Group X:
“Get the Vote”
(Front cover. We see the members of Group X outside
the Fort Worth City Hall, protesting. They carry signs that have slogans like
“Let us vote!” and “Denial of rights to one is denial of rights to all!” with
them are several other people, all protesting the denial of rights.)
Cap (N):
Fighting for what is right!
(Page 1, panel 1. Group X headquarters,
Cap (N1):
Cap (N2): And today is election day.
Cap (N3): But what will happen here will spark a new debate over
again...
Lotus: Well, let’s do it.
Bakerman: It’ll be interesting. I’ve never voted before. I wonder: how
is it?
(Panel 2. They go out of the place.)
Lotus: It’s
easy, Chris.
(Panel 3. We see them go to the teleporters.)
Lotus:
Computer, set coordinates for the Will Rogers auditorium.
(Panel 4. They teleport out.)
Cap (N1):
Simple, routine, right?
Cap (N2): Wrong.
Cap (N3): (Then again, it wouldn’t be much of a plot if it was simple,
right?)
(Page 2, panel 1. Will
Cap (N1):
Will Rogers Complex.
Cap (N2): Here is the place where Group X should go to vote.
Cap (N3): However, voting is not easy, if you’re a mutant...
(Panel 2. In an alcove we see the members of Group X
teleport in.)
Lotus: Here
we are.
(Panel 3. With voter cards in hand, they go into the
place.)
Cap (N1): So
far, so good.
Cap (N2): That’s about to change.
(Panel 4. Group X sees no line leading to the counter.
They line up according to last name.)
Lotus: We’re
here to vote.
(Page 3, panel 1. The election officials look at
them.)
Official:
Name.
Lotus: Lecita Jones.
(Panel 2. Lotus gives the official her card. The
official looks the card over.)
Official:
Step over and take the literacy test.
Lotus: Literacy test?
(Panel 3. The official points to a small desk,
designed for a small child.)
Official:
Take the test.
(Panel 4. Lotus goes over to the place, and looks the
test over.)
Lotus: Well,
this is interesting...
Official: No talking while taking the test.
(Panel 5. Lotus sits down awkwardly in the chair. and
takes out a pen.)
Cap (N1):
But a first in a series of trials for our heroes.
Cap (N2): The reason is simple.
Cap (N3): They don’t want mutants voting.
(Page 4, panel 1. Lotus turns to Mindpath.)
Psi balloon
(Pointing to Mindpath): Already on it, Lecita. I’m getting the answers to it
now. Man, those questions are complex.
(Panel 2. Bakerman steps up to the official.)
Official:
Name.
Bakerman: Christopher Madhak.
(Panel 3. Bakerman gives the official his card.)
Official:
Step over to the sanity test.
Cap (B1): Is it to test whether I am sane,
Cap (B2): or how long it will take before I go insane?
(Panel 4. A normal human woman enters. She is an
African-American woman wearing a nice dress.)
Official: Let
the lady through.
Degree: Excuse me, but we were here first.
(Panel 5.The official ignores Bakerman and goes to the
normal human woman.)
Official:
Yes, may I help you?
Woman: They were here first.
(Page 5, panel 1. The official puts it plainly to the
woman.)
Official: They’re
mutants. They don’t have rights. You, however, do.
All but official and woman: EXCUSE ME!?!?
(Panel 2. Lotus stands up and approaches the official.
Lotus:
(angered, but not showing it.) We pay our taxes like any other citizens of this
country. We have studied up on the candidates so that we could make a
well-informed decision. Denying us the right to vote is going to cost you your
job!
Official: Lady, I don’t make the rules. I just have to follow them. The
rules state that we’ve got to do everything to turn you mutants away from
voting, and if necessary, deny you the right to vote. Normal human beings do
not have that restriction.
Bakerman: So you come with stupid literacy tests, candidate knowledge
requirements, sanity tests and other things to deny us the right to vote, hmm?
Well, I’ve got news for you. This is being recorded and we will sell this to
several television stations.
