Liaison Dessrep: I'm afraid that releasing Healer Symington into your not-empire's custody is not authorized. He has applied for asylum under the Tosevite Ethnic Refugees act which your not-empire signed.

DA McCoy: Now wait a...what? 'Ethnic Refugee'? He's white Anglo-Saxon protestant! That act covers minorities, which he most definitely is not in this nation! He's taking advantage of the fact that the Race has trouble differentiating ethnicity!

Liaison Dessrep: Healer Symington asserts that he's 1/32nd Mohawk Indian.

DA McCoy: Oh for the love of...look. We didn't know about this supposed ancestry before, and we don't care now. What we care about is that the man murdered another citizen of our nation. A citizen who was a member of your own Race! I'd think you'd want to bring him to justice as much as anyone!

ADA Essval: He killed with a poison deadly only the the Race once...what makes you think he won't start killing in Brazil?

Liaison Dessrep: Healer Symington declares his innocence to the charge. He maintains he's being scapegoated as part of a cover-up. He claims your government was more than happy to kill a Race member that was embarrassing it.

DA McCoy: That it so ludicrous I can't see straight anymore. That's what we call a 'conspiracy theory', and it's the product of addled and paranoid brains.

Liaison Dessrep: (locks eye turrets on McCoy) That matters little. The Application for asylum is being supported. I'm sorry, Judicator McCoy, but the decision is made.

{Dun-Dun}


McCoy's office. ADAs Rothschild and Essval are there. McCoy is pacing, looking irate.

DA McCoy: Of all the ridiculous things...one-thirty-second Mohawk?

ADA Rothschild: It has little to do with ethnicity, Jack. The Empire is making a stand. All the Race members our nation has taken in over the years are an embarrassment to the Empire, and now that they have an asylum-seeker in a high-profile case they're taking the opportunity to strike back.

ADA Essval: She's right. The Race still feels like they're the proper rulers of this planet and the natural rulers of all members of the Race. Every Race member living in America is a slap to the snout.

McCoy paces some more, sighs.

DA McCoy: Look, I want that so-called doctor and I want him now. The Mayor is on my case to end this media circus because the Governor is on his case! We need to find a way.

ADA Essval: Do we have any prisoners to exchange?

ADA Rothschild: We made need to call the State Department.

DA McCoy: The speed in which federal wheels turn is far too slow for me. We need to gain leverage directly. (thinks) The Fat-Stripers!

ADA Rothschild: What?

DA McCoy: the Fat-Stripers! Those mystery-Lizards with the hidden body paint signs. One theory is that they're Imperial anti-ginger agents. I bet if we start bringing them in and disrupt the Empire's operations we can really get the ball rolling.

ADA Essval: And on what pretext do we start arresting these Race members?

DA McCoy: Put out an APB. The Fat-Stripers are to be considered a dangerous gang. Enhanced RICO investigation methods are authorized.

ADA Essval (horrified): You're authorizing the flagrant targeting of any Race member with hidden body paint?!

DA McCoy: Yes. Officers are authorized to approach all Fat-Stripers under suspicion of ginger possession.

ADA Rothschild: So you're basically giving the Precinct carte blanche to profile Fat-Stripers. The press might not like that.

DA McCoy: They will when it's know that they're 'dangerous members of a new organized crime syndicate.'

ADA Essval: Press, hell...wait until the FBI hears this. I'm sure you'll be trampling on their investigation.

{Cut Scene}

A street corner. Three Race members are talking animatedly. Two are El Lagarto gang, one is in Janitorial body paint with a wide lateral blue stripe. It appears to be a ginger deal in progress. Two uniformed officers approach.

Officer 1: Excuse me, but could we have a word with you guys?

The El Lagato members bolt. The second uniformed officer runs and is quickly able to grab the Fat-Striper before he too bolts.

Officer 2 (pulling out a baggie of ginger): Well, well...doing a little Cantonese cooking?

{Cut Scene}

Two other uniformed officers are in a patrol car driving down Pitt.

Officer 2 (passenger seat): Hey, look. (points to a Race member in Vehicle Operator's body paint walking down the street)

Officer 1: Looks like another bad paint job. (throws on siren, pulls over)

Officer 2 (getting out of the car; 'cameraman' in the back seat follows): Excuse me, may we have a word?

{Cut Scene}

9th Precinct. Detectives T'Surlak and Fitzsimmons are walking past a loud room full of hissing, yelling Race members, all Fat-Stripers.

Det. Fitzsimmons: Looks like 'Operation Fatty' has been a success.

Det. T'Surlak: If only we did this with real gangs maybe we could finally get those thugs off the streets. Why are we after these guys anyway? Assuming Munch is right isn't international espionage a little over our pay grades?

Det Fitzsimmons: Knowing Jack he's got some crazy plan...like getting Doctor Death extradited.

Det. T'Surlak: As if our job wasn't addled enough.

{Cut Scene}

McCoy's office. DA McCoy is on the phone. ADAs Essval and Rothschild are there.

DA McCoy: Yes...yes...oh, really? Hot damn, that's the best news I;ve had in a month! (hangs up) We got him!

ADA Rothschild: Symington?

DA McCoy: Doctor Death in on a transport to La Guardia as we speak!

{Cut Scene}

La Guardia Airport. Dr. Symington is walking down the terminal. An armada of press has converged. He attempts to cover his face. Dets. T'Surlak and Fitzsimmons approach.

{Dramatic Music}

Det. T'Surlak: Eugene Symington, aka 'Eugenitas Falk', you are under arrest for the murder of Komodo. (starts to handcuff him and starts to read him his rights) 'You have the right to remain silent, you have the right to an attorney...'

Dr. Symington: This is ridiculous! Komodo was my friend and patient!

Det. Fitzsimmons (guiding him along with a hand on the back): Yea, nothing says friendship like a fatal Hot Shot for breakfast.

 

[Geekhis Khan]

Part IX: Pre-Trial
​

Bond Hearing, People of New York vs. Eugene Symington

Empty Courtroom. "Dr." Symington and his lawyer, a very colorfully- and somewhat revealingly-dressed woman from LA (Barbara Amelie) are standing before Judge Gonzales, as is ADA Rothschild.

Judge Gonzales: The court will begin bond deliberation, Docket number 5-5-3-7-2, City of New York vs. Eugene Symington, Murder one. Councilor Rothschild?

ADA Rothschild: Yes, Your Honor, the People consider Mr. Symington a flight risk based on his recent attempt at asylum in Empire territory and request remand and forfeiture of his passport.

Judge Gonzales: Yes, you made quite a show of luring him back, I recall. (turns to Amelie) Councilor, your client?

Ms. Amelie: Yes, Your Honor, Mr. Symington feels he is the victim of scapegoating by the City rather than in any way culpable. That said, he is here and he will willingly stand trial. We see no reason for remand.

Judge Gonzales: Really? He feels he's a target of a massive government plot such that he felt the need to play the race card to the Race over his smattering of Native American blood, but he's willing to be a good boy and play by the rules now?

Ms. Amelie (looking irked): Yes, Your Honor.

Judge Gonzales: Right. Ms. Rothschild?

ADA Rothschild: Your Honor, his immediate attempt to leave the country after the death speaks both of a guilty conscience and an attempt to flee justice.

Ms. Amelie: Your Honor, the tickets were purchased well in advance of Mr. Komodo's unfortunate accident...

ADA Rothschild (interrupting): ...which merely supports premeditation...

Ms. Amelie (interrupting): ...a year in advance on the same trip he makes every year? That's a patient killer.

Judge Gonzales: That's enough, both of you. Save it for the actual trial. The Court orders remand, bail set at five million dollars, and orders forfeiture of passport. (hits gavel) And Ms. Amelie, just a word of advice: I'm not sure how you do things in LA, but here in NYC we have decorum standards in the courtroom, ergo you might consider a change of wardrobe. The only thing you're flirting with in that outfit here is Contempt.

{Dun-Dun}


Three Months later.

DA's office. A Conference room ADAs Essval and Rothschild sit across the table from Attorney Amelie (now dressed in a less revealing but still very pink skirt-suit) and Mr. Symington.

ADA Essval: The People are willing to grant Man 1, but that's as far as we're willing to go.

Mr. Symington: But I didn't kill him...or didn't mean to, certainly!

Ms. Amelie (shushing her client): What my client means to say is that we are willing to accept Man 2, nothing more.

ADA Rothschild: Your client shot up the victim regularly with a known Race toxin then fled to Brazil and we're to believe it was an accident?

Ms. Amelie: Yes, my client honestly believed and in good conscience that he was administering a proper medical regimen to his close friend Mr. Komodo.

ADA Rothschild: By injecting him with poison?

Ms. Amelie: Aconitum is a known and well-regarded holistic remedy for swelling, which Mr. Komodo was suffering after his surgery.

ADA Essval: It's also a known and well-regarded Race poison. Murder 2 or trial.

Ms. Amelie: I guess if the People of New York are so hell-bent on being unreasonable, then trial it shall be.

 

[Geekhis Khan]

Part X: The Trial
​

{Dun-Dun}

Trial Day One. A gauntlet of press awaits outside the courthouse. ADAs Essval and Rothschild must force their way through with police escort. A Cacophony of crosstalk rapid-fire questions assault them.

Reporter 1: Bram Stockman, ANN; any work for our viewers on the coming case?

ADA Rothschild: Yes: "No Comment", and you can feel free to quote me on that.

They force their way through.

{Cut Scene}

In the courtroom. The gallery is packed with family, friends, press, and big name Hollywood people, including Donald in Business Suit and Power Tie body paint flanked by busty women. It is loud and carnival-like. Things quiet to a sussuruss as the jury enters. The jury is 9 Humans, 3 Race.

ADA Essval: Wow, even circuses have some sense of decorum.

Bailiff: All Rise! The Honorable Judge Eduardo Gonzales presiding!

Judge Gonzales takes the bench and hits his gavel until all quiet down.

Judge Gonzales: Court Docket number 5-5-3-7-2, City of New York vs. Eugene Symington, Murder in the First Degree. Ms. Amelie, how does your client plead?

Ms. Amelie (in a bright pastel blue designer skirt-suit): Not Guilty, Your Honor.

Judge Gonzales: Very well. Ms. Rothschild? You may begin.

ADA Rothschild: Thank you, Your Honor, the People call Dr. Hipolito Rodriguez to the stand.

The bailiff swears Dr. Rodriguez in and he takes a seat.

ADA Rothschild: Dr. Rodriguez, could you please state for the court your occupation and credentials?

Dr. Rodriguez: I'm a doctor of biochemistry at John Hopkins Medical Center specializing in Race Physiology and Pharmacology.

ADA Rothschild: The Prosecution would like to recognize Dr. Rodriguez as an expert on Race toxins, Your Honor.

Judge Gonzales: Noted.

ADA Rothschild: Dr. Rodriguez, could you tell us a bit about the plant Aconitum?

Dr. Rodriguez: Yes, plants of the genus Aconitum, wolfsbane being the most well-known, contain large amounts of a compound called Helenalin, a lactone which is highly toxic to the Race. It builds up in the Numaric membranes causing necrosis of the Numaric sacs. The victim dies slowly of circulatory failure as the blood becomes deoxygenated.

ADA Rothschild: so, a poison.

Dr. Rodriguez: A highly effective one. It's seen use in underground movements in Poland and the Mediterranean for decades and according to Imperial records Helenalin, or Shazzkhat from plant genii native to Home has been used for millennia as an assassin's weapon.

ADA Rothschild: And the defendant, as a self-declared expert on holistic medicines, should have known this already.

Ms. Amelie: Objection! Speculation and biasing!

Judge Gonzales: Sustained. The jury is instructed to ignore that remark. Stick to the facts, councilor.

ADA Rothschild: Sorry, Your Honor. Dr. Rodriguez, can you tell us what the autopsy report on Komodo concluded as a cause of death?

Dr. Rodriguez: Yes: "Helenalin Poisoning over the course of several weeks". It went further to state that a lack of significant presence of the toxin in the victim's digestive tract or anywhere on the skin indicates that the Helenalin was administered through other methods, most likely injection or IV.

ADA Rothschild: Thank you, Doctor, that will be all. Your witness.

Ms. Amelie (approaching slowly and in an almost but not blatantly flirtatious manner): Dr. Rodriguez, can I call you Hipolito? Oh, anyway... You're an expert on Race Physiology...you know much about the Human body?

Dr. Rodriguez (a little unsettled, clearing throat): Um, yes. I have a good knowledge of Human Physiology and Biochemistry.

Ms. Amelie: So, this Aconitum stuff...does it have any effect on us Tosevites?

Dr. Rodriguez: Um, yes. The species napellus has acontine alkaloids that are highly poisonous to Humans and has been used as a poison since Roman times.

Ms. Amelie: What about that Helenalin stuff, anything there?

Dr. Rodriguez (now getting more relaxed as he gets to talk shop): Oh, yes! It's toxic to Humans too, in large amounts, and has some pharmacological value as an anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor remedy.

