"So have you reached a verdict?" The judge asked coolly

" Yes, your Honor." said the Jury spokesperson "The defendant is guilty!

The Judge smiled. He had hoped as much "And how to you sentence them?"

"Your Honor, we sentence the defendant to fifteen hours of bad Christian rock" the spokesperson stated.

In spite of his Right Wing sensibilities the judge shuddered for the defendant "...I'm sorry, but I must overturn your verdict on the grounds of unnecessary cruelty..."

"Damn." The spokesperson swore "Then we would like to sentence the defendant's lawyer to sitting through the entire Ring cycle with no breaks."

The judge had no problem with that. "Done and done�" he said smacking the gavel smartly. The lawyer of the defendant was dragged off screaming. Interested, the defendant went with them to watch.

The Judge shuffled through the cases on his desk. Movies studios� TV studios� pointless cases, every one of them. Why had he left homicide in the first place? At least it was interesting�

He pulled out his next case.

Well, well� maybe today's session wouldn't be so bad after all�

"Bring in Case #1984303..." he called out, trying to sound bored.

" Sandiego, Glennan, Glennan et al versus DIC Productions." The Bailiff cried out in a clear voice.

The opposing teams entered the courtroom. Each spent a few moments shuffling papers and whispering intently before looking to the Judge for the signal to start.

To the Judges left� a large block of corporate lawyers with thousand dollar suits, real leather suitcases and Monte Blanc pens.

To his right� An ambulance chaser in flashy clothes. Scratch that. An Ambulance chaser in flashy clothes, who happened to be with three clients that any parent of ten-year old should know�

The traditional rising and seating was unnecessary, so the Judge jumped right into the trial. "And what is the complaint?"

The Ambulance Chaser, a shyster he knew only as Lee Galease, stepped up to the podium, carrying a thick legal brief.

"Your Honor, I'll be brief." Galese said(Apparently he heard about the last lawyer...) "My clients are suing DIC for defamation of character, violation of contract, and poor plotting ."

"And the specific cases of these deflamations?" The Judge asked

"Your Honor, in the case of Ms. Sandiego, she refers specifically to episodes 'The Stolen Smile', 'Timing is Everything', and 'Can You Ever Go Home Again?'. In the case of Ivy Glennan, she refers to the episode 'Cupid Sandiego' as the primary defamation, and objects also to her portrayal in 'Timing is Everything'. Zack Glennan objects generally to his portrayal throughout the series as a helpless klutz. The Chief objects to being an object of humor."

Zack, Ivy and Carmen he saw, silently bobbing their heads in agreement of their lawyers words. The Chief he didn't see, a large, floating, pink screen where he obviously SHOULD have been displayed flying toasters. Must have been some delay at the office�

"I see." The Judge said "I must say I am acquainted personally with the various upsets you have mentioned... and I myself have been increasingly insulted by the unnaturally wild mood swings. Does the representatives from DIC have an opening statement to present before witnesses are called?"

A richly dressed Counselor from DIC, the one with the whitest teeth stood confidently and spoke "Your Honor, this is absurd. We intend to show all events and individuals are portrayed accurately."

"Anything else?" The judge asked sharply.

Mr. White teeth smiled patronizingly "Furthermore, the allegations of contract violations are completely inaccurate. We were entirely within our legal rights at all times." Suddenly the Counselor paused, as if thinking something over "Your Honor, CGI heads do not have legal standing in this state," he finally said "and we request the Chief's removal from this case."

"Request denied counselor." The judge spat "Sanctioned beings have every right to testify. Justice knows no singular form... Proceed when ready."

Shaken but undaunted, the Attorney consulted briefly with his colleagues then stood, "We received all information regarding the earliest disputed episode from one of Carmen's closest associates, Professor Sara Bellum."

Lee stands. "Your Honor, I object. During the date in question, Professor Bellum was in intense therapy and evidenced difficulty telling reality from fantasy."

"Objection sustained�" the judge said in a bored tone.

"DIC's lawyers were starting to sweat. "Regarding the episode Timing is Everything," continued the Attorney "we received our information from Mason Dixon, Josha, and a source who refused to identify herself."

" No hidden charges may be brought upon the court counselor, you know that..." The judge interrupted "the court may, however, recognize the other two testimonies... Please, present these now sir..."