(Panel 3. The official talks into a walkie-talkie.)
Official:
Code red.
(Panel 4. Enter about 15 or so policemen, who jump on
the members of Group X. Lotus shifts into her spirit form.)
Lotus: What
is so wrong with us wanting to vote!? We are citizens of this country just like
any of you!
Policeman: You are under arrest.
(Page 6, panel 1. We see the police handcuff the
members of Group X, except for Lotus.)
Lotus: This
is 1999, not 1949! As a registered voter, I should be allowed to vote!
Policeman: Turn solid, mutant.
(Panel 2. Lotus runs off.)
Lotus:
Normally I would comply with the law, but this time I have to say no.
Cap (N): Her guidance said don’t go with them.
(Panel 3. Lotus turns solid in an alcove.)
Lotus:
Computer, teleport me now.
(Panel 4. Lotus disappears in a flash of light as the
police close in.)
Cap (N1):
She managed to get away.
Cap (N2): But she runs only to plan an attack...
(Page 7, panel 1. Group X headquarters. Lotus
teleports into the teleportation room.)
Cap (L1):
They’re bound to come here.
Cap (L2): I’ve got to act quickly.
(Panel 2. Lotus rushes off. Panel 3. We see her enter
the plane.)
Lotus:
Computer, full stealth mode.
Computer: Activation of stealth mode prohibits take-off.
(Panel 3. Lotus enters the cockpit.)
Lotus:
Alright, take off, then activate full stealth mode.
(Panel 4. Lotus faces the computer console.)
Lotus: Now,
establish a link to Avengers headquarters.
(Page 8, panel 1. A
Cap (N1):
Cap (N2): Her name is Jennifer Walters.
Cap (N3): But if you’re on the wrong side of the law,
Cap (N4): Call her the She-Hulk.
Foreman: We have reached a verdict, your honor.
(Panel 2. The bailiff hands a piece of paper to the
judge.)
Judge: Let’s
have the verdict. Will the defendant please rise.
(Panel 3. The judge reads the paper. As the Tinker
stands.)
Judge: (1)
We the jury find the defendant, Phineas Mason, guilty of providing technical
equipment to known criminals.
Judge: (2): I concur with the jury. Sentencing will begin tomorrow at
10:00 a.m.
(Panel 4. The judge bangs the gavel, and stands.)
SFX:Bang!
Bailiff: All rise...
(Panel 5. All stand as the judge exits.)
Louise: Well
, you’ve done it again, Jen.
She-Hulk: Was there any doubt? Come on, let’s go celebrate.
(Page 9, panel 1. She-Hulk’s Avengers card beeps.)
SFX: Beep!
Beep!
She-Hulk: My Avengers card...
(Panel 2. She-Hulk holds up her Avengers card. Jarvis
is on the screen.)
Jarvis (from
the card): Ms. She-Hulk, there is a communication from a Lotus in
She-Hulk: Patch it through, Jarvis.
(Panel 3. The screen now shows Lotus there.)
Lotus: Jen!
Thank God I got you!
She-Hulk: What’s up, Lecita?
(Panel 4. They continue to talk.)
Lotus: The
rest of the team was arrested for trying to vote! Here it seems that mutants
are not allowed to vote at all! They put up some confusing literacy
test, and had several other tests ready for us in case we passed that. We need
a great lawyer to get everyone out of the jam they are in!
She-Hulk:
Say no more, Lecita. We’ll be there.
(Panel 5. Lotus continues to talk.)
Lotus: Pack
yourself a bag, Jen. I’m coming over now with the plane.
(Page 10, panel 1. Go back to Group X headquarters. We see Sonnos there, coming
into the briefing room.)
Sonnos: (1)
¿Donde está todos?
Sonnos: (2) Computer, locate the other members of Group X.
(Panel 2. The computer works.)
Computer:
Lotus is in the airplane, which is over
Sonnos: Did I hear that right? They’re in jail?