Ms. Amelie: You mean it's a medicine? And anti-inflammatory medicine?

Dr. Rodriguez: Um, if administered properly it can have certain medicinal effects. It's seen use as an anti-inflammatory for centuries...

Ms. Amelie (interrupting): Centuries? You mean as a holistic medicine?

Dr. Rodriguez: Well, yes.

Ms. Amelie: Thank you, doctor. Now, in your professional opinion might it see use as an anti-swelling agent for, say, post-cosmetic surgery?

Dr. Rodriguez: I don't see why not...in Humans, at least.

Ms. Amelie: Now, if someone who, say, was used to treating Humans but didn't know this stuff was toxic to the race, is there a chance for accidental poisoning?

Dr. Rodriguez: Certainly. In fact many people falsely assume that holistic or "natural" medicines are inherently safe. That couldn't be farther from the truth! Like any pharmacological agent they have effects and side effects and have the possibility for bad interactions with other drugs or even foods. Hell, if half the people who take St. John's Wort supplements over the counter knew the danger such MAOIs have for negative interactions with common foods like pistachios they'd think twice before self-administering it! In one case...

Ms. Amelie (interrupting): That is all, thank you so much, Dr. Rodriguez!

 

[Geekhis Khan]

Part XI: Desperation and Discovery
​

Courtroom. The precinct Forensic doctor, Dr. Amanda D'Onofrio, is on the stand.

ADA Essval: So, Dr. D'Onofrio, you're positive that the cause of death was Helenalin poisoning?

Dr. D'Onofrio: Absolutely. All the physiological indicators are there: Numaric necrosis, enlarged Vurgarathma, dehydration, optic paralysis...

ADA Essval: And in your opinion how was the poison administered?

Dr. D'Onofrio: Injection. There is no significant presence of the toxin in the digestive tract, indicating consumption was unlikely, no scale discoloration suggesting under-scale application, and no nasal hemorrhaging that would suggest inhalation. However, significant presence of the toxin at the sites of the victim's numerous injection tracks are consistent with low-dose injection poisoning over the course of weeks.

ADA Essval: Thank you, doctor, that is all.

Judge Gonzales: Defense? Care to cross-examine?

Ms. Amelie: Why yes, Your Honor. (to Dr. D'Donofrio) Dr. D'Onofrio, in your opinion when did the injections begin?

Dr. D'Onofrio: I'd estimate daily injections began 13 days before the victim's death.

Ms. Amelie: 13 days...that'd be just about the time Mr. Komodo had finished his latest cosmetic surgery. Were there any other chemicals in the injection sites?

Dr. D'Onofrio: Yes, actually. There was Bromelain plant enzyme, spectrographical analysis suggests extracted from pineapple, Glucosamine Sulfide and Calcium from seashell powders, and Turmeric. And likely a saline base.

Ms. Amelie: Hmmm...those are strange. Any of them have any pharmacological effects on the Race?

Dr. D'Onofrio: Bromelain has a very mild irritant effect, but was not present in chemically significant amounts high enough to cause any effect. Glucosamine is simply not recognized by the Race body and is flushed with body waste. Calcium has the same role in bones as Humans, but may be there as an unintentional co-chemical from the shells likely intended for the Glucosamine. Turmeric is inert and has no pharmacological effects of note.

Ms. Amelie: Wow, how seemingly random. (pauses, puts on stylish pink horn-rim glasses looks through notes on legal pad, removes glasses and bites frame ear brace as if thinking) Are there any pharmacological effects of these substances in humans? Any common effects they all share.

Dr. D'Onofrio: Hmmm...actually, yes. Bromelain, Glucosamine Sulfide, and Turmeric all have anti-inflammatory effects and have seen use holistically.

Ms. Amelie: As has Helenalin, yes?

Dr. D'Onofrio: Yes.

Ms. Amelie: All of the substances Mr. Symington admittedly injected into his friend and patient, the late Mr. Komodo, have holistic application as anti-inflammatory agents, at least in Humans, yes?

Dr. D'Onofrio: Yes.

Ms. Amelie: And these small, periodic injections of these anti-Inflammatory holistic drugs began at about 13 days ago, about the time Mr. Komodo completed his latest cosmetic surgery, a process that causes swelling and is typically treated with anti-inflammatory drugs. A slow, daily application rather than an all-at-once poisoning. Sounds to me like someone was attempting to treat the swelling, not kill the patient.

ADA Essval: Objection! Leading towards a conclusion!

Judge Gonzales: Sustained. Strike that from the record.

Ms. Amelie: Dr. D'Onofrio, in your professional opinion was the intention of these injections for treatment or murder?

ADA Essval: Objection! Speculation!

Judge Gonzales: Sustained. Councilor?

Ms. Amelie: I'm so sorry, Your Honor, I'll rephrase. Doctor, have you ever, in your experience as a forensic pathologist, seen a case of accidental poisoning caused by attempted medical treatment.

ADA Essval: Objection! Relevance?

Ms. Amelie: I'm establishing that accidental poisoning is not only possible, but a common occurrence. It's a foundation of my client's defense.

Judge Gonzales: Objection is overruled, but make it quick, councilor. Doctor, you may answer the question.

Dr. D'Onofrio: Yes, accidental poisonings by untrained or under-trained or otherwise negligent would-be doctors has occurred many times in my experience. Just the other week I testified in a case where a man self-administered foxglove tea for his hyperythmic heart and died of heart dysrythmia.

Ms. Amelie: Thank you, Doctor, that is all.

ADA Essval: Your Honor, redirect?

Judge Gonzales: Go ahead, councilor.

ADA Essval: Dr. D'Onofrio, have you ever testified on a case where slow daily poisoning was used for murder rather than an immediate fatal dose?

Dr. D'Onofrio: Certainly; it's a common poisoning method. Last year, for example, a housekeeper that was having an affair with the husband added a little bit of arsenic to the wife's coffee every day in an effort to end the marriage and claim the husband.

ADA Essval: Thank you, doctor, that is all.

{Cut Scene}


DA's office. DA McCoy and ADAs Essval and Rothschild are talking. They look stressed and downtrodden.

DA McCoy: My God, they're killing us slowly out there! Every witness we put up she turns into her own witness. Hell, I'm almost convinced he killed the Little Dragon by accident myself!

ADA Rothschild: We can still accept the plea for Man 2.

DA McCoy: I said 'almost'. No, he's guilty, I'm sure. Besides, the mayor is screaming at me for a conviction. He's getting flooded with calls by irate Komodo fans demanding blood.

ADA Essval: Not to mention the great Snout Count is coming up in November. Kerns' ad hatchet men are tearing up the mayor's record on crime and have specifically singled out the Komodo murder.

DA McCoy (standing up and looking out the window): We need something more, a greater motive. Something concrete. Have the detectives snoop around and see what they can dig up.

{Dun-Dun}

 

[Geekhis Khan]

Part XII: Past Indiscretions
​

The Precinct, after dark. Dets. T'Surlak and Fitzsimmons are flipping through papers. There are Styrofoam takeout containers.

Det. Fitzsimmons (taking a bite): Gah, this ham is pure salt! What did you lizards do to perfectly good ham?

Det. T'Surlak: Don't blame us, it's a Human recipe. Country Ham, common in the south. Us Lizards merely created a market for it up here. Try the Red Eye Gravy, it's made with coffee, you'll like it.

Det. Fitzsimmons: I'll pass. (flips through some papers) Okay, Dr. Death had speeding ticket in 1984; we got him, alright. Class A criminal here.

Det. T'Surlak: Where and what speed?

Det. Fitzsimmons: 78 on I-95 through the Bronx.

Det. T'Surlak: So he was driving dangerously slow? (hisses) This is a waste of time. This guy's a friggin' Boy Scout except for the possible murder 1.

Det. Fitzsimmons: We're running out of time, too. The Prosecution had to rest already and the defense is going through their witnesses. I caught the list on ANN. There's more stars than in the galaxy. Hoping to star-blind the jury, I guess, or make it so convoluted they don't know what to think.

Det. T'Surlak: If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullcrap.

{Time Skip}

A couple of hours have passed. The two look more worn and exhausted. Fitzsimmons' tie is undone. T'Surlak's body paint is streaked.

Det. Fitzsimmons (visibly tired, voice strained): Holy crap, I think I found something.

Det. T'Surlak (similarly strained and exhausted): What?

Det. Fitzsimmons: A college newspaper article from the late 80s. It seems an anti-Race activist named, you guessed it, Eugene Symington decried the abuses of the Race. "These damned Lizards invaded our planet and subjugated most of the population. Were it not for the brave sacrifices of our fathers, men like my uncle who died on the Chicago front, they'd have made servile slaves of us all! Mere death is too good for the scaly imperialist bastards."

Det. T'Surlak: Okay, angry youth who changed his ways, or closet Race Hater who finally got his chance to strike the great blow for Humanity?

Det. Fitzsimmons: Who cares? Let the Legal Eagles figure that one out. Let's see if anything else pops up on Mr. Symington's sordid past.

{Dun-Dun}


Judge's Chambers. ADAs Rothschild and Essval and Councilor Amelie sit across from Judge Gonzales.

Ms. Amelie (holding up the newspaper clipping): Your Honor, this supposed evidence is flagrantly biasing! My client appears to have said some unfortunate things...is that any different than any angry youth? The 80's were a hot time in Human-Race relations, what with the growing cases of Leukemia after the nuclear exchanges of the 60's. Since that time my client has shown absolutely no signs of Race Hate!

ADA Essval: Your Honor, it goes to motive. It establishes a long history of Race Hatred and proves that the accused is capable of holding violent enmity towards the Race...enmity that in this case manifested in the premeditated murder of Mr. Komodo, a high-profile Race member, controversial in his blurring the lines between Human and Race.

Judge Gonzales: Ms. Essval, I must mention that halfway through the Defense's arguments is an odd time to be introducing new evidence.

ADA Rothschild: Your Honor, Colletton vs. Scipio sets precedent for late evidence entry in cases where new evidence appears in felony cases when such evidence clearly establishes guilt or culpability.

Judge Gonzales: I'm aware of Colletton v. Scipio. The question is whether this evidence very clearly establishes anything.

Ms. Amelie: Your Honor, it's a desperation move by the prosecution. DA McCoy wants a high level conviction and is willing to do anything to get it. Witness the heavy-handed tactics to force the extradition of my client.

Judge Gonzales: Ms. Rothschild? Ms. Essval? You care to respond?

ADA Rothschild: Yes, Your Honor. I wish to state for the record that this is a murder trial and the accused is accused of murder. Our goal is to get a man the evidence supports is a murderer off the streets, high-profile or not. DA McCoy's actions in gaining extradition have no bearing here. The evidence clearly points out a long-standing hatred of the Race, which brings motive, which is clearly an establishment of guilt when weighed against the physical evidence. Anything else is irrelevant.

Ms. Amelie: Your Honor, this evidence is circumstantial at best, and frankly any cursory look at Mr. Symington's actions since make the whole "evidence" fall apart!

Judge Gonzales: In that case, Councilor, it shouldn't be too unreasonable to defend against in court. I'll admit the evidence to be allowable in cross-examinations only. (turns to ADAs Essval and Rothschild) Councilors, you have your evidence. Let the jury decide whether the evidence warrants attention or not.

{Dun-Dun}

 

[Geekhis Khan]

Conclusion: the Verdict
​

Back at the courtroom. Defense has the stand.

Judge Gonzales: Madam councilor, you may call your next witness.

Ms. Amelie: Thank you, Your Honor. The defense calls Eugene Symington to the stand. (murmurs from the audience)

Bailiff: Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

Mr. Symington: I do.

Judge Gonzales: You may take the stand. (he does)

Ms. Amelie: Doctor Symington, could you please describe to the court your relationship with Mr. Komodo?

Mr. Symington: Yes, he was my client as a holistic healer and my friend. I was introduced to him by other clients in LA and I began him on a regimen of vitality supplements and immune boosters.

Ms. Amelie: And had you any Race clients before Mr. Komodo?

Mr. Symington: No, he was the first. I'd known plenty of Race members living in LA but he was the first client.

Ms. Amelie: And do you know anything about Race physiology?

Mr. Symington (looking embarrassed and depressed) No, I did not. I'd assumed we were both creations of this great cosmos, both possessed of eternal souls, so I (chokes up for a second and composes self) wrongfully assumed we'd be physiologically similar and amenable to the same universal healing forces.

Ms. Amelie: And did you have any problems with the Race?

Mr. Symington: No...at least not any more. Like a lot of young men in the 80's I let my anger at the war translate wrongfully into anger at the Race. I saw the error of my ways as I matured. Now I count many of the Race among my friends. I (chokes) considered Komodo my friend.

Ms. Amelie (handing him a tissue): There there, Eugene, please take your time. (pause while he composes himself) Now, please tell us about the anti-inflammatory treatments.

