“Will the defendant please rise?” Jake stood, manically rubbing his hands, his wrists cuffed together. He smiled awkwardly and waved to them as the jury filed into the courtroom. “Helloooooo! Welcommmmmme back! Where you go?” He shouted, bobbing his head up and down, then humming the theme to Spiderman. They didn’t look at him. “Have you reached a verdict?” The judge asked. “Yes, your honor,” the jury’s Forman responded. “We, the jury, find Jake Fickle, innocent of all changes.” There was an audible gasp throughout the courtroom, people ran from the room, others chattered loudly, and the prosecuting attorney slammed his fist onto his table.

BANG! BANG! “QUIET!” Judge Harold Mitterwald bellowed while pounding his gavel. “Mr. Fickle, a jury of your peers has found you innocent. You are free to go. But before you go I have to say, You’re the smartest kind of stupid that I have ever witnessed! Court adjourned.”

Jake, wearing his favorite Donald Duck baseball hat, and Iron Man backpack left the courthouse where a sea of people awaited him. The crowd held signs: “RICH LITTLE DADDY’S BOY IS GUILTY!”, “LOCK UP THE SPOILED BRAT!”, “MONEY CAN’T BY YOUR FREEDOM!” They chanted that he should be put away for a long time. Other people were hugging and crying, rejoicing that he was free.

Diane Davidson, from Channel 3 News approached him, “Jake, what a tough couple of weeks. How are you, now that the trial is over?” Jake stammered, “Umm, I …. I…. I…. I had a weally g-g-good time wif all da nice police mans. Dey, dey were very nice. I…. I…. I had puddin’ every day. Can, umm, c-c-c-can I go home? Daddy? Where’s my Daddy? Take Jakey home, PLEASE!” He got louder and louder as he searched for his father.

“BACK AWAY!” A voice boomed. Senator William Fickle strode through the mob. “Please, leave my son alone, and let him go in peace. This has been a harrowing experience. Justice has been served, now please, let us be.” A black stretch limo waited at the curb. The throng of people parted as the Senator led Jake to the limo. As it slowly pulled away, Jake lowered his window. In one hand he held a bag of Twizzlers, and with his other hand he gave everybody a big thumbs up, and then yelled, “Bye, Bye! Tank you!” And then the window closed.

Inside the limo Jake removed his hat and rummaged through his backpack. He checked his wallet to make sure all of his credit cards, cash and condoms were still there. He put on his Rolex and found his iPhone. “Hey Siri, call Jessica.” After a few rings, Jessica answered. “Hey Jess! ……. Yes, worked like a charm. ….. Great! See you tonight. Will everybody be there? ….. Awesome! Can’t wait! I need a stiff drink! Oh, one more thing. Can you throw out all of the pudding in our refrigerator? I can’t stomach that stuff anymore.”