(Panel 3. The computer responds.)
Computer:
Affirmative.
Sonnos:
(Panel 4. The computer responds.)
Computer:
The police arrested them for trying to vote.
Sonnos: That’s not right.
(Page 11, panel 1. Sonnos talks to the computer
again.)
Sonnos: Computer,
rebroadcast the video taken of their attempt to vote.
(Panel 2. Sonnos sees the scene of the policemen
taking Group X down.)
Sonnos:
Computer, make several copies and send them to the local television stations.
Cap (N1): Little does Sonnos know,
Cap (N2): That little command will have reverberations throughout the
world.
(Panel 3. X-Men headquarters, in the War room. We see
Professor X, wearing a suit and tie, and in his Shi’Ar wheelchair, talking to
Lotus on the viewscreen.)
Lotus: We’re
up to our necks in trouble, Professor. However, I have hired the services of a
lawyer to help us out.
Xavier: Be very careful, Lecita... we are treading on very dangerous
ground here.
(Panel 4. Lotus is serious.)
Lotus: I
know, Professor... however, when the rules are wrong, it’s time to change
them... or make them change.
(Page 12, panel 1. A news broadcast. We see the
anchor, a face man with brown hair and blue eyes wear a business suit and tie.
Next to him is a buxom blonde woman in a business dress.)
Cap (N1):
That night, on the 5:00 news...
Cap (N2): It’s about to break...
Anchor: In
other news, the
(Panel 2. The anchor is handed a note.)
Anchor: This
just in: earlier today in
(Panel 3. Tarrant county jail. We see Diving Owl,
Bakerman, and Mindpath in a holding cell near each other. Everyone is dressed
in prison orange.)
Cap (N1):
Meanwhile...
Voice (from off panel): Well, looks like the mighty have fallen...
(Panel 4. They turn to see Vomit Retchquist and
Acidwash there.)
Vomit: If
this isn’t a kick in the pants... so what did they arrest you for?
Bakerman: Being a patriotic citizen and doing our civic duty.
(Panel 5. Acidwash shakes his head.)
Acidwash:
They’ll never change.... if they can deny a person’s rights, they will. You’d
best give up your quixotic quest...
(Page 13, panel 1. Bakerman is serious.)
Mindpath:
We’ll see this through, Van... because, oddly enough, we’re fighting for your
rights too.
(Panel 2. Go over to see Starshot, Quan, and Odora
sitting in a holding cell.)
Cap (N):
Meanwhile...
Quan: But what if Lecita cannot get us out?
Starshot: She’ll get us out, alright... it’s only a matter of time
before we can post bail.
(Panel 3. Go back to the She-Hulk. We see her with a
trunk in her arms, in the Group X plane. Lotus is there with her.)
Cap (N):
Shortly thereafter, back with the She-Hulk and Lotus...
She-Hulk: Just how do you keep getting into these messes, Lecita?
Lotus: Bad luck, I guess... but there’s always a reason for everything.
(Panel 4. Lotus is serious.)
Lotus: We’ve
opened a can of worms that can have worldwide ramifications, Jen... This is
history in the making.
She-Hulk: No matter what happens, I’m going to do what’s right.
(Page 14, panel 1. Go to see several mutants in a bar,
watching the tape of Group X being beaten by the police.)
Mutant I:
Man, imagine what would have happened to us if we voted...
Mutant II: Typical. They run roughshod over our rights... as usual. But
someday, things will change...
(Panel 2. Tarrant county jail. We see Starshot, Quan,
and Odora sitting next to each other. They too are in prison orange.)
Quan: What
could we have done to prevent this?
Starshot: There’s something going on here that reaches far beyond us,
Quan... it’s something that is global in nature.
(Panel 3. They turn to see Smoke, Haloid, and Chainsaw there.)
Smoke:
Well... looks like it’s our lucky day here...
Starshot: What do ye want, Sellena?
(Panel 4. The Army ladies advance on the Group X
ladies.)