Mr. Symington: Ok...well, as everyone knew Komodo was into cosmetic surgery. In his role as a uniter, as one brave enough to blur the false separations between Man and Race, he began a series of transformative surgeries. The latest was a rhinoplasty...a "nose job". After the subdermal implant he suffered from swelling and bruising. He asked me to assist and... (choke up)

Ms. Amelie: Take your time.

Mr. Symington: I began him on a regimen of wolfsbane, pineapple stem extract, seashell powder, and turmeric...all common holistic anti-inflammatory treatments... (choke) It was the wolfsbane that had the helenalin that...killed my friend.

Ms. Amelie: And why didn't you notice he was getting ill?

Mr. Symington: The ginger...the damned ginger. It's effects masked the normal poisoning symptoms. I tried so hard to get him off of it...if only I'd taken the clue from the ginger that the Race responds differently to... (chokes up, tears stream down his face)

Ms. Amelie: Mr. Symington, here's the big question: did you intend to harm or kill your friend, Mr. Komodo.

Mr. Symington (still crying): No...absolutely not.

Ms. Amelie: Thank you, Eugene. That will be all.

Judge Gonzales (giving Symington a moment to compose himself): Councilors, your witness.

ADA Rothschild: Mr. Symington, you are not an actual doctor, correct?

Mr. Symington: I have a doctorate in Holistic Arts from New Age university, so yes, I am a doctor.

ADA Rothschild: But not a licensed doctor with a degree from an accredited university?

Mr. Symington: No, not in the so-called traditional ways.

ADA Rothschild: Mr. Symington, you claim to be a doctor. You also claim Komodo was your friend and that you have no ill will towards the Race, is that correct?

Mr. Symington: (looking hurt) Yes, he was my friend and no, I do not have any problems with the Race.

ADA Rothschild (presenting the newspaper): Prosecution Exhibit G, Your Honor.

Judge Gonzales: Noted and admitted.

ADA Rothschild: Mr. Symington, I have here a newspaper from October 14th, 1988, the UCLA Daily Bruin to be precise. In it you were interviewed as a member of the Student's Earth Liberation Organization, a radical anti-Empire group dedicated to "freeing the imprisoned Humans of earth from the Alien Oppressors", is this not true?

Mr. Symington (looking embarrassed): Yes, I was with that group for a short time, but I left...

ADA Rothschild (interrupting): Did you not serve as Recording Secretary for this group from Fall 1988 to Spring 1989?

Mr. Symington (looking irked): Yes, yes I did, and I'm asha...

ADA Rothschild (again interrupting): And did you not say in the interview with the Bruin, and I quote: "These damned Lizards invaded our planet and subjugated most of the population. Were it not for the brave sacrifices of our fathers, men like my uncle who died on the Chicago front, they'd have made servile slaves of us all! Mere death is too good for the scaly imperialist bastards"?

Mr. Symington: (sigh) Yes, I regret that I said that, but I...

ADA Rothschild (interrupting yet again): So you fully admit being a member, an elected officer, even, of this radical, Race-hating organization, one that in 1993 was caught smuggling arms to Polish rebels? Polish rebels who regularly use wolfsbane as a poison against the Race, I might add.

Mr. Symington (very annoyed): Look, yes I was a... (turns to judge) Your Honor, may I get a chance to fully respond to the accusations without being cut off?

Judge Gonzales: Yes, Mr. Symington, you may speak. Councilor, please allow the witness to complete his response.

Mr. Symington: Thank you, Your Honor. Look, I already admitted under oath I one harbored ill-directed anger towards the Race, unfairly blaming a people for the actions of a handful of imperialists within their diverse community. I took actions that in hindsight are regrettable, embarrassing and shameful. I'm disgusted that I belonged to such a group and I left it in '89 when I saw that it was becoming an instrument of violence and not passive resistance. I had no idea about any arms shipments to Poland. That was well after my time. I had no contacts with Polish rebels and I had no idea that they used wolfsbane as poison. Thank you, that is all.

ADA Rothschild: So, you suddenly and completely stopped this unilateral anger at those "Damned Lizards" who "invaded" and "subjugated" humanity? At those "Lizards" who killed your uncle at Chicago? Suddenly the angry young revolutionary becomes a passive, happy, Race-loving herb doctor and all's good and well?

Mr. Symington: Yes! Yes, God, a man can change! I saw the error of my ways! I saw that my anger was misplaced!

ADA Rothschild: Yet here you went and killed a high-notoriety Race member, one who had the audacity to think of himself as Human?

Mr. Symington: It was an accident! For the love of God it was an accident! I was careless...and my friend...my friend is dead! I'll have to carry the guilt with me for the rest of my life!

ADA Rothschild: Or let's take a moment to look at this another way: you hated the Race and still hate the race! You knew that wolfsbane was poisonous to "damned Lizards" and saw your chance to kill one of the hated "imperialist bastards"! You saw a chance to not only kill a Race member, but perhaps the Race member in the United States of America: a pop music legend, a high-visibility Race member who mocked your humanity!

Mr. Symington: No! No, for God's sake! (starts sobbing, body convulsing, tears streaming) Oh God, God fogive me! I killed him! I killed my friend! I...I wanted to help him! I wanted to help...he was supposed to be my way to redeem myself! He was the one to wash away my sins! They beat that Race member, they beat her near to death! My "comrades" in the SELO...they beat her, and I watched! I did nothing! I let it happen! Oh, God, why did I ever hate so? Why did I allow such anger to fester? I wanted...wanted to redeem myself! I wanted to save him, save Komodo, not hurt him! If I could help him learn to love himself maybe I could learn to love my self again! (breaks down)

The courtroom is silent as he sobs, face in his hands.

Judge Gonzales (after a moment): Councilor? Anything else?

ADA Rothschild (shocked): Um...no. No your Honor.

{Time Skip; dramatic music}


Judge Gonzales: Ladies and Gentlemen, Males and Females of the Jury, have you come to a consensus?

Fore-male: Yes, Your Honor. A 10-2 majority decision.

Judge Gonzales: And do you have a verdict?

Fore-Male: Yes, Your Honor, we do. (hands paper to bailiff, bailiff hands paper to judge)

Judge Gonzales: Mr. Symington, please rise (he does). (opening paper) On the primary count, Murder in the First Degree the Court finds the Defendant, Mr. Eugene Symington...Not Guilty. (Symington bows head). On the secondary count, Manslaughter in the Second Degree, the Court finds the defendant Guilty and he shall be remanded for sentencing. Mr. Symington, do you have anything you wish to tell the court?

Mr. Symington: Only that I wish to apologize. I was ignorant...ignorant and arrogant. I thought I could treat my friend, but I poisoned him. He is dead because of me and I will willingly take whatever sentence the State deems fit.

{Cut Scene; dramatic music continues}


DA's Office. DA McCoy looks peeved.

DA McCoy: Damn it. He got away.

ADA Rothschild: Did he?

DA McCoy: He killed Komodo in cold blood, I know it. Instead he's getting three and a half years, eligible for parole in two.

ADA Essval: Maybe, I don't know. I used to think he was a cold blooded murderer, particularly after that newspaper article surfaced, but after hearing his testimony...

ADA Rothschild: The Female that he mentioned must have been Passalit, a Computer Science major at UCLA that was beaten and hospitalized in 1989. They never caught the culprits.

DA McCoy: well, it's past the Statute of Limitations anyway.

ADA Essval: I just hope Komodo can rest in peace now.

{Fade to Black}


A Geek Wolf Production

 

[Geekhis Khan]

Warning: the following episode of Law & Order: Race Affairs Unit contains controversial subject matter that some viewers may find objectionable. Viewer discretion is advised.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



The following is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to current events or real beings, living or dead, is strictly coincidental.

In the criminal justice system, offenses involving members of the Race contain inherent diplomatic concerns. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these special cases are members of an elite squad known as the Race Affairs Unit. These are their stories.

{Dun-Dun}

Law & Order: Race Affairs Unit


Episode 31: Wild Child

Part I: the Body

​

Central Park South

6 am. Summer. People are out jogging, power-walking, or walking dogs. Two people are walking their dogs, talking. One is an older woman walking a shitzu, the other a middle-aged man walking a boxer.

Woman: Me, I always take Yihe Tuan here to Ci Xi's before a show. Frankly any place else will make a mess of him.

Man: Well, I take Sir Edward to Waldersee myself. They specialize in large breeds like... (Sir Edward starts to bark and jerk at the leash) ...whoa! Down, boy! Down!

Sir Edward pulls the man towards some bushes and chases after a small filthy stray mutt. The mutt has something in its mouth. The mutt drops what it's carrying and runs off.

Woman: Oh, dear, that stray killed someone's Beffel.

Man (looking shocked): That's not a Beffel.

Zoom in to show the limp legs and tail stump of a Race hatchling.

{Cut Scene}


Sirens and police radio chatter. Dets. Fitzsimmons and T'Surlak duck under the police tape past a uniformed officer. They approach a CSI agent crouching over the dead hatchling.

Det. T'Surlak: Hatchling. Damnation. What happened?

CSI: Hatchling female, based on the still-present egg tooth and residual dried egg fluid on the body she's only a few days old. Two dog-walkers came across her. A stray mutt had her in its jaws. Initial analysis show the bite marks to be perimortem, which makes it appear that the stray either killed her or picked her up almost immediately after death by causes unknown.

Det. Fitzsimmons: Do we have the dog? The last thing we need is a mutt with a taste for Race.

CSI: Animal Control is searching the park.

Det. T'Surlak: How about the egg?

CSI: Still looking, but since Race hatchlings generally don't stray too far from their place of hatching I'd bet it'll be found in the park somewhere.

Det. T'Surlak: Check the sand boxes at the nearest playground. Females prefer to lay in sand.

Det. Fitzsimmons: I'd check in the bushes. Knowing New York kids anything you layed in a sandbox would end up splattered on someone's front door.

Det. T'Surlak (looks half horrified, half irritated at the suggestion): Barbarians. Still, might have been better for the little Female not to hatch at all.

Det. Fitzsimmons: Any word on the mother?

CSI: This young she might not have a parent. The Race tends to lay and semi-abandon. Whomever finds the child tends to adopt it.

Det. Fitzsimmons: Unfortunately for this little girl it looks like the neighborhood mutt found her first.

{Dun-Dun}

 

[Geekhis Khan]

Part II: Jurisdiction
​

The 19th Precinct. Forensics autopsy lab. Dets. T'Surlak and Fitzsimmons are talking with Forensic doctor Ashia Machugo. The hatchling is splayed out on a table. There is a pile of shell fragments next to it.

Dr. Machugo: And so you see here, detectives, the original bite marks. They correspond to the teeth patterns of the dog Animal Control captured in the park not far from there.

Det. Fitzsimmons: The same one the witnesses identified, yes?

Dr. Machugo: Yes, of course. And also it is obvious by the blood's liquidity about the wound and the local tissue reactions that the dog definitely killed the hatchling. The physical trauma of the bite severed the Vvvrrglai artery, causing almost instant fatal loss of blood.

Det. T'Surlak: And the shards? *interrogative cough*

Dr. Machugo: Definitely the egg this girl hatched from; confirmed by TNA match. Oxidization of the dried egg fluid places hatching at three days ago. It was found in sandy soil in the underbrush.

Det. Fitzsimmons: I guess we were both right. Any word on who the mutt belonged to?

Det. T'Surlak: Or who laid the egg? *interrogative cough*

Dr. Machugo: I'm a doctor or forensics, not the research cop. I tell you what killed them and how, you figure out the who and the why.

{Dun-Dun}


Back at the office. Dets. Fitzsimmons and T'Surlak are going through the paperwork.

Det. Fitzsimmons: Nothing here...if anyone ever owned the dog they're a mystery and likely to remain so.

Det. T'Surlak: Animal Control thinks it's a feral considering its fear of them.

Det. Fitzsimmons: Well, I'd run from a bunch of guys with neck loops trying to cage me too.

Det. T'Surlak: That's not what work around the office says.

Det. Fitzsimmons: I told you not to listen to O'Mally. Ok, still no word on mommy dearest. We're still building up a list of gravid females in the area. So far we have 27.

Det. T'Surlak: And we think she's a local? *interrogative cough*

Det. Fitzsimmons: That's the running assumption. Any Lizard too lazy to catch the mid-town to the Hatching Center probably isn't going to head across town to find a shady spot in CP South.

Det. T'Surlak: Could be a tourist.

Det. Fitzsimmons: Sure, but why travel to the Big Azwaca when you're that gravid? Surely a post-lay trip would be better.

Det. T'Surlak: Unrefundable tickets? *interrogative cough*

They are interrupted by a heated argument. Captain Van Buren is walking next to Captain Cragen from SVU. They are the ones arguing. Dets. Stabler and Benson are behind them.

Cap. Van Buren: I don't care what the age of the victim is, this is not an SVU matter!

Cap. Cragen: Like hell, Anita. A minor is a minor. We have jurisdiction. Besides, the DA has something else he needs your boys to work on.

Cap. Van Buren: What, fishing through old high school yearbooks looking for "See you next summer, keep hating Lizards, your friend Eugene?" Bullshi...

