“You were doing manual labor?” Judge Donahue asked, genuine surprise coloring his tone. “I wouldn’t have expected that from you, Mr. Roma.”

He paused, barely containing his amusement as if enjoying a private joke. “You know me, Your Honor - I’m a jack of all master of none… ill kick in a carpet, mow a lawn.. displace a psoas..” He trailed off, glancing away with exaggerated innocence before adding under his breath, “…lay some pipe…” The words hung in the air as his shoulders shook slightly with suppressed laughter, refusing to make eye contact with anyone as his private joke landed exactly as intended.

The awkward silence that followed was broken only by poorly concealed coughs from the gallery. Judge Donahue’s expression cycled through confusion, realization, and carefully maintained judicial neutrality, while Roma stood there radiating satisfaction, clearly enjoying the effect of his deliberately provocative assemblage.