Chainsaw:
Oh, not much O’Banion... just your heads on a plate.
(Panel 5. The Group X ladies stand.)
Starshot:
Yer in trouble enough, Cheryl. Ye donna need t’start a fight now.
Haloid: Maybe not... but we’ve got you at an advantage.
(Page 15, panel 1. Odora gasses Haloid, causing her to
pull back, and cough.)
Odora:
That’s enough of that, lassie. Ye donna need ta fight now.
Haloid: *COUGH!*
(Panel 2. Smoke attends to Haloid as Chainsaw brandishes
her chainsaws at Odora.)
Chainsaw:
Don’t think this is over, McDevin.
(Panel 3. The Army ladies back away.)
Quan: That
was close.
Guard: No fighting in there!
(Panel 4. Starshot rolls her eyes.)
Starshot :
Well, better late than never ...
(Page 16, panel 1. We see Lotus arrive at the
Cap (N1):
The next day...
Cap (N2): Lotus surrenders to the authorities.
Lotus: I have come to surrender myself.
(Panel 2. About 10 or so policemen grab her, and
fondle her.)
SFX: Grab!
Grope!
Lotus: Hey! Watch those hands, mister! I am a married woman!
(Panel 3. They push her against a wall, and pull her
arms back.)
SFX:SLAM!!
Lotus: OW!
Policeman: Shut up!
(Panel 4. They slam her against the wall again.)
SFX: SLAM!!
Lotus: Hey! What about -
(Panel 5. They slam her against the wall once more.)
SFX: SLAM!!
Lotus: At
least read me my rights!
(Panel 6. Handcuffing her, they lead her off.)
Policeman: You
have the right to remain silent, anything you say will be written down and can
be used against you in a court of law...
She-Hulk: My... this treatment is appalling.
(Page 17, panel 1. The trial. We see the members of
Group X enter, wearing prison orange with the words “Tarrant County Jail” on
their fronts and backs. The She-Hulk and Miguel Perez, her assistant on this
trial, flank them. He wears a suit and tie; she wears a black woman’s business
dress.)
Cap (N1):
Six months later.
Cap (N2): The man with the She-Hulk is local civil rights champion
Miguel Perez.
Cap (N3): Together they have prepared for this trial.
Cap (N4): Bail was denied.
Cap (N5): Naturally, everyone feels that Group X will be railroaded.
(Panel 2. Enter the judge, a middle aged white male.
He wears a judge’s robe. Everyone stands.)
Bailiff: All
rise. Hear ye, hear ye, Criminal court part VI is now in session. The honorable
judge Byron Rothchild presiding.
(Panel 3. The judge sits.)
Judge: Be
seated.
(Panel 4. The judge faces the court.)
Judge: I
will now render my final decisions as to the admissibility of evidence in this
trial. I rule that the videotapes made of Group X being beaten by Fort Worth
Officers is inadmissible to court. I also rule that the tape of Ms. Jones’
surrender is also inadmissible. The court rules that these videotapes are
somewhat distorted and therefore inadmissible.
She-Hulk: (Shocked) You can’t be serious...
(Panel 5. The judge is solemn.)
Judge: This
is a court of law, Ms. Walters. Now, let’s have opening arguments.
(Panel 6. Brock Martinson, the D.A., stands.)
Martinson:
Brock Martinson for the people, your honor. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,
what we have here is a bunch of mutants that just won’t obey the law. They
think they’re above the law, keeping themselves away from the confines of
justice. They stand accused today of four counts: Interfering with an election,
harassment of a public official, resisting arrest, and in the case of Ms.
Jones, evading arrest. The evidence will clearly show that they are guilty.
(Page 18, panel 1. We see the election official from
earlier take the stand.)
Cap (N1):
After swearing in...
Martinson: Mr. Thompkins, describe in your own words what happened.
Thompkins (official): Well, The defendants attempted to vote, so I put
them through the usual trials, the literacy test, and the sanity test. They
protested violently, and I had to call the guards in to stop them.