Det. Fitzsimmons (interrupting): Might I ask exactly what in the hell it going on?

Cap. Cragen (handing him a memo from DA McCoy): You're off the Wild Child case. Jack needs you to dig up a little more on Dr. Death.

Det. T'Surlak: What? Bugger the Emperor! *emphatic cough* Murder weapon, motive, and opportunity aren't enough any more? *emphatic cough*

Det. Stabler: Apparently not, Detective. I'll need your files on the case.

Det. Fitzsimmons: Like hell! We've been pouring over these for days now!

Det. Benson (looking empathetic): Sorry, Gerry, but DA McCoy was very clear about this.

Cap. Van Buren: I guess I'll just have to have a word with Mr. McCoy then.

Cap. Cragen: Yea, I guess so. (face softens) Look, Anita, I know you're angry and with reason. No one wants a case poached out from under them, but that's Jack's decision and until I hear otherwise we're handing this over to Stabler and Benson.

{Dun-Dun}

 

[Geekhis Khan]

Part III: Big Brother Bites Back, on Beffel
​

East 52nd. Apartment of Executive Assistant Zazztal. Dets. Benson and Stabler are sitting (well, near squatting) on a Race-sized couch across from Zazztal.

Det. Benson: So, you last became gravid when?

Zazztal: Um...

Det. Benson: Don't worry about the circumstances. We're not Ginger Squad. We're just trying to track down something for a case.

Zazztal: Well...it was last winter, well outside of the normal Rage period. I...I indulged in a little Ginger at a party. Things...happened.

Det. Benson: We understand.

Det. Stabler: And the egg? What happened to it?

Zazztal: I laid at the uptown Hatching Center. I can get you the drop-off number if you want.

Det. Benson: That would be very much appreciated, Executive Assistant.

Det. Stabler: Any word on the hatchling?

Zazztal: Oh, I'm sure it hatched by now, but I'm a busy female and don't have time for a hatchling. I decided at the time to leave it at the center to be turned over for adoption.

Det. Stabler (getting a little sharp of tone): And don't you worry what happens to the child? I mean, don't you worry about who might adopt it?

Zazztal: Why? It's an egg. Someone will pick it up.

{Cut Scene}


Stabler and Benson are walking to the car. Stabler looks very angered.

Det. Benson: Elliot, really. You need to calm down. The Race isn't like Humans when it comes to offspring.

Det. Stabler: Yea. Apparently child abandonment is perfectly acceptable. "Someone will pick it up," Mother Mary.

Det. Benson: That's how they work. There's no such thing as a family unit like we have.

Det. Stabler: Maybe if there was then the little Wild Child wouldn't have become dog chow.

An awkward, angry silence ensues as they get back in the car. They drive for a moment.

Det. Benson (changing the subject): Ok, Zazztal was number 27 on the list. That's all the known gravids in Midtown and the Upper East. Should we try the Upper West names now or look for undocumented Females?

Det. Stabler: Damn it, they almost all abandoned them! All but two! Only two kept their hatchling! The rest left them in the Hatchling House.

Det. Benson: Elliot...

Det. Stabler: Do they have any idea how many Hatchlings they raise there every year that never find parents...or how many of them that reach adulthood end up in gangs?

Det. Benson: Elliot, we've been over this. This was an off-season hatching, which means the mother...well, I should say layer, the Race doesn't have mothers...but it means that ginger was involved. A lot of Females are embarrassed to have a hatchling that was born out of season. For that very reason.

Det. Stabler: Well, they should consider the consequences of their actions! Damned thoughtless L...lazy mothers!

Det. Benson gives Stabler a quizzical look.

Det. Stabler: What? *Emphatic Cough*

{Cut Scene}


W. 63rd near West End ave. Dets. T'Surlak and Fitzsimmons are walking along with to-go cups. An early fall chill has T'Surlak wearing a coat. Fitzsimmons is noticeably in shirt-sleeves and showing no signs of a chill.

Det. T'Surlak: Emperor's Cloaca, the cold weather comes earlier every year! *Emphatic Cough*

Det. Fitzsimmons: Drink your coffee. It's hot. You'll feel better.

Det. T'Surlak: I hate coffee. Even properly salted. Besides, caffeine makes me far too hopped up. Give me a good Qwerg any day.

Det. Fitzsimmons: Frankly, Qwerg does nothing for me or any Big Ugly I can think of. And you're right; one small cup of Joe seems like it hits you the way four larges would hit me...but then again I've been mainlining the stuff since I was a beat cop.

Det. T'Surlak: Not to mention the addiction. Nothing worse than a Lizard all hissed off 'cause he hasn't had his morning cup! It's like you Big Uglies and your cigarettes. By the way, what are we out here for again?

Det. Fitzsimmons: Vice raided a ginger shop here and want us to look it over. Clean-up work, Christ.

Det. T'Surlak: Better than working the Komodo case. Whether Dr. Death did his deed premeditated or not I'm just happy to see it off the headlines. Give me a simple crime scene sweep any day.

Suddenly they hear screaming and cursing. There's a sense of anger and panic.

Det. T'Surlak: Great, now what? *Interrogative Cough*

They run up to a tenement flat. There's an older woman with a broom poking at a bush. There's high-pitched, angry hissing and panicky beeping coming from the bush. The neighbors are gathering.

Det. Fitzsimmons (flashing badge): Alright, folks, make a hole!

Woman: Get off of her, get off of her, you beast!

Det. T'Surlak: What's going on, ma'am?

Woman (panicky): That little monster has Meeps! My Beffel!

Det. Fitzsimmons (grabbing phone): Dispatch? Send an animal control unit to 63rd and Wes...hell, it's making a break for it!

Det. T'Surlak: It's a hatchling! Feral!

The small hatcling, maybe a few months old, has a beeping, kicking Beffel in its mouth. Det. T'Surlak, hissing, darts at the hatchling. It drops the Beffel and runs. T'Surlak runs after it, leaping, and knocks over some garbage cans chasing it.

Det. T'Surlak: Come here, you addled little bastard!

He leaps, grabbing the back leg of the Hatchling. It turns and bites his arm.

Det. T'Surlak (hissing angrily): You little crap!

He grabs the hatchling by the back of the neck and gently bites its nose to get it to release its own bite. There's a little bit of blood on T'Surlak's arm. T'Surlak holds the kicking, hissing, filthy hatchling aloft.

Det. T'Surlak: Here's the little bastard. How's the Beffel?

Woman: Oh my God, Meeps! She's dying!

Det. Fitzsimmons: She's fine, ma'am. More scared than hurt. Surry, great catch. Angry little gal, ain't she?

Det. T'Surlak: It's a Male, actually. And you know what? The brow ridge scales have a very familiar look. Bet ya' Qwerg to a coffee that he's the Wild Child's big bro.

{Dun-Dun}

 

[Geekhis Khan]

Part IV: Teamwork
​

The precinct. Dets. Fitzsimmons and T'Surlak are next to a Race member wearing Psychologist body paint. Her name is Purriq. The captured male hatchling can be seen in a child's quarantine room through a two-way mirror. He's frantically exploring, tearing up the pillows, chewing the toys, and looking for escape routes.

Det. Fitzsimmons: Precocious little scamp, ain't he?

Det. T'Surlak (lifting up bandaged arm): Yea, tell me about it. *Emphatic Cough*

Dr. Purriq: He's definitely a feral. One half-year hatched. The TNA profile is a definite match with the mother of the Central Park Female. Different fathers. No surprise there.

Det. T'Surlak: So, little sister must've been conceived pretty much right after the last egg was laid.

Dr. Purriq: Certainly.

Det. Fitzsimmons: Mommy certainly gets around, doesn't she?

Both T'Surlak and Purriq send irritated eye turrets towards him.

Dr. Purriq: It's a textbook case of a ginger-addicted female.

Det. Fitzsimmons: Except most manage to find their way to the hatching center. Mommy Dearest here just couldn't be bothered.

Dets. Stabler and Benson walk up. Stabler looks annoyed.

Det. Stabler: Alright, gentle-Males, we'll take it from here.

Det. Fitzsimmons (showing fake shock): Why detective, what could you mean?

Det. Stabler: The Wild Child is our case.

Det. T'Surlak: No, the Central Park Wild Child is your case. The West End Wild Boy is ours.

Det. Stabler (now angry and sending a very suspicious gaze at T'Surlak): Look, McCoy was very clear...the case...don't you guys need to be digging up dirt on the Komodo case?

Det. Fitzsimmons: Been there, done that. The Good Doctor's past life as a Lizard-Hater should give Jack some leverage. If he needs more he'll find us. Until then...well, we'll be with the West Side Story here.

Det. Stabler: We'll see, gentlemen.

{Dun-Dun}


Waiting area by Jack McCoy's office. All four detectives are sitting at benches.

Det. Fitzsimmons: I feel like I'm waiting outside Mother Superior's office.

Det. Stabler: No kidding. I can feel the angry looming weight of the ruler over my knuckles.

Det. Benson: Well, whatever happens I hope they can do something with Westie. When they've been feral that long they're hard to assimilate into Race society, none the less finding a place in New York.

Det. Fitzsimmons: Westie? You named him?

Det. Benson: Just a mnemonic...Westie and Parkie, easier than West End Wild Boy, or whatever.

Det. T'Surlak: Oy vey ist mir *Emphatic Cough*

The door opens. It's Capt. Van Buren.

Capt. Van Buren: Ma'am, gentle-males. We're ready to see you.

They walk in. Capt. Cragen has a wry smirk on his face. DA McCoy has an "I'm too old for this crap" look on his face.

DA McCoy: Well, detectives...don't bother sitting down, this will only take a second. The short: you're all on the case. Consider it an interdepartmental cooperation. Officially Stabler and Benson are on the Central Park hatchling and T'Surlak and Fitzsimmons are on the West End hatchling, but you're under direction to share any and all pertinent information on each other's cases, especially on matters relating to both such as any suspects or evidence. Since the Female is the same, it's likely both departments will share in any case that arises from the investigation.

Capt. Cragen: Congrats, boys and girl, it's a double-date.

{Slight Time Skip}


All four detectives are walking out of the office. Stabler closes the door behind him. They walk down the hall.

Det. T'Surlak (patting Stabler on the back; Stabler jerks an almost imperceptible little bit away from him): Well, partners, looks like we have a case.

Det. Stabler: Great. *Emphatic Cough*

Det. Fitzsimmons: Well, I guess it's a good time to mention we have a TNA match on Parkie's daddy.

Det. Benson: That's great! We have news of our own. An El Lagarto member named Leatherback is in custody for, of all things, pimping for Human Females. He told us about a ginger-prostitution ring on West 74th.

Det. Fitzsimmons: Leatherback? Who comes up with a crazy street name like Leatherback?

Det. T'Surlak: Maybe he's taunting the Mongooses.

Det. Stabler (scowling and stomping ahead): Either way, it's time to have a word with that painted pimp.

{Dun-Dun}

 

[Geekhis Khan]

Part V: Pimpin' Ain't Easy
​

Paradise Towers Housing Project. W. 74th. A nervous looking Race member in "American" red-white-blue body paint, eye turrets darting left and right, walks up to a Race member in body paint like Abraham Lincoln. He wears a top hat and a fake chin-beard to complete the effect.

John (in Race): <Um...you> Honest Abe?

Honest Abe: Speak American, Lizard! *Emphatic Cough* And who wants to know? *Interrogative Cough*

John: Um...a friend told me you could hook me up with...

Honest Abe: Lizard, I don't sell ginger! *Emphatic Cough*

John: Umm...actually, I...

Honest Abe: Spit it out, Lizard! *Emphatic Cough*

John: It's all the ginger-heat Females...I, um, can't wait for the season. It's gettin' under my scales, drivin' me addled. My friend says Honest Abe can hook a Lizard up.

Honest Abe (looking around): Head up to the fourth floor, room 469. Knock three times, dig? *Interrogative Cough*

John: Um, really? *Interrogative Cough*

Honest Abe: I can not tell a lie.

{Cut Scene}


"John" knocks three times at room 469. The door is answered by a Race member in blue 70s suit and tie body paint.

Tricky Dick: Aroo! Welcome, friend! What's your American Dream? *Interrogative Cough*

John: Um...Honest Abe sent me up here...

Tricky Dick: Fillmore! Silent Cal! We got a friend! Take our friend to see the girls.

John steps inside. Immediately his head-crest scales are starting to twitch from the Female pheromones. There're two big Race members standing bodyguard, one in an 1800s suit body paint, the other in a 1920s suit body paint. At the far end is a smaller one with 1960s suit body paint and a bigger one with 1990s suit body paint.

John: So, um, how does this work? *Interrogative Cough*

Boston Jack: It's, ahh, quite simple. You give us one hundred bucks, and you get to go back to a room.

John (looking confused): And...then what? *Interrogative Cough*

Tricky Dick: What do you think, pal? It's you and a Female on ginger.

Slick Willie (with large unlit cigar): Ya' need me to draw ya' a map, son?