DIC's lawyers entered the transcripts into evidence, passing them to the bailiff. "Mason Dixon stated that Carmen sent him to retrieve a sofa." Continued the rep attorney, "During the course of this operation, he took an opportunity to steal the time machine and rearrange history."

Lee stands. "Your Honor, my client argues that she did not, in fact, send Mason for a sofa. She intended him to purchase a twelve-pack of soda. Furthermore, at no time did she retrieve him in the time machine, much less leave it open and vulnerable to theft. At the time of the events, said machine was in fact undergoing repairs."

Uncertain, the Judge slipped Court's copy of 'Timing...' into the court's VCR and played it for the court. Several members of the jury opened bags of popcorn. As Mason stole the time machine the judge spoke up. "The Time Machine seems to be in perfect working order to me Galsese... and a Civil War recreation festive seems a strange place to get a pack of Surge... Especially when he has more than one person helping him DURING a large robbery..."

Lee shook his head. "That was entirely Mason's own idea. My client at that time was engaged in other activities and did not learn that Mason was doing so until it was too late. She believes - although she has been unable to confirm this yet - that the appearance of the machine was an unauthorized test run by Professor Bellum, particularly since she found part of her laundry missing."

The judges head spun as Galese's logic flowed as fast as he talked "Hold on," he said temporally dropping his tough guy act "I need you to clarify why she was standing by the machine itself... and who's laundry was missing? Hers or Sara's?"

"Your Honor, you will recall from another episode that Professor Bellum is not above ... borrowing Ms. Sandiego's identity. The laundry in question belonged to Ms. Sandiego."

"I see" the judge said.

"Your honor, this is sheer speculation!" DIC's lawyer objected.

"Yes..." said the judge "but the fact of the matter is that only two henchmen have come forward at this point. And these are employees that both have a record of having either mental problems or general harsh feelings towards Ms. Sandiego.. Continue Mr. Galese..."

"Your Honor, regarding the episode Can You Ever Go Home Again. This causes considerable personal distress to Ms. Sandiego. You are certainly aware that she was orphaned at a young age. However, my client emphatically states that her desire to learn about her past does not preclude the use of intelligent measures in determining that past. My client objects to the complete misrepresentation of her actions during that unfortunate affair."

"Such as stealing the 'A' section from the library of Congress and basing parentage on vague engravings in or on jewelry?" asked the judge.

"Precisely, Your Honor." Lee said.

"And what was DIC's intentions in this whole fiasco?" the judge asked.

Before DIC could answer Lee jumped in, "Your Honor, DIC was aware at that time that there would be no renewal for a fifth season. We believe that because of this, DIC pulled its best writers off the show and dumped it in the hands of hacks, to squeeze a last few dollars out of it before throwing it on the trash heap."

"Disgraceful. A was not aware that there was to be no renewal!" he fumed. Looking over to the considerably paler DIC rep, he asked "Well counselor... what does DIC have to say about all of this?"

"Your Honor, that simply isn't true." The attorney stammered "We did not pull our writers from the show, and we certainly did not intend to throw it on the trash heap. We were attempting to create a ... conclusion ... to the show."

"In other words you were trying to end it as quickly as possible so you could keep on making multiple "MMPR" rip offs?" the judge deadpanned

DIC's lawyer gulped. "No, the MMPR rip-offs are Saban's turf ... but they - " claps hand over mouth.

The judge gritted his teeth until bone fragments started to take the finish off the courtrooms faux-marble floors. He finally got out the phrase "Recess. Ten minutes. We will discuss the complains of Ivy and Zack Glennan when we return." The gavel banged.

DIC's lawyer wiped his brow and, seeing the murderous look Ivy shoots him *and* the look on the Judge's face, he pulled out a silver flask and drowned a quick swig.

Lee Galese and Crew retired to their chambers in silence. When the doors closed Ivy was the first to speak. "Looks good, huh?"

Lee nods. "That's the most sympathetic I've ever seen this judge."

"He seems like a fan... or at least the parent of one�" Carmen remarked. "He knew every case we mentioned off the top of his head"

Zack nods. "Just hope he's as sympathetic when it's our turn, sis."

