“But the legal framework,” Juniper protested, “the torts section alone-”

The sudden scraping of chairs interrupted her as Judge Donahue emerged from his chambers. The entire room surged to attention, all exhaustion forgotten in the electric moment of anticipation…

The sudden entrance of Judge Donahue shattered the drowsy afternoon quiet. Bodies jolted upright across the gallery, limbs tangling as observers scrambled to regain their dignity. The family in the back hastily gathered scattered crayons while reporters’ tabs lit up in a cascade of electronic signals.