John: So, like, what do the Big Uglies call them, whores? *Interrogative Cough*

Tricky Dick: Aroo, we got a genius here! *Emphatic Cough*

Slick Willie: Only the best whores, brother! *Emphatic Cough*

John: All I needed to here. (ducks to the floor by the side)

The door is busted inwards. In rushes a team of NYPD in SWAT gear.

SWAT 1: Police! Freeze! You're under arrest!

Tricky Dick (being thrown to the floor and cuffed): I am not a crook! *Emphatic Cough*

{Cut Scene}


Dets. T'Surlak and Fitzsimmons are walking past the tape and police cordon. One uniformed officer is leading Honest Abe to a cruiser.

Officer: For the record, Genius, "I can not tell a lie" was Washington.

Det. Fitzsimmons: They're called the "Sex Presidents" if you can believe it.

Det. T'Surlak: Well, they need to get their facts straight. President Nixon?

Det. Fitzsimmons: Perish the thought. I'm sure Senator Clinton will be amused as well. Shall we head up?

Det. T'Surlak: Are the Females out of there? Last thing I need is to start mounting the victims.

Det. Fitzsimmons: Might complicate the paperwork some, yea. But yes, the Females have been escorted out. There were six. Ginger-addicted. Forced to turn tricks for ginger.

Det. T'Aurlak: Sick.

Det. Fitzsimmons: No kidding. The sad part is we've been doing this to our own females for centuries.

{Cut Scene}


In room 469. T'Surlak is twitchy, his head scales visibly coming up.

Det. Fitzsimmons: Detective, you're getting a scalie.

Det. T'Surlak: Its all the pheromones. (yells) Emperor's Cloaca, could someone open a damned window?

CSI Agent: As soon as we've finished picking up scales for evidence.

Det. T'Surlak curses.

Uniformed Officer: Detectives! In here!

{Dramatic Music}

They walk into a back room to a closet. The closet is full of old mouldering trash. In the far corner is a pile of shattered Race eggs.

 

[Geekhis Khan]

Part VI: Broken Eggs
​

The Precinct, SVU office. Stabler and Benson are sitting at a desk going through paperwork.

Det. Stabler: Okay, looks like five counts of running a brothel and human slavery, ginger possession and various health code violations. I'm also pushing for manslaughter charges on those broken eggs, the scaly bastards. Either way, our "presidents" are looking at serious time at Riker's.

Det. Benson: Pushing the manslaughter charges will be difficult without proof of the eggs' viability and fertility at time of their disposal. They're all over a year old as it is and TNA is badly cross-contaminated. I'll bet the DA's office will just dangle the possibility as leverage for a plea.

Det. Stabler: That's just not right. They should pay for what they did to those defenseless eggs.

Det. Benson: It's again going to be difficult to go there. We can't really prove the "presidents" were in any way involved. You'd have to prove they forced it upon the ginger-slaves or else you'd have to charge the Females as well. As of the moment there's no way the DA is going after them, poor things. They're getting ginger rehabilitation and counseling...hopefully they'll get their lives together.

Det. Stabler: Well, whichever of them laid those eggs in the streets and shrubs of Manhattan will get what's coming to her. Jesus, a whole species and society built on child abandonment.

Det. Benson (looking uncomfortable): Elliot...

Det. Stabler: What? Sorry. Just...forget it.

{Dun-Dun}


Cut to inside pediatric quarantine. Det. T'Surlak is talking in Race with Dr. Purriq. Westie is dodging and snapping at two large human orderlies.

Dr. Purriq: <He's doing slightly better. He's eating, which is good, but he's as you can see still very aggressive.>

Det. T'Surlak: <Can't say I blame him.>

Dr. Purriq: <We'll get another blood sample here to check his condition. Quarantine will last another few days and then we're handing him to> Child Services Race Division <to try and acclimate him to society.>

Det. T'Surlak: <I wish him the best. Then what? *Interrogative Cough*>

Dr. Purriq: <Hatchery Foster Center.>

Det. T'Surlak (English): *hiss* Poor bastard.

Dr. Purriq: <You don't think they know how to do their job? *Interrogative Cough*>

Det. T'Surlak: <Hell no. My, um,> brother <and I went through that place after my mother's third> O.D. It's a crap-hole *Emphatic Cough* <Better they'd broken his egg with the rest.>

Dr. Purriq (looking shocked): <Don't tell me you advocate egg-breaking! *Emphatic Cough*>

Det. T'Surlak (English): Better than having to go through that kind of hell.

Dr. Purriq: <Egg-Breaking is illegal in the Empire for a reason!>

Det. T'Surlak: <Yes, because they have enough> Lizards <to go around. Hatchlings don't go unclaimed or abandoned all the time like here.>

Dr. Purriq: <But certainly you can't honestly believe...>

Det. T'Surlak (English): Hey, if you can't catch 'em, don't hatch 'em!

Dr. Purriq looks to be on the verge of an angry rebuttal when the sound of a table being knocked over interrupts them. The orderlies are trying to chase Westie out from under the badly-torn bed.

Orderly 1: Come on you little...ouch! The bastard bit me!

Orderly 2: I'm getting the tranq. ready...

Det. T'Surlak: Oh, for the love of god. *Emphatic Cough* Here...

Det. T'Surlak walks up and pushes past the orderlies. He makes a hiss-bark like noise and stares double-turret at Westie under the cot. Then, in a flash, darts in a hand and grabs Westie by the neck-scruff. Westie is kicking and snapping and hissing. T'Surlak holds Westie up to his face, hiss-barks again and rests his chin on Westie''s snout in a dominant manner, both eye-turrets locked. Westie's hiss draws down slowly as he's transfixed. Calmed, T'Surlak carries Westie over to the counter and holds him transfixed while Dr. Purriq takes the blood. He then releases Westie, who runs to a cot-leg and then looks back at T'Surlak with curiosity.

Dr. Purriq: <Impressive, Detective. You have a manner with hatchlings>

Det. T'Surlak: <When both your parents are> ginger-heads <you have to become the parent sometimes. I practically raised my> brother.

Dr. Purriq: <Goodbye, Detective.>

Det. T'Surlak: <Goodbye, Healer.>

Det. T'Surlak leaves the room, turning a turret back briefly when Westie meeps at him. He closes the door and walks out.

 

[Geekhis Khan]

Part VII: Crisis of Faith
​

The Precinct. Conference room. Dets. Stabler and Benson, T'Surlak and Fitzsimmons are sitting around a conference table with Capts. Van Buren and Cragen and ADAs Essval and Rothschild.

ADA Essval: After we presented the mountain of evidence against them the defendants pretty much folded. Their lawyer convinced them to accept the plea and they're each facing up to 10 years in State.

Det. Stabler: And what of the eggs?

ADA Essval: We never had to bring them up, which is ok because we really have nothing on them. The TNA is polluted and the latest is two years old.

Det. Fitzsimmons: It seems they wised up and put their Spice Girls on fertility suppressants. No muss, no fuss, no cleanup.

Det. Stabler (sending Fitzsimmons an angry look): So, we just do nothing? How many hatchlings did they kill? How many did they throw in the trash just to keep profits going?

ADA Rothschild: It's not that simple...the proof of fertility is impossible to determine in such a polluted sample...

Det. Stabler (abruptly standing up): 'Sample'? What, are these kids just a damned lab experiment to you people?

Capt. Cragen: Detective! Sit down and calm the hell down!

Det. Stabler: Wh...what? You too, Captain? Am I the only one who cares that twenty-some hatchlings were killed?

Capt. Cragen: No! No for the love of god, but there's certain legal principles we have to...

Det. Stabler (interrupting): 'Legal principles'? For the love of God indeed! These damned Lizards just throw their babies in the trash...

Det. T'Surlak (cross-interrupting): What, so we hatch these poor kids and file them off to the damned home? Let them run the streets like wild beffels? Where's the responsibility in that? Besides, an egg's not a hatchling. I should know, I'm the Lizard. And might I ask which 'damned Lizards' you meant? The pimps? All if us? Your truly? *Ironic Interrogative Cough*

Capt. Cragen (irate): Alright, all of you, shut up! What, is this a goddamned honky tonk? Stabler, you're out of line!

Capt. Van Buren: You too, T'Surlak.

Capt. Cragen: Look, you think this whole polluted mess doesn't tick me off too? But like T'Surlak said, by law an egg is an egg.

Det. Benson: Wait, don't we prosecute thieves who break a Race egg during a robbery with manslaughter?

ADA Essval: Well, a lot depends on the crime and the circumstances...

Det. Stabler: So we treat it as alive when it suits us, how damned convenient.

Capt. Cragen: Detective, I'm warning you! In fact, if there's no objections from the District Attorney's office or Captain Van Buren I say we end this meeting now.

Capt. Van Buren: I agree on all counts. Detective T'Surlak, I'll be seeing you in my office.

Capt. Cragen: And I you, Stabler!

ADA Rothschild: Um, meeting adjourned then?

{Dun-Dun}


Briscoll's Tavern. W. 44th. Night. Det. Fitzsimmons is sitting at the bar with a whiskey. Det. Stabler walks in and joins him.

Det. Stabler: Hey...

Det. Fitzsimmons: Hey Elliot, what's up?

Det. Stabler: The case, what else?

Det. Fitzsimmons: (snorts) What else? It's a doozy. (takes a sip of whiskey). So, I'm surprised to see you sitting down. Don't tell me the Captain left you ass to sit on? T'Surlak's tail got eaten like corn-on-the-cob.

Det. Stabler: Yea, I nearly got suspended. Mother Mary...it's this case. It's the eggs. How do you...as a Catholic, I mean...how do you just...walk away?

Det. Fitzsimmons: You mean besides drink myself addled in filthy dives?

Det. Stabler: I'm serious.

Det. Fitzsimmons: So am I. Look, I gotta admit I don't share your faith. I went to Latin school, took my share of rulers, I go to Mass on Christmas and Easter...pretty much to keep mom off my back. But this job doesn't exactly build up a man's faith in a just and loving universal order.

{Silent Pause}

Det. Stabler: I tried talking to my priest. He commended my faith, repeated the Pope's admonition against egg-breaking, and told me to pray the rosary and seek my own conscience.

Det. Fitzsimmons: (snort) Sounds like a priest.

{Silent Pause}

Det. Fitzsimmons: So, the stuff about Lizards. Look, T'Surlak and I drop the "L" bomb between us, but it sounded like you meant it, I mean really meant 'Lizards'...the way my dad used to.

Det. Stabler: (sighs) I...I'm sorry. It's not like me, it really isn't. I'm not a bigot. I...

Det. Fitzsimmons: Elliot, don't piss up my leg and tell me it's raining. You don't like Lizards. Admit that, to yourself more than anyone.

Det. Stabler (choking up): I can't describe it. It's the way they act, the way they look. It's like they're living embodiments of the Serpent. It's like they were sent by the adversary as part of the final trump. Damn it, Fitz, the way they mindlessly screw and run off. The way they abandon their children to whoever decides to pick them up. It's just...

Det. Fitzsimmons: Inhuman?

Det. Stabler: Ouch, Fitz. Look, I know it's bullshit, but I just can't reconcile the faith with the Race. The Church has been no help either. With 85% of the world's Catholics living under the Race even the current Pope won't dare condemn their idolatry or their enslavement of Christendom...or come out on the other side to describe the Race's place in the Cosmic Order. No Pope has...ever! Just some brief propagandistic stuff during the invasion sixty damned years ago. I...I'd just like some word, some place where they fit. Then there's the egg thing, the one area the Church spoke out against. It just...opened up bad old wounds at the wrong time. How...how do I just let it go? Adapt or even learn to live with the gap?

Det. Fitzsimmons: Look, Elliot, I ain't no altar boy myself. I used to hate blacks and anyone from an Orange Ulster background. Dear Ol' Dad made sure all of us knew the 'darkies' were just minutes from rebellion to betray us to the Lizards 'just like in Florida'. Hell...took me damned near all my life to purge that acid, and even now I find I have to sit back for a second and re-evaluate my motivations with certain suspects. (pauses to finish drink, raises finger to bartender for another) Working for Anita has helped. She's sharp as a tack and the hardest, most honest person I've met...all by herself she's sunk most of the crap my dad had the young me convinced applied to all of her race.

Det. Stabler (pause, taking it all in): That helps. Strangely enough it helps. Apologize to your partner for me.

Det. Fitzsimmons: Apologize to him yourself. He's a damned good detective, and if you work with him for a while maybe that'll help more. Hell if I know.

Det. Stabler: Hell if I know. I'll try. But damn it, I wanted those damned pimps...I wanted them to face up to their killings.

Det. Fitzsimmons: Ten years is ten years. Even if you could prove any manslaughter charges, which you won't, the sentence wouldn't be appreciably longer.

Det. Stabler: Damn it, it's the principle of the matter!

Det. Fitzsimmons: Yea. (finishes next drink in a gulp, drops a $20 bill on the bar)

Det. Stabler: Well, with luck we can at least find out which of the ginger slaves was Westie's mom. If she gets her act together at least he could have a mother...or what passes for a mother among the Race.