"Speaking of your turn guys... " Lee said

"We get to go up on the witness stand?" Zack guessed

"Seems like it..." Lee shrugged "...As soon as we get back"

"Hey, I'm ready for him... "Ivy smirked. "They're no way I'm gonna take this lying down!"

"Just hope they don't bring Josha into court to testify," Zack remarked.

"Hey I could keep him in line!" Ivy protested

"I'm sure you could, Ivy..." Carmen smirked

The door opened up violently and in breezed... The Chief.

"Soo... anything happen while I was scanning CrimeNet?"

They look at each other. "DIC tried to dismiss you from the case since you're a CGI head," Ivy finally said.

"They what?!?! Oooohh, that just burns me up!" the Chief exclaimed, suddenly glowing bright red. "Eeeek!"

"Chief, be careful.. you're overheating again!" Carmen said trying to calm him down.

The young face of the Bailiff poked into the chambers. "You have five minutes left..."

Lee Galease nods. "Right. All right. Ivy and Zack, you're up next. Knowing the usual, Ivy, they'll probably claim you just broke up with Josha and are too embarrassed to admit it."

Ivy snorted "Yeah, whatever, after that argument with Marco I can handle a lawyer."

"Lee Galese cringed "I'm not asking you to handle the Lawyer, I'm asking you to handle yourself! Just take deep breaths and do get over excited!"

"All right, all right! Sheeze...." Ivy muttered back.

Zack looked at Carmen and shook his head.

Lee's cell phone suddenly sounded "Geez... hang on, I gotta get this..." He said flipping back the lid.

Carmen stepped up to Ivy and put her hand to the teens shoulder. "Ivy, you have a very vibrant personality... but right about now you need to hide it. Tell the truth, the plain truth and only the truth. Don't hide or elaborate on any point. Got it?"

Ivy slowly cooled down. "Got it." She finally said. Then with a smirk, "Hey, I wouldn't want them to think they're going to win, do I?"

Carmen shook her head. "Not at all. Zack, that goes for you too ... and try not to knock anything over."

"Very funny." pouted the teen

"All right Team! let's win one for the gipper!" The Chief cheered, as fanfare played in the back of his screen

"Chief, that goes for you too..." Carmen told him.

"Oh..." He said. The screen morphed and he was suddenly wearing a respctable, if floating, striped tie. The background was a navy blue and, for the first time anyone could remember, his wild Elvis hair was combed back and secured with in a ponytail.

Ivy shuddered. "That's scary, Chief."

"Well... yeah. It's unsettling on this end too... but, hey! Whatever works..." He said, mellow, as the tie slid securely against a phantom throat.

Everyone but Lee, who was still yelling into his cell phone, shuddered at the newly revealed side of the Chief.

Zack shook his head. "What's got into Lee, and don't we only have one or two minutes left?"

"Yeah, little bro, we need to get back out there." Ivy said, "That judge looked furious on the way out ..."

"Well, yes, but we don't need to start moving until someone tells us to..." Carmen rationalized

If on cue, the young Bailiff peeked back inside the chambers. "Ladies and Gentlemen...?"

Ivy, Zack and the Chief stood up, ready to leave. Carmen tapped Lee on the shoulder. "We're required back in the courtroom, Lee."

Lee briefly came back to the reality of where he was. "I'll call you back..." He cooed into the phone before hanging up. "Ready?" he asked his clients

"Let's go." Zack said.

"All rise for the Judge!"

The Judge returned to the courtroom. "Were there further depositions for Ms. Sandiego?"

"No your honor" Both sides replied

"Good. Then let us move on to the second part of the Suit. Mr.Galese? Call your first witness..."

"Your honor, I call Ivy Glennan to the stand."

Ivy rose, quickly at first- then as if remembering something she slowed down, walked to the stand and turned to face the Bailiff holding a bible

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, So Help You God?"

"I do."

"Please be seated..."

Ivy took the witness seat, slowly. Galese paused for a moment, considering (a rare thing indeed) then spoke...

"Detective Glennan, you're claiming defamation of character and contract violations, is that correct?"

"Yes, it is."

"Will you please detail in your own words the occurrences that led you to make these charges?"

"Well after seeing these gross exaggerations of character forced, by the shows writers, on my co-workers, and myself I knew I couldn't keep silent..."