Bakerman: You’re lying!!
(Panel 2. The judge bangs his gavel.)
Judge:
Order! I will not have my courtroom turned into a three-ring circus! Now, Mr.
Madhak, that outburst will cost you $50.00. Proceed.
Thompkins: Well, there was another woman there, who was caught in the
melee that ensued. It took about 15 or so policemen to subdue them.
Martinson:
Your witness.
(Panel 3. Martinson sits as the She-Hulk stands.)
She-Hulk:
Mr. Thompkins, do normal human beings have to undergo these literacy tests,
sanity tests, and other tests?
Thompkins: I don’t see how that’s relevant to the case.
Judge: I have to agree with him, Ms. Walters. Continue.
(Panel 4. She-Hulk is somewhat daunted.)
She-Hulk: Is
it not true that these so-called tests are designed to exclude mutants from
voting?
Thompkins: If they fail, they don’t vote.
(Panel 5. She-Hulk continues her questions.)
She-Hulk:
You claim that they attacked first, correct? Is it not true that you called the
police on them?
Thompkins: No, it’s not true.
(Panel 6. She-Hulk backs off.)
She-Hulk: No
further questions.
Judge: You may step down.
(Page 19, panel 1. We now see Bakerman on the stand.)
Cap (N1):
Several days later.
Cap (N2): The police agreed with Thompkins.
Cap (N3): And the prosecution rested.
Cap (N4): Now, it’s the defense’s turn.
Bakerman: My name is Christopher Martin Madhak. I was born in
She-Hulk: Mr. Madhak, tell us what happened that day in your own words.
(Panel 2. Bakerman continues.)
Bakerman: We
had formed a line to vote, and Ms. Jones was first. She was asked to take a literacy
test. The desk they had was designed for a 7-year-old. Well, I was next, and I
was asked to take a sanity test. Frankly, I think that test was designed to
drive me out of my mind rather than to test if I was sane.
Martinson: Move to strike, your honor. Mr. Madhak is not qualified to
make such judgements.
Judge: That motion is granted. Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, you
will ignore everything said after the words: “I was asked to take a sanity
test.”
She-Hulk: Well, what happened with the other woman entered?
(Panel 3. Bakerman is serious.)
Bakerman:
(1) The official brushed aside my fellow defendants. When we protested, Mr.
Thompkins pulled out a walkie-talkie and said “Code red” Next thing I know one
Bakerman: (2) We never wanted trouble. All we wanted to do was our civic
duty.
(Panel 4. She-Hulk backs down.)
She-Hulk:
Your witness.
Martinson: So you admit to going out to vote that day, correct
Bakerman: Yes, is there anything wrong with that?
(Panel 5. Martinson continues.)
Martinson:
And then when they asked you to take the test, you and your fellow defendants
got angry and attacked Mr. Thompkins?
Bakerman: No we did not. If that was true, why was he found with no
injuries? Believe me, if we really wanted to hurt him, he would be dead. But we
don’t hurt others unless we have to.
(Panel 6. Martinson continues.)
Martinson:
(1)Isn’t it true that you and your fellow defendants caused several injuries to
Mr. Thompkins and several members of the
Bakerman: No, it’s not true. Frankly, I think you should put yourself in
my shoes. How would you like to be railroaded by an uncaring, corrupt system?
Martinson: (2) How would you feel getting beaten on by a gang of mutant
thugs? No Further questions.
(Page 20, panel 1. The She-Hulk approaches the stand.)
She-Hulk: I
realize that this may be unorthodox, your honor, but I am a good witness as to
the character of one of the defendants.
Judge: Very well, Ms. Walters, proceed.
Cap (Judge): Not that it matters much...
(Panel 2. The She-Hulk takes the stand.)
Cap (N1):
After swearing in...
She-Hulk: My
colleague Mr. Perez will administer the questions.
(Panel 3. The questions begin.)
Perez: Ms.