Det. Fitzsimmons: Well, I've got more wonderfully great news for you: none of them are the mother. They're the only whores in the stable according to all the pimps and girls when interviewed separately. They've been on fertility suppressors for two years. And none of the TNA soup recovered from the eggs is a match. Mommy Dearest is still out there.

They get up, Fitzsimmons puts on his hat, and they walk out the door.

 

[Geekhis Khan]

Part VIII: Gray Area
​

The Precinct. ADAs Essval and Rothschild watch through a one-way glass as Det. T'Surlak interviews another Race member; a sketch artist in on hand.

ADA Essval: So that's Parkie's "Daddy"? *interrogative cough*

ADA Rothschild: In the scales. T'Surlak's trying to get sketches of the potential mothers so they can track her down. Then the fun part: how do we prosecute this one?

ADA Essval: Can we prosecute this? *interrogative cough* On Home if a Female lays and egg and it hatches feral there's really nothing much thought of it.

ADA Rothschild: Yea, but on Home your "lay and forget" eggs are more likely to hatch with the warm sands. The only reason Parkie hatched was the warm summer. Westie we have no idea. Heat grate is the going hypothesis. They've since found two other eggs, both lifeless; one in the park apparently froze over winter, the other in an alley was rat-eaten.

ADA Essval (looks horrified for a second): Jack wants to push for Child Abandonment, but I don't see how that applies. The only rulings of this sort in the Empire's database are ones covering post-adoption and cases involving ovicide.

ADA Rothschild: And on the US side we have only one known case of abandoned eggs in New Mexico. The Female was never found and a "Wild Boy of the Desert" became more of a legend turned tourist attraction once he was tamed and adopted. I hear he later ended up in jail for assault.

ADA Essval: What about ovicide? Any US cases there? *interrogative cough*

ADA Rothschild: Nothing of this sort at all. There was Texas v. Edvars and Hernandez. Two Race haters that broke into a Race member's house, smashed her near-term egg, tore up the house and assaulted her. The State executed both for capital murder, but that was considered an egregious act of deadly violence committed in the act of a felony and was governed under existing statutes for the killing of a fetus during assault on a pregnant woman.

ADA Essval (shocked): So there's not a single case or statute on ovicide in this not-empire? *interrogative cough*

ADA Rothschild: None. Like our presidential pimps there's always been another more straight-forward crime. Then there's questions on Rowe v. Wade and whether a Female is legally protected when breaking her own eggs or having them broken at her behest.

ADA Essval: Is there at least a time limit?!

ADA Rothschild: Well, that one's never come up...well, save from Texas v. Edvars/Hernadez but that was a special case. Any voluntary egg breaking incidents that have turned up were all done in the immediate post-lay period. Honestly, I wouldn't know if a near-term egg would be protected or not!

ADA Essval (after a period of silence): I can't believe your species.

ADA Rothschild (looking grim): You know, there are plenty of us who support a right to choose.

ADA Essval (looking with both eye turrets): What? You?

ADA Rothschild: Well, yes. I don't see as how it's the State's business what I do with my eggs, so why should it say what you do with yours?

ADA Essval: I can't believe you. It's...against nature to kill your own offspring! *emphatic cough*

ADA Rothschild (crossing arms): Hon, don't tell me ginger-induced babies are a natural part of the Race life cycle.

ADA Essval: Well, they happen, and we have to deal with the consequences! *emphatic cough*

ADA Rothschild: So you'd tell some ginger-raped Female that she'd have to carry an unwanted egg to term and hatch it? *interrogative cough*

ADA Essval: Yes! *emphatic cough*

{Uncomfortable silence}

ADA Rothschild: (sighs) Look, whatever the detectives find, we both need to keep in mind we're on uncharted waters here. Anything we decide may set precedent. That means we both need to keep ourselves calm and objective and within the framework of law.

ADA Essval (after a moment): Yes, of course. Still, how do you just shut off the part of you that rages at the injustice of things and coldly do your job? *interrogative cough*

ADA Rothschild: I don't know, hon. I'll have to let you know if I ever find out.

 

[Geekhis Khan]

Part IX: The Mother
​

The Precinct Breakroom. Dets. T'Surlak and Fitzsimmons are talking while getting qwerg & coffee. The TV is on ANN. Though the sound is off the animated banners read "NY Wild Child".

Det. T'Surlak (noticing TV): Great.

Det. Fitzsimmons: And so it begins...only a matter of time, really.

Det. T'Surlak: I just hope it isn't Komodo all over again.

Det. Fitzsimmons: No, this one's political...it'll be far worse,

Det. T'Surlak curses in Race.

{Beat}

Det. T'Surlak: Well, since we're on the subject, what do you think? About the eggs? Just to clear out the Azwaca in the room.

Det. Fitzsimmons: Well, personally I'd just as soon not see any broken, but I figure it's not really for me to say. As long as it's done early. No late-breaks.

Det. T'Surlak: What about if the hatchling-to-be is incapable of surviving outside the egg? That's something you only rarely discover early in the hatching period.

Det. Fitzsimmons: You see, there you go, muddying up a perfectly good preconceived notion with gray areas...let's just say I'll take things on a case-by-case basis. *emphatic cough*

Det. T'Surlak: Fair enough. *emphatic cough*

Det. Stabler walks into the break room and goes for the coffee. He notices T'Surlak and his eyes skip back and forth for a second. Finally, coffee in hand, he approaches T'Surlak.

Det. Stabler: Hey, Detective. I...I guess I owe you an apology.

Det. T'Surlak: Why? What did you do? *interrogative cough*

Det. Stabler: My attitude these last few weeks, you know, about...

Det. T'Surlak (interrupting): ...the Cruisers-Killercraft game? Yea. I can't believe you're a Killers fan. It's all about the Land Cruisers, see. *emphatic cough*

Det. Stabler (smiling and chuckling to self, relieved at the pass from T'Surlak): Yea. What can I say, I grew up in a staunch Namath household. And despite the name, your Land Cruisers really lack an offensive line. *emphatic cough*

Det. T'Surlak (mouth open in humor): Says you!

Det. Fitzsimmons: Hey, don't look at me, I'm a baseball guy.

Stabler is about to make a comment when Capt. Van Buren walks in.

Capt. Van Buren: Heads up, gentlemen. We found the mother. She was found spiced to the nictaters on ginger in an alley. They're bringing her in.

Det. T'Surlak: Not in heat, I hope.

Capt. Van Buren: The pheromone counters read "no".

Det. Stabler (looking at TV, angry): Oh, come on! You're kidding me!

They turn to the TV. The screen now says "Wild Child Update: Mother Found?" Footage (from an aircraft) shows police cruiser heading down Park Ave. Fitzsimmons turns up the volume.

TV Anchor: ...young female was picked up off of 47th street and is currently in the squad car shown, according to the anonymous footage...

The scene changes to shaky phone-video footage of uniformed officers taking a haggard-looking Race member to a squad car.

Officer: Come along, mommy dearest.

TV Anchor: The "Wild Child" case and the ginger prostitution ring it inadvertently turned up has resparked the national debate over egg treatment...

Capt. Van Buren (turning volume back down): We'd better get to the loading dock to help out. The vultures will be swarming, I'm sure.

{Cut Scene}

Precinct loading bay. A line of hastily, assembled officers holds back a crowd of press and protesters as the squad car attempts to get through. There are chants and thrown bottles at the car.

Protester 1 (holding "Save the Eggs" sign): Murderer!

Trio of Protesters (chanting in Unison): Egg rights now! Egg rights now!

Protester 2: Free the political prisoner! End the enslavement of Females!

The police fight to keep the two opposing sides apart while press cameras swarm. Dets. Stabler and T'Surlak rush up to the squad car as it slides past the cordon. Stabler holds up his trenchcoat to shelter the officer and Female.

Protester 1: Killer! (throws a small rock that hits T'Surlak, apparently by accident)

Det. T'Surlak: *hiss* Hey! *emphatic cough*

The protester flees through the crowd, the rest move in to impede the uniform officer that attempts to catch him.

Det. Stabler: Everyone! Settle down this instant!

Det. T'Surlak: Yes! *emphatic cough* Can't you tell this Female is gravid?

Dets. Benson and Fitzsimmons join in assisting their passage. They escort her into the doors. The noise quiets as they shut, but is still audible.

Det. T'Surlak: *hiss* Another day at the office.

Mother (somewhat bewildered): H...how did you know I was gravid?

Det. T'Surlak: Ma'am, you're obviously spiced to Sunday. If you weren't gravid you'd be in heat and I'd be unable to perform my duties as an officer.

Det. Fitzsimmons: Talk about mounting evidence.

All three other detectives, the uniformed officers, and Captain Van Buren stare daggers at Det. Fitzsimmons.

Det. Fitzsimmons: What? *emphatic cough*

 

[Geekhis Khan]

Part X: Mother Troubles
​

{Dun-Dun}

The Precinct, interrogation room. Dets. Benson and Stabler are in with Rassgur , the "mother" of the Wild Children. She wears badly applied USA body paint and is twitching with early ginger withdrawl. Benson is sitting on the table across from Rassgur. Stabler is pacing impatiently, and angrily.

Rassgur (with a very thick Race accent): What was I supposed do? *Interrogative Cough* I gravid was, I need egg lay, I was no in...shape?...to raise hatchlings, so I lay the eggs where I think hatch and go with my life. I figured someone find them.

Det. Stabler (angry, stopping and turning towards Rassgur): "Someone"? You figured "Someone" would take care of your hatchlings? In New York City? Do you have any idea the danger you put them in?

Rassgur: I...I not at the time, I...

Det. Benson: It's ok. Rassgur, we understand your predicament and we understand your stress, but why didn't you take advantage of the Hatching Centers? They exist for a reason and are free of charge...

Rassgur: But...but Grample say you have sign papers...reg-register...I no, I can't *Emphatic Cough*

Det. Stabler: What, does that take too long?! Better to let your hatchlings be devoured by feral dogs than fill out a few forms?!

Det. Benson (looking at partner): Elliot...please. (he sighs and trudges to the back; she turns back to Rassgur) Rassgur, why was the registration such a problem?

Rassgur (eye turrets darting nervously, scratching skin): I...I can't...you send...send me...

Det. Benson: Send you where? Where would we send you?

Det. Stabler: How about to jail for child abandonment?

Det. Benson: Elliot. Rassgur, where would we send you?

Rassgur: Back to Empire! I...never want go back to Empire! Too many law, too many clockwork. I stay not-empire USA! *Emphatic Cough*

Det. Benson: Why would we send you back to the Empire?

Rassgur starts looking away.

Det. Benson: Rassgur! *Emphatic Cough* Why would we send you back to the Empire?

{Dramatic Pause}

Rassgur (eye turrets drop to table): I...I not come USA right. I...hide in water cruiser, pay to Male, he bring me to USA.

Det. Benson: You're here undocumented.

Rassgur: Yes...yes I come un-undocmentid. I want freedom not-empire. I want life mine not Emperor's (eye turrets drop involuntarily). I register in hatchery they find out I get sent back Empire.

Det. Benson: They can't do that, Rassgur. The hatchery can't legally share that information unless specifically subpoenaed by the police. There's no reason why you'd go back to the Empire because of that.

Det. Stabler: Yes, you left your hatchlings to die out of selfish wants, and for nothing. Think about that from your cell! *Emphatic Cough*

Rassgur breaks down, whine-hissing, clawing at snout. Benson sends Stabler a dirty look. He refuses to rise to it. Benson moves a chair next to Rassgur and tries to comfort her.

Det. Benson: Rassgur, it's ok. It's ok. We'll get you the help you need.

Rassgur: No matter now! *Emphatic Cough* You know I here not dokminted, you send me back! I have go back to Empire! *Emphatic Cough* (continues breakdown)

{Dun-Dun}


Cragen's office. Stabler and Benson are there in the chairs at the desk. DA McCoy is standing by the door. Sergeant Munch is there as well and sits in the window sill.

Capt. Cragen: She's right, she's going back. Jack's contacting INS to have her deported.

Sgt. Munch: No muss, no fuss, no problem. Let the Empire worry about her.

Det. Stabler: So once again we're letting someone get away with manslaughter to make our lives easier?

DA McCoy: It's more complicated than that, Detective. We have to prove negligent abandonment; she just has to plead ignorance of the dangers while acting "on instinct". Proving abandonment in a way that doesn't interfere with existing statutes concerning Race reproduction will be more trouble than you think. In all, based on her reactions I'd say deportation's about the hardest thing we can give her. I almost feel bad about it.

Sgt. Munch: Another victory for The Man.

Capt. Cragen: Munch, can it. Alright, Jack, I'll get the paperwork rolling...

He's interrupted by a knock at the door. It's ADA Essval.

ADA Essval: Jack, two lawyers claiming to represent Rassgur are here and demand...

A Race Female in Legal body paint and a tanned woman with extremely long aburn hair and a pant suit unceremoniously walk past Essval.

