“Objection! He’s… he’s…” Kristal is flustered.

The judge glares at her. “Please continue, Prosecutor.”

“I’d like to reiterate that fact that Ms. Davies is a college dropout who majored in music. Her minor was fine arts. To me, two years of music isn’t qualification for being a high school gym teacher. Ms. Davies, do you know why King hired you?”

What kind of question is that? This guy was really starting to get on my nerves.

“Probably because I impressed them at my interview, although I don’t know why I bother answering. I already know you have a reason why, so why don’t you just enlighten us?” she replies sarcastically.

“Thank you for your permission. I believe that King High was so understaffed that they were willing to hire just about anyone who even partially met their criteria for being a teacher. I have reports here of the teacher to student ratio, the rate of layoffs, and the pay decrease; pay for after school volunteers was completely eliminated, also. The figures back me up and so does the logic. I believe it’s safe to say that no background checks were done on any of the incoming teachers.”

“Your point?”

 “My point is this: If King High would have properly checked Ashley Davies’ background, they would have never hired her.”

He waits for his words to sink in before turning to the judge. “I have no further questions for this witness, your honor, but I would like to call another to the stand.”

“Very well.”

“The prosecution calls Vance McLaughlin to the stand.”

Vance proceeds slowly, as if walking to the electric chair.

“State your name and occupation.”

“You just said my name,” he says, challenging him.

“State it for the court record.”

“What if I don’t want to? Why can’t you just—“

“State. Your. Name.”

“VanceMcLaughlinI’mastudent,” he speedily says.

Avery Scott glares at him, demanding, “Where were you on the night of April 25, 2009?”

Vance looks confused. “Dude. Today’s only the twelfth of March…?”

He grunts. “Just checking. Now, is it true that your work at a drive in movie?”

“Yes.”