Walters, when did you first meet the defendant Ms. Jones?
She-Hulk: I first met her about 15 years ago, when we were still in high
school. I had a class with her.
(Panel 4. The questions continue.)
Perez: And
have you known her for most of that time?
She-Hulk: Yes. We lost contact with each other for about 4 years, but
we’ve remet each other and we’re still friends.
(Panel 5. More questioning.)
Perez: And
in that time, have you ever known Ms. Jones to be of questionable moral
character?
She-Hulk: No. In fact, I’ve seen her go out of her way to be moral. Let
me give you an example:
(Panel 6. She-Hulk continues to talk.)
She-Hulk:
There was a time when we had found a full, unopened bottle of whiskey near our
school. Some of our friends wanted to try it, but she had them turn it into the
office.
Perez: So she doesn’t engage in drinking?
(Page 21, panel 1. She-Hulk thinks.)
She-Hulk:
I’ve never seen her drink before. In fact, I never seen her smoke or even get
out of control. And frankly, I couldn’t see her doing any of that. I know she’s
deeply committed to her husband.
(Panel 2. Perez finishes his questions.)
Perez: One
last question. You were there when Ms. Jones surrendered to the police.
Describe in your own words what happened.
She-Hulk: She was immediately grabbed, fondled in several private
places, slammed against a wall three times, and then handcuffed. Only after
that did they do the Miranda thing. I looked at the wall immediately after it,
there was an indentation in it.
(Panel 3. The defense finishes.)
Perez: Your
witness...
Judge: Cross examination.
Martinson: Ms. Walters, you claim that you had lost contact with Ms.
Jones for four years. Is it not possible that she was lead astray by her fellow
mutants?
She-Hulk: No. Lecita has always been an example to us all in the
morality department.
(Panel 4. Martinson continues his questions.)
Martinson:
Is it not true that she has always been a bad apple, like all mutants are?
She-Hulk: Absolutely not. I’ve known her for over 15 years now, and she
has been the best person I’ve ever known.
(Panel 5. Martinson continues his questions.)
Martinson:
Let’s talk about her surrender. Is it not true that she was forced to
surrender?
She-Hulk: No. She had planned to surrender, after she had gotten legal
council.
(Panel 6. Martinson continues.)
Martinson:
Now let’s talk about this alleged abuse that she endured. Was it not true that
when she surrendered, she resisted heavily, and they had to get her into a
sleep hold?
She-Hulk: No. She was very calm when she surrendered... that is, until
they started groping her.
(Page 22, panel 1. Martinson continues.)
Martinson:
When they allegedly groped her, were they in fact not frisking her for weapons?
She-Hulk: If they were, it was the worst frisking I’ve ever seen. They
concentrated strictly on her private parts and ignored areas like her arms,
legs, and back where she could have had a weapon. Mind you, she doesn’t carry
weapons; she doesn’t need them.
(Panel 2. Martinson finishes.)
Martinson:
No further questions.
Judge: You may step down.
(Panel 3. The judge faces the She-Hulk as she steps
down.)
Judge: Call
your next witness, Ms. Walters.
She-Hulk: I call Ms. Lecita Jones to the stand.
(Panel 4. Lotus takes the stand.)
Cap (N): And
after swearing in...
She-Hulk: Describe in your own words what happened that day you went to
vote.
Lotus: Well, after getting ready, we went down to the Will Rogers
coliseum, and got in a line. There wasn’t anyone else there at the time. We got
in a line, and had our voter registration cards handy. I presented mine to the
clerk, who then told me I had to take a literacy test. So I went over to this
toddler-sized desk and sat in it, and read the test. I tell you what, even
though I have a masters in Social Work, that test was very confusing and used
words that were not in the vocabulary of everyday people. Meanwhile, Chris was
asked to take a sanity test when he presented his card to the clerk.
(Panel 5. They continue to talk.)
She-Hulk:
And then someone else came in, right?