DIC's white toothed lawyer objected, "Your honor, I demand charges that are to the point and clear, not vague accusations!"

"If the prosecution will remain silent for a few moments I will be glad to broaden my accusation!" Ivy interrupted. She took a deep breath.

"It all started with the shows plot, 'Stolen smile'. We had all been studying our Characters for weeks, and then we had to throw all that hard work out the window when we finally got the script. I didn't think much on it, since it was the pilot and they were still experimenting... but since the last season, the same bizarre- almost afterthought- personality traits have been popping up in the show."

"Specifically, Detective?" the Judge asked.

"Well... for example: Throughout most of the seasons, except for the first two, Carmen and I have been portrayed as strong women, good female role models for young girls. We've taken blows by the lackeys of our opposing teams and blows to our pride with equal grace... but recently, the power that we've instilled in ourselves is put in on top...after the writers have made total fool out of us... The thing with Carmen trying to find out if Malcom was her father was completely unlike her and, quite frankly, embarrassing. She lost her cool so many times in that episode, the joke around the set was that she had her stunt double had switched parts.
"And the indignation I suffered in Cupid was shameful. I can't legally go into specifics, your honor, since the episode hasn't been released here... But they had me tripping in a ball gown during the stakeout in 'Timing' then waltzing carefree in virtually the same outfit in 'Cupid'!" Ivy took a well-timed sip of water.

The Judge looked appalled at this testimony and the jury was directing black looks toward the DIC lawyers.

"Your honor, this is absurd." The DIC rep stammered "The truth is that Detective Glennan had broken up with Josha before that episode had a chance to air, and is now trying to salve her pride by pretending it never happened."

"Broken up?..." Ivy repeated, tired and disgusted "Who on Earth told you that I had gone out with Josha?"

DIC's lawyer looked smug.

She made a noise of disgust in the back of her throat, "Never mind. I think I can guess." She turned to the judge. "Your honor, if I may clarify?... While we were making the episode, Josha confronted me many times, asking if we could study our parts together. Even though I knew he had a crush on me I was foolish, I didn't think it would come down to him asking me out THROUGH work... We went out several times, and yes I did have a fun time with him... But rumors started spreading about us... kissing... among other things... and I knew I had to break it off. But for a long time, he refused to accept my rejection. I see now that he has found a way of retaliation..." she said glaring daggers at DIC's attorney.

DIC's lawyer still looked smug. "That's not the story we were given, Your Honor."

"I'm pretty sure of that." Ivy said bluntly "Josha has his good and bad points, and one of the good ones is creative writing. This is not "The Blame Game" Counselor... if there is any relevancy to this tirade, besides dragging my name through the mud yet again, I suggest you bring it to light soon."

DIC's lawyer nodded happily. "Certainly, Detective. Your Honor, I wish to call Josha to the stand."

"You may not, sir." The judge bluntly said "Maybe you would be so kind as to let the court room work as it was designed? Galese has not officially ended his questioning of Ms Glennen, and you have not officially begun OR ended your questioning! I will not have this court dissolved into the format a seedy talk show!"

The spectators in the court looked rather disappointed.

"Detective, will you please elaborate on the contract violations you are alleging occurred?" Lee asks.

"Well, Galese... Your honor... as a toon, my contract is given at conception. Along with standard rights, the choice of a normal life if the series is canceled, I was given my on screen persona. Most toons do eventually develop an off stage personality, but many of us unconsciously live the lives that were given to us in and out of the public eye. The� creative� re-writes that DIC has made during the past season have, not only, broken the original contract which we and DIC inc signed, but is forcing the cast of the show into weekly character suicide for the good of a series that the company is trying to quietly do away with!"

"I object! We are not quietly trying to do away with the show, and I would hardly consider the last season to involve character suicide!"

Ivy rounded on the DIC rep "First of all Counselor to call the second season anything but character suicide is to go back on words you had spoken earlier... didn't you claim you "were attempting to create a ... conclusion ... to the show."? And secondly, it's still my attorneys turn!"

The Judge banged his gavel. "The lady is correct Wait your turn, Counselor!"

The DIC rep, slouched down and, discreetly, takes another swallow out of his flask.

The judge turns to Lee, "You may proceed..