Woman: The imprisonment of our client ends now!

Capt. Cragen: Now wait a damned minute, you don't just barge into...

Female (interrupting, handing Jack a card): I'm Aldriss and this is Seneca, and we're attorneys with the Free Females Defense League. And we demand to see our client.

Woman (Seneca): We will not sit idly by while the political imprisonment of this Female continues! She's fully within her rights to lay her eggs where she deems best and not face suppression by those who don't understand her physiological needs! *Emphatic Cough*

Det. Stabler (standing up, facing Seneca): Excuse me, councilor, but don't we have hatching centers for just that reason?

Seneca: What, those bureaucratic detainment facilities? Those places that the government uses to track Females and control the education of the Race? *Emphatic Cough*

Sgt. Munch (sliding glasses down his nose, looking at Seneca): Wow...I think I'm love.

Female (Aldiss, handing Jack a pink slip of paper): In short, detectives, Mr. District Attorney, we have a petition demanding our client's release.

DA McCoy: Well, ladies, you're in luck! We were just about to release your client from our custody entirely.

 

[Geekhis Khan]

Part XI: Complications
​

Pediatrics, Race care facility. Det. T'Surlak is with Dr. Purriq and Rassgur. They are looking in on the Hatchlings. Westie is off by himself away from the other hatchlings tearing up a toy. It's clear the others are avoiding him.

Rassgur (in Race): <That horrible little monster is mine? *Emphatic Cough*>

Dr. Purriq: <The genetic ties are conclusive.> (English) Congrats, mom, it's a boy. *Emphatic Cough*

Rassgur (scratching self nervously): <By the Emperor (Rassgur's and Purriq's eye turrets drop, T'Surlak's do not) I can't believe I could produce such a...beast! *Emphatic Cough*>

Det. T'Surlak (eye turrets both towards Rassgur, with irritation): <That "monster" is the way he is because he grew up on the> goddamned street! *Emphatic Cough* <What, did you think he'd be adopted by a kindly old matriarch and live on a farm in Woodstock? *Interrogative Cough*>

Dr. Purriq (in English): Please, Detective, lay off of the girl. She's had a hard time.

Det. T'surlak (English): Yea, a hard time fighting ginger withdrawal.

Rassgur's eye turrets turn to T'Surlak when he says "ginger"

Dr. Purriq (to Rassgur): <As the lay-mother you get the first option for taking your son home, assuming you successfully complete> ginger rehab <and pass the psychological profiles.>

Rassgur: <Ugh! Please, no! *Emphatic Cough* Can't you send him to an adoptive center? *Interrogative Cough*>

Dr. Purriq: <If that is the lay-mother's request it shall be done.>

T'Surlak hisses quietly. Camera pans to Westie as he shakes a stuffed beffel in his teeth.

{Cut Scene}


DA's office. DA McCoy and ADA Essval are sitting at the conference table filling out paperwork.

DA McCoy: Ok, the form for transit is filled out and signed, we have a flight lined up from La Guardia to Mexico City. Did you finish the form for customs?

ADA Essval: Done, Superior Sir.

DA McCoy: What have I told you about this "superior sir" stuff? Anyway, Rassgur will be handed over to Race customs agents for debrief and whatever processing they require...

ADA Essval: I have the Race customs form right here.

DA McCoy: ...excellent. Only five more forms. At this rate we'll be done by dinner.

They are interrupted by ADA Rothschild as she flings open the door.

ADA Rothschild: Jack, we have a problem.

DA McCoy: Great, what now?

ADA Rothschild opens up a small laptop on the table. She types for a second and a video feed starts of an episode of the popular daytime talk show "Mona". On the screen, host Mona is talking with a Race member...Rassgur.

(On screen) Mona: And tell me what happened next...

(On screen) Rassgur: I...I had lay egg. I...can't not...it the ginger...no control over body pr...processes.

(On screen) Mona: and what did you do with the egg?

(On screen) Rassgur: I not know what do...I...I on ginger...I not know better...I... (dabs eye turrets with handkerchief)

ADA Essval: Why is she dabbing her eye? The Race doesn't cry.

ADA Rothschild: Shh! Watch! *Emphatic Cough*

(On screen) Rassgur: ...I lost and alone and I not know what do, so I...*hiss* I dump down waste chute! (shocked exclamations from audience)

DA McCoy: Oh damn it all! I'll kill her!

(On screen) Mona: That must have been very hard for you.

(On screen) Rassgur: Yes! So...so hard! I not want lose egg, but I...not know! I think... (ADA Rothschild turns off laptop)

ADA Rothschild: That aired today at 11. Every housewife in America probably saw it. The major news outlets around the world have picked up the story and are running with it.

ADA Essval: They'll kill her! *Emphatic Cough* When she gets to Empire territory they'll hold her for Ovicide and execute her!

DA McCoy: I'll kill her, I swear!

ADA Rothschild: What, and beat the Race to the punch?

DA McCoy: No, not that stupid ginger-head, I'm talking about Aldiss...or Ms. Seneca. Whichever of those two damned activist lawyers had her pull this stupid stunt! I'll have one or both of them disbarred for endangering their client!

ADA Essval: What I don't get is why...why admit to a capital crime just before being deported to the Empire? *Interrogative Cough*

ADA Rothschild: Why? Because now we can't just deport her. We send her back now, we send her to her death.

ADA Essval: Of course...she told the detectives that she never wanted to go back to the Empire.

DA McCoy: So she gambles it all on us not just saying "screw it" and shipping her off anyway!

{Beat}

DA McCoy: The sad thing is...she's right. The mayor will never allow us to deport her now. *sigh* That's it, ladies. Grab your books and order take-out. Looks like we have an all-nighter ahead of us. *Ironic Emphatic Cough*

 

[Geekhis Khan]

Part XII: Building a Case
​

{Dun-Dun}

DA's conference room. DA McCoy and ADAs Essval and Rothschild sit across from Rassgur and Attorneys Aldiss and Seneca.

Councilor Seneca: Honestly, Mr. District Attorney, we had nothing to do with Ms. Rassgur's decision to visit the talk show, that was entirely her decision as a free and independent Female.

DA McCoy: For your sake, Ms. Seneca...and yours too, Councilor Aldiss...I hope that nothing to refute that surfaces or so help me it will go to the BAR.

Councilor Aldiss: Could we please leave threats aside? *Interrogative Cough* We are still here to represent our client and her wishes.

DA McCoy: Very well, Councilor. Business. We're charging your client on two charges under section 260.00, Abandonment of a Child; that's a Class E Felony, 16 to 48 months and $1,000-$5,000 each, and we're of a strong mind to charge your client with negligent manslaughter in the case of the second hatchling!

Rassgur Hisses in worried shock, sends both eye turrets to Aldiss.

Councilor Seneca: First off, what our client does with her eggs is her business. That's protected under federal abortion statutes. Second, even if you could argue that the egg represents an actual living being, which you can not, the fact that it was laid in a suitable hatching location is defensible intent for the child's safety as defined under 260.03.

ADA Rothschild: Please, Councilor, 260.03 requires not just "safe" for the immediate moment, but in position to be properly cared for with others properly notified...like the "basket on the doorstep" cliche. Somehow I doubt a bush in Central Park or an alley in the West Side is going to qualify.

ADA Essval: We're willing to accept a plea to two charges of Abandonment at this point, sentences to run concurrently, minimum fines.

Councilor Seneca: Wow, so only a few years in political prison for following your natural instincts? God bless our democracy!

Rassgur: What? J...jail? *Interrogative Cough* No, no jail! *Emphatic Cough*

DA McCoy: Councilor, do you mind if we stick to the facts?

Councilor Aldiss: I believe what my associate is saying is that our client committed no actual crimes since an egg is not legally a hatchling, so the Abandonment charge is moot.

Councilor Seneca: Or in other words, 'no deal'. When you're willing to drop the charges and apologize to our client, we're ready to talk further. (Puts papers back in briefcase and starts to get up)

DA McCoy: Then frankly your client is going to trial! And I can't guarantee that the charges will end at section 260!

Councilor Aldiss: Mr. District Attorney, sir, such threats are beneath a Male of your stature.

{Cut Scene}


Still in the DA's office. The three prosecuting attorneys are sitting around the table. It is now noticeably evening.

ADA Essval: Frankly I think we have a solid case for Abandonment, and quite frankly a good case for Man 2. She obviously had no intention of seeing the eggs hatched, even if we consider the admissions of egg-trashing as a made up ploy, which frankly I do. Even now she shows nothing but aversion to her own offspring when he's alive and healthy, if more than a little wild.

DA McCoy: Then go for Man 2 as well. If nothing else it gives the jury something to reject, let them feel like they're expressing leniency while we still get her on Abandonment...and I want full sentencing. We were more than fair in our earlier offer.

ADA Rothschild (looking increasingly upset): Yes, sir, more than fair.

DA McCoy: What is it, Councilor? You've been moping all afternoon!

ADA Rothschild: Don't worry, sir, I'll do my job and follow your lead.

DA McCoy: Councilor...Rebekkah, You know I run an open office. If something's bothering you please speak up.

ADA Rothschild (sighs, takes off glasses): It's this whole case. As much of a rude and unprofessional bitch as that Ms. Seneca is, she's right: how is this different from a woman getting an abortion? Doesn't Rowe v. Wade cover this? More to the point, what kind of precedent does this set, prosecuting this confused drug addict for manslaughter? What activist judge is going to use this as a stepping stone to charge some girl for aborting her fetus?

ADA Essval: It's not the same. For one, there's easy-to-reach hatching centers...

ADA Rothschild (angry, interrupting): There's also adoption centers! *Emphatic Cough* Admittedly much harder to arrange than the open, few-to-no-questions hatching centers, but that's what they're going to say! We threaten to open a political Pandora's box here! And for what, one idiot misguided Ginger-head?

ADA Essval: And what if we don't prosecute? We give a free pass to any abandonment of eggs. "Lay your eggs in the street, who cares?" *Emphatic Cough*

DA McCoy (irate and red-faced): Councilors, please! (calming down, turning to ADA Rothschild) Look, Rebekkah, your objections are noted...and justified. But the mayor wants a case here, and we're giving him one. Frankly, I personally feel that Rowe Vs. Wade doesn't apply here...the second it leaves your body, be it a child or an egg, it's no longer your choice.

ADA Essval (looking confused): So, if you were to...abort an egg, that's alright? *Interrogative Cough*

ADA Rothschild: Oh boy, that's another can of worms entirely! What are we getting ourselves into?

DA McCoy: Well, that's how we're proceeding with this, come hell or high water, and that's final.

{Dramatic Pause}

All return to their papers, but an uncomfortable tension persists.

ADA Rothschild: (sighs) Okay, I have to ask: are you Pro-Choice or Pro-Life, Jack?

DA McCoy (looks at ADA Rothschild): I'm Pro-Law, Councilor.

 

[Geekhis Khan]

Part XIII: the Trial
​

{Dun-Dun}

District Court

Day 14, NY vs. Rassgur. Judge William Holbert presiding. Jury consists of a surprising 9 Humans, 3 Race due to defense concerns over Race cultural bias against an "egg breaker". On the stand is a Race Female in Medical Doctor's body paint (Dr. Pernal).

ADA Essval: ...so the egg is fully encapsulated against the elements and fully capable of growth without substantial care as long as temperatures are sufficient and it remains undisturbed.

Dr. Pernal: Yes, Councilor. An egg of the Race is very self-sufficient for the most part, though dangers to the egg and any newly hatched Race members remain high without adult supervision and protection.

ADA Essval: So laying an egg in an area without supervision and without any forms of controlled temperature or protection will increase danger to the egg and emergent hatchling?

Dr. Pernal: Yes, that is true.

ADA Essval: That is all.

Judge Holbert: Defense, your witness.

Councilor Aldiss: Dr. Pernal, what is the physiological difference between an egg still carried by a gravid female and one laid?

Dr. Pernal: Well, they're in constant growth and development throughout the process...

Councilor Aldiss: What about in the days pre-lay versus the days immediately post-lay?

Dr. Pernal: Negligible. The biggest change is the shell hardening in the minutes immediately post-lay.

Councilor Aldiss: So the actual laying of the egg itself makes little physiological difference, it's all part of a larger growth process?

Dr. Pernal: Yes.

Councilor Aldiss (pauses, going through notes with one eye turret): In a newly-laid egg is the hatchling inside developed or capable of survival outside the egg?

Dr. Pernal: Not hardly! *Emphatic Cough* It's basically a few cells and a nutritional yoke in supportive fluid.

Councilor Aldiss: According to the writings of Dr. Louis Bernhart, OB/GYN with John Hopkins Medical Center - Defense A, Your Honor...

Judge Holbert: Noted.

Councilor Aldiss: ...the newly-laid egg is comparable to a Human fetus in the first trimester and in no way physiologically a hatchling capable of self-support. Do you concur, doctor? *Interrogative Cough*

Dr. Pernal: Yes, I have read her study...it was informative and I find no fault with it.

