Harold Peterson waited patiently for his client, Jake, to finish his tirade. Jake Bloom huffed and puffed in his smart business suit- his face, suffused with rage.
“But Jake,” Harold tried to soothe, “the charges of assault against you are quite compelling.”
“Bollocks!” seethed Jake. ” I was defending myself! What the hell do I pay you for, Harry? Do I have to think for you as well as for myself?”
“Lower your voice!” countered Harold. His patience, thinning.
“Let me lay out some facts the prosecution might just want to bring to the court’s attention. Apart from this current mess your’e in, you’re in arrears with your child support payments, as well as your taxes. And yet you maintain that none of these are your fault. We need to get a handle on this, Jake!”
Jake snarled, “Self defence, the bitch has her own cash, and the tax man is a complete idiot- are those good enough answers for you?” Harold groaned.
Minutes later, a disgruntled Jake and a hapless Harold took their seats in court.
Harold’s despondency was compounded by his client pleading ‘not guilty’- in direct contradiction to legal advice. He gamely put forward as best a case of self -defence as he could muster but his hopes plummeted further when the prosecution produced video evidence clearly showing Jake giving his business partners a sound beating outside the restaurant.
Jake had to be restrained by Harold as he was found guilty with the judge pronouncing an 8-month sentence for assault.
He erupted in a volley of expletives directed at everyone- causing two bailiffs to charge at him.
“I’m suing all of you!” he screamed. And to Harold, “You’re fired!” as he was dragged away.
Harold watched Jake’s retreating back and sighed. Never had he been more pleased to be dismissed.
Now, for that lunch with his lovely wife.
THE END
©Vivian Zems
305 words of fiction for Magaly at Poets United based on my poem “Victims”
March 3, 2019 at 8:01 pm
I enjoyed your write.
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March 3, 2019 at 9:46 pm
Thanks Annell
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March 3, 2019 at 8:08 pm
You know what’s the thing that gets me about this story, that 10 or 15 years ago, I would’ve probably being certain that it was fiction. I mean, who would speak like that or say those things to people who are supposed to be helping?
Jake is a real winner… NOT! I’m right with Harold, after that little number, a good meal (and no Jake ever again) sounds ridiculously good.
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March 3, 2019 at 9:46 pm
Lol! Absolutely.
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March 3, 2019 at 8:14 pm
Ha… some people are just too stupid… and pleading guilty for something less could be a good idea..But I hope that 8 months later Harold look behind his back…
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March 3, 2019 at 9:46 pm
Lol!
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March 3, 2019 at 10:07 pm
Hot damn! ❤️ This is so well written I could literally picture him as he “erupted in a volley of expletives directed at everyone- causing two bailiffs to charge at him.” Some people would go to any length to pass on the blame to someone else. You rocked the prompt! ❤️
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March 3, 2019 at 10:29 pm
Thanks Sanaa!
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March 3, 2019 at 10:57 pm
Oh, nice twist in the tail! 🙂
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March 3, 2019 at 11:32 pm
🙂 Thank you!
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March 3, 2019 at 11:13 pm
LOL, like Magaly I also thought creeps like Jake are all too real . Harold has earned a nice lunch and a few celebratory drinks for never having to deal with him again.
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March 3, 2019 at 11:31 pm
Absolutely!
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March 3, 2019 at 11:21 pm
I can understand why Harold would be glad to have been fired by Jake, as he doesn’t seem to listen to him anyway. No lawyer would be happy to / have to listen to such a verbal tirade from one’s client! I am sure he and his wife had a relaxing dinner after the guilty verdict!!! At last he could breathe a sigh of relief that he was done with that man.
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March 3, 2019 at 11:31 pm
Amen to that ! 🙂
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March 4, 2019 at 12:29 am
A strong character study …. Powerful read.
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March 6, 2019 at 7:42 am
Thanks Susan 🙂
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March 4, 2019 at 1:25 am
Lovely to be fired by that critter! Such a good character study. A very enjoyable read, Vivian.
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March 6, 2019 at 7:42 am
Thanks, Sherry!
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March 4, 2019 at 2:47 am
You’re fired – was the best outcome of the day! Freedom found in an unexpected way.
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March 6, 2019 at 7:41 am
Absolutely! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
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March 4, 2019 at 4:47 am
Oh dear, Jake is a volcano. I’ll wait. Want to know what happens after eight months 🙂
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March 6, 2019 at 7:41 am
Me too…lol!
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March 5, 2019 at 3:29 am
This was a great piece and the sense of the characters is visceral –Jake is a pistol!
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March 5, 2019 at 1:51 pm
Thank you for reading 👍🏽
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March 5, 2019 at 5:49 am
Oh, how lovely to embrace your firing when it comes from such a despicable character. Great Write!
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March 5, 2019 at 1:31 pm
Thanks Susie😊
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March 5, 2019 at 7:36 pm
Some great and true to life characters in this Vivian! Kept me going and I love the end. Wonderful writing!!
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March 6, 2019 at 7:36 am
Thanks Carrie!
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March 5, 2019 at 10:32 pm
That ending made me laugh! 🙂 Much empathy for Harold.
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March 6, 2019 at 7:35 am
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed reading it 🙂
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March 6, 2019 at 9:21 pm
Well done, Vivian. Isn’t it funny how the more the bluster, the more we’re sure they’re guilty!
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March 7, 2019 at 1:58 pm
I know, right?😂
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