Lotus: Yes, she was a black woman. The clerk immediately turned my
friends aside for her. When asked, the clerk said that he was instructed to
turn mutants away from the polling place.
Martinson: Move to strike, hearsay.
Judge:(1) Motion granted.
Judge:(2) Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, you will ignore everything
said after “The clerk immediately turned my friends aside for her.”
(Page 23, panel 1. She-Hulk continues her questions.)
She-Hulk: So
why did you run away when the police arrested you and your friends?
Lotus: That’s a difficult question to answer. Inside, I knew that we
wouldn’t have a fighting chance unless one of us was free for awhile, at least
long enough to contact legal help. After I had gotten in touch with you, I did
surrender to the police.
(Panel 2. They continue to talk.)
She-Hulk:
Let’s talk about your surrender. When you surrendered, what did they
immediately do?
Lotus: They threw me against a wall several times, and felt up my
private places. I could tell it wasn’t a frisking; they ignored places I could
have carried a gun like my legs, my arms, and my back. The touching
concentrated solely on my private places.
(Panel 3. She-Hulk pulls back.)
She-Hulk:
Now, you hold a masters degree in social work. You saw the sanity test they
gave the mutants. In your professional opinion, what did you think of the test?
Martinson: Objection, your honor! We do not accept Ms. Jones as being
qualified to answer that question.
Judge: Your objection is sustained.
(Panel 4. She-Hulk moves away, frustrated.)
She-Hulk:
Your witness.
Martinson.: Ms. Jones, is it not true that you lead this group of
mutants?
Lotus: Yes, but I fail to see the relevance -
(Panel 5. Martinson interrupts Lotus.)
Martinson:(1)
Is it not true your group is a roving band of vigilantes out to hurt anyone?
Lotus: Absolutely not. We work for justice, and have brought several
criminals to trial. We were the team that did what the whole U.S.Army couldn’t
do; we brought in the Thunderbolts. We have stopped numerous takeovers of the
world. And most importantly, the state government of
Martinson: If that was true, why has nobody heard of you in
(Panel 6. Lotus concentrates, to prevent from getting
angry.)
Lotus: There
is a lot more to it than you will ever be able to understand. This project has
been classified secret - after all, the public would be outraged if they knew
mutants were working for the government. This is something we do because it is
right.
(Panel 7. Martinson continues his questions.)
Martinson:(1)
Is it not true that you surrendered solely because the police had found you?
Lotus:(1) I surrendered because I am not a criminal.
Martinson: (2) Is it not also true that when you surrendered, the police
frisked you for weapons, and not felt you up as you have stated?
Lotus: (2) If that were true, why did they choose to ignore parts of me
where I could have concealed a weapon? I could have had a weapon in my pants,
on my arm, on my back. The police did not touch those areas. My private parts
were fondled several times by several officers. I really don’t understand why
at least 10 officers had to search me when one or two would have sufficed.
Martinson: (3) Admit it, you are a criminal!
Lotus: (3) If it’s a crime to do the right thing, then I’d rather be a
criminal. But don’t classify me in the same category as murderers, rapists or
thieves.
Martinson: (4) No further questions.
(Page 24, panel 1. The Judge continues. as Lotus leaves the stand.)
Judge: Well,
if there are no further witnesses, I would like to hear closing arguments. Mr.
Martinson.
Martinson: Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, what we have here is a
bunch of twisted miscreants that have clearly violated the law. Without laws to
support us, this land would be in utter chaos. We have to find these defendants
guilty as charged.
She-Hulk: (approaches the jury): Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, what
we have here is a corrupt system trying to stop honest citizens from doing
their civic duty. Their being mutants is irrelevant to this. They are fully
capable of making an informed decision about this. When the law is unjust, the
law must change. Do what is right, and find them not guilty.
(Panel 4. The judge faces the jury.)
Judge: Well,
ladies and gentlemen of the jury. A lot has been said, now it is up to you. If
these mutants are guilty of the crimes they have committed, then you must find
them guilty. Otherwise, they should be found innocent.