Councilor Aldiss: Thank you, doctor, that is all.

ADA Essval: Redirect, Your Honor?

Judge Holbert: Proceed.

ADA Essval: Dr. Pernal, if a pregnant Human female is killed with the fetus in the first trimester, is there any hope for the fetus' survival? *Interrogative Cough*

Dr. Pernal: Well, I'm not an expert in Human physiology, but the answer is definitely "no". *Emphatic Cough*

ADA Essval: What if a Race Female dies after laying an egg? *Interrogative Cough*

Dr. Pernal: The egg is fully capable of continued development, but still vulnerable to elemental changes and dangers as I mentioned before.

ADA Essval: Nothing more, Your Honor.

Judge Holbert: Very well, the witness is dismissed. Prosecution, you may call your next witness.

ADA Rothschild: Thank you, Your Honor. The City of New York calls Dr. Favvur.

Dr. Favvur, a Male in Cultural Studies body paint, takes the stand and swears in in the name of the Emperors Past.

ADA Rothschild: Dr. Favvur, could you please tell the jury of your qualifications.

Dr. Favvur: Yes, Councilor. I am a doctor of Race Cultural Studies, Superior Degree from the Imperial Academy at Mexico City, PhD from Stanford. I have many published and peer-reviewed works on Race cultural and historical patterns and Race cultural law.

ADA Rothschild: The City would like to enter Dr. Favvur as an expert.

Judge Holbert: Noted.

ADA Rothschild: Dr. Favvur, in traditional Race culture and law, what is the status of an egg?

Dr. Favvur: Well, an egg is identified as a developmental and legal entity distinct from a hatched Race member or a gravid female, though there's some dispute over when an unlaid egg is considered viable on its own.

ADA Rothschild: So, is an egg considered alive by Race law and tradition?

Dr. Favvur: by Race law and tradition, yes, and this is almost universally accepted in the Empire and by known records has been the case since at least the reign of the 4th Emperor Barraal thirteen thousand years ago.

ADA Rothschild: So, an egg isn't specifically a 'hatchling', but it is a distinct living entity in its own right, and certainly not a part of the laying female the way an unlaid egg might be.

Dr. Favvur: That's correct by Race tradition at least.

ADA Rothschild: So Human abortion law, such as Rowe vs. Wade really doesn't apply to a laid egg.

Councilor Aldiss: Objection; relies on legal speculation where no precedent exists.

Judge Holbert: Sustained. The jury is instructed to ignore that remark.

ADA Rothschild: Let me rephrase: to the Race, would Rowe Vs. Wade apply...

Councilor Aldiss: Objection; speculation.

Judge Holbert: Again, sustained. Stick to the facts, Councilor Rothschild.

ADA Rothschild: Sorry, Your Honor. Alright, Dr. Favvur, as an expert on Race Culture and Law, in your professional opinion should Rowe vs. Wade apply to an already laid egg?

Dr. Favvur: In my professional opinion, no. In my opinion it would apply to an unlaid egg within a gravid female, however.

ADA Rothschild: Thank you, doctor, that will be all.

Judge Holbert (turning to the Defense): Your witness, Councilors.

Councilor Seneca: Thank you, Your Honor. (turns to Dr. Favvur). Doctor Favvur, what are the Empire's laws on purposfully or negligently causing an unlaid egg in a gravid Female to be lost?

Dr. Favvur: It is still treated as Ovicide.

Councilor Seneca: So, no legal difference between an unlaid and laid egg in the Empire?

Dr. Favvur: No.

Councilor Seneca: Doctor Favvur, before Emperor... (checks notes) ...Barraal, was there any opposing view on the status of Eggs or Gravid Females?

Dr. Favvur: Well, that's hard to say distinctly as before the Fourth Emperor Barraal there were no official laws on the subject. There's little mention of the loss of pre-lay eggs in gravid females either, save in passing mention. During the reign of the Second Emperor Guurktass there was some mention of both seperately in, well, call it and Epic: The Culling of Vurnarith. If I may attempt a quote: "...and by darkest hand they did kill the Males and smash the eggs and cut the bellies of the gravid such that never more would the Vurnarith oppose the divine rule..." or something to that effect. That's about the First Emperor Ruugal cementing his rule in a rebellious province and speaks to an older and barbaric practice of what Humans might call genocide, though such practice has been absent since the reign of the Thirty-Fourth Emp...

Councilor Seneca (interrupting): So the Epic places equal measure to egg breaking and belly-cutting?

Dr. Favvur: Well, we can't really weigh the perceived severity of one over the other, or even over the killing of the Males, so no, no such conclusion can be made either way. Besides, it's a printing of a much older spoken Epic, so who knows how things changed over...

Councilor Seneca (interrupting again): What about other cultures, before the Empire?

Dr. Favuur: (opens mouth in humor) Well, that's entirely more difficult! Exasperatingly few details survive, most writings, where they existed, being destroyed by the early Emperors as heresy or treason. There's some anecdotal evidence that some practiced egg smashing as birth control, at least in terms of writers or Emperors condemning such "barbaric and heathenish" actions in enemies, but no hard facts on such.

ADA Essval: Objection, Your Honor; is this line of banter going anywhere, or is the Defense just filibustering?

Judge Holbert: Councilor?

Councilor Seneca: Just attempting to establish that cultural beliefs exist as alternatives to Imperial custom, Your Honor.

Judge Holbert: Well, get on with it, then. We won't sit here all night listening to every historical account.

Councilor Seneca: Okay, Dr. Favvur, are you versed in any new post-colonization Race cultural beliefs?

Dr. Favvur: Yes, I've studied the subject quite extensively. An overwhelming majority, and as best as I can tell effectively all of those born off Tosev, still believe in traditional views on eggs.

Councilor Seneca: And what of the minority, in particular those born on Tosev and those born outside of Imperial lands?

Dr. Favvur: Well, a small but growing minority are starting to reanalyze traditional egg beliefs, particularly the use of contraception now that ginger has upset the standard reproduction cycles.

Councilor Seneca: And egg breaking?

Dr. Favvur: There have been a few small movements, notably in California, to promote such as population control and contraception.

Councilor Seneca: And how are these movements tied in with Female Rights?

Dr. Favvur: Um, Females and Males have traditionally carried equal footing in Race culture. It's Humans that place such importance on gender. But to answer your question yes, there's a faction that's gaining ground which beleives egg breaking to be a Female's choice, particularly in California where exposure to Human Feminist culture has been high.

Councilor Seneca: And these Females, do they mention Rowe vs. Wade?

Dr. Favvur: In many cases yes, Females of the Race have even quoted the case in speeches favoring "Reproductive Rights", as they've been calling them.

Councilor Seneca: So this group of Females equates Female Rights, Rowe v. Wade, and Egg rights?

Dr, Favvur: In the case of that small group, yes.

Councilor Seneca: Thank you, doctor, that is all.

{Dun-Dun}

 

[Geekhis Khan]

Part XIV: Contempt
​

Trial Day 28. On the stand is Dr. Machugo (forensics).

ADA Essval: And the second hatchling is confirmed to have hatched in the park from an egg laid by the defendant?

Dr. Machugo: Forensic and TNA matches confirm the egg was laid by the defendant, in the park, and shows no evidence that the egg was given any special care or attention after the fact.

ADA Essval: And yet the egg hatched?

Dr. Machugo: Yes. The spot was sheltered enough to retain heat over the summer nights without overheating in the daytime.

ADA Essval: And was this spot, in your professional opinion, chosen for that purpose? To incubate the egg and allow hatching?

Dr. Machugo: In my opinion, no. The egg was merely laid in the dirt without an attempt to cover the egg. There is no evidence based on the site to give any appearance that it is a good site to lay.

ADA Essval: But in this case it was.

Dr. Machugo: Yes. By chance, in my professional opinion.

ADA Essval: What of the other eggs TNA matched to the defendant?

Dr. Machugo: Fragments of the one leading to the hatching of the older hatchling on the west end were found in a pile of rubbish, by chance near a heat grate.

ADA Essval: And were any others found?

Dr. Machugo: Yes. We have since uncovered four other eggs TNA-matched to the defendant in other sites around the park and alleyways. None of the others showed any more or less attempt at care than the two which hatched. None of these four survived. Rats got two, heat got a third, and the fourth was crushed when the dumpster it was laid behind was dropped onto it, presumably after a garbage truck lifted and replaced the dumpster.

Pan to jury. All look uncomfortable, many angry. One Race Female is clenching her claws reflexively, one turret on the defendant.

ADA Essval: Six eggs, none in your opinion given any attempt at formal protection, none visited after the fact save by predators and rodents, four destroyed by the ordeal, two, by luck in your professional forensic opinion, hatched by happenstance. One of these hatchlings was then quickly killed. Dr. Machugo, could you describe what killed the Central Park hatchling?

Dr. Machugo: It was a clear case of injury sustained by dog attack. The offending dog, a stray since captured by Animal Control, tested, and put down, attacked and killed the hatchling mere days after hatching.

ADA Essval: Your Honor, the City of New York would like to submit Exhibit D, the forensic photos of the egg sites and the second hatchling's post-mortem.

Councilor Aldiss: Your honor, may we approach the bench?

Judge Holbert: Yes, you may.

All councilors, prosecution and defense, approach the bench, as does the court recorder.

Councilor Aldiss: Your Honor, the images the prosecution wishes to show are unnecessarily gory and biasing to the jury, as we maintained pre-trial.

ADA Essval: Yes, and that objection was overruled then. This is a manslaughter case...forensic photos are perfectly justified evidence of the nature and severity of the crime.

Judge Holbert: She's right, councilor.

Councilor Aldiss: But Your Honor, it's obvious that the prosecution merely added the manslaughter charges to improve their bargaining position, and I suspect to allow the photos in as evidence! *Emphatic Cough*

Judge Holbert: Well, Ms. Aldiss, that's the way the system works. Your client is always permitted the right to cross-examine...or to plea. In fact, it was your client that insisted on trial.

Councilor Seneca: Your Honor, our client, and ourselves, continue to feel that our client's actions are neither technically illegal nor ethically questionable when awarded the same rights as a Human Female, and that this trial is a witch hunt.

Judge Holbert: And so you have maintained, councilor. But the city has begun the prosecution under existing statutes, I have seen nothing to refute their legal correctness, and therefore I maintain that the trial is legitimate. Otherwise, I would have thrown the case out - I have no more desire to spend any more time in this courtroom than anyone else. Whether your client's actions are or are not legally improper is for the jury to decide. The photos are still in.

Councilor Seneca: But Your Honor!

Judge Holbert: No "buts", councilor. (aloud to the court) The court accepts City's Exhibit D.

Pan to jury as the photos are passed through. Looks of shock and revulsion. The claw-curling Female now hisses lowly at the images, her head-scales raising aggressively.

Pan to the defendant Rassgur, who is scratching her skin nervously, turrets twitching. Zoom in to where she reaches nonchalantly into a hip pouch and withdraws a closed fist. Eye turrets scanning about nervously, she brings the fist to her mouth. Her tongue darts to the fist, into the palm. She slides back and hisses with relief.

Moments later, the Males of the room, to jurors included, hiss. Their crest scales lift. Rassgur walks out into the court, blissfully empty in her actions, and begins to assume a mating position. A gasp of shock goes through the courtroom.

Judge Holbert (standing up, pounding the gavel): Order! Order! For the love of God, Order!

Chaos breaks out in the courtroom as the Bailiffs rush to hold back the Males, who are beginning to hiss and take aggressive stances towards one another. Councilor Aldiss hisses. Councilor Seneca rushes to pull back her client. ADA Rothschild puts her head into her hands.

{Cut Scene}


Judge's chambers. Defendent and all councilors present. Rassgur is in constraints, a Bailiff standing over her shoulder.

Judge Holbert (red faced with rage): This is an outrage! Drug use...in my courtroom?! A damned mating frenzy?! What were you thinking?

Rassgur: I...I needed...had to have...

Judge Holbert: What, drugs? A distraction? Or did you hope that by mating with a juror you'd gain a mistrial? In addition to the contempt charges you're now facing, I'm adding assault charges for injuries sustained by the Bailiffs, who now require stitches, while breaking up the fight! Thank the Lord they prevented the mating! Thank Him even more I'd refused any cameras! In addition to the $15,000 fine, I'm remanding the defendant to custody for the remainder of the trial. I'm ordering ginger-sniffing beffels to check everyone who enters the courtroom.

Councilor Seneca: Your Honor! Our client has already paid bail and...

Judge Holbert: You can stop right there, councilor. Your client waved any such rights the second she turned my courtroom into a circus! More to the point, I'm citing both of you for allowing this to happen! Your client was by my orders clean when she left custody, which means she's getting her drugs from somewhere. Either you failed in your duties to your client by allowing her access, or you had a more direct hand. (silences an attempt by Councilor Seneca to talk with a hand gesture) Either way, you're both on notice. And believe me, there will be an investigation. Get the hell out of my chambers!

{Dun-Dun}