act21side

I've located a potential witness and am trying to convince him to testify.

But, Judge Angelo declared that case closed as of this afternoon.

He said... He said that family just moved to another city. Then, he added that we still have too many things to do, and shouldn't waste our time and energy on cases like this.

Unless I am misremembering, <i>I</i> am the judge presiding over this case.

The court made the decision internally yesterday. You weren't present for the meeting.

Is that so...?

I get it.

Right, this case is <i>certainly</i> not worth the time and energy. It's <i>only</i> five people after all.

The husband drives a taxi around the city. The wife picks tomatoes on a farm. They have three children, the oldest only thirteen years of age, the youngest still breastfeeding.

The neighbors were reluctant to say anything, and no matter who I asked, they all said that life must move on.

There was no screaming in the night, no crying by the lake, and no traces of blood left on their squeaky-clean floorboards.

Alright then. Life must move on, and they had it coming for crossing a famiglia. Or maybe their luck was so rotten they didn't even notice they were being targeted.

After all, the famiglie always say they would <i>never</i> attack ordinary civilians.

And as for us judges, there are always more important things to attend to, right?

Your Honor, I've always had the greatest respect for you.

To be honest, I have no idea what an ideal judge is supposed to look like.

Even though the Signora modeled our courts after Laterano's, and codified our laws after Columbia's...

None of us have ever seen a real one of Sankta's wandering judges, and Columbia's Code of Law is but an excerpt from a book.

What I would rather believe is that an ideal judge should be someone as determined to uphold justice as you are.

But not everyone has your talents, or your connections with Famiglia Bellone. You don't have to constantly fear for your life.

No, I just—

You can casually grab a light meal with the son of the Don.

And earlier this morning, Judge Angelo received a letter sealed in a black envelope.

...Which famiglia is behind this case?

Does it make a difference, as far as we're concerned?

Do you still remember last month how Judge Starocci was dragged by his 'friends' to 'chat' in a car for an entire afternoon? He hasn't been able to lift his right hand since.

Then there's Judge Borriello... That chubby, always-jovial old lady. How long has it been since she came to work?

You're right, in theory we're supposed to represent that woman's will. But what is that even supposed to be? At least, I can't figure it out.

Courage and persistence are great things to have, of course, but Judge Lavinia, please do not laugh at the wet clothes of us folks who stand beneath the eaves.

After all, you have nothing to lose.

Is that so...?

Perhaps the price I pay... is the right to truly be just.

Oh, the phones here don't ring very often. They usually prefer to come settle things privately.

Or should I say, they look to settle things with us privately.

Hello.

Got it. I'll be there right away.

Your Honor, you know you don't have to take everything so seriously.

I know.

Should I bring back some macaroni for supper? We're going to a restaurant with pretty good reviews.

...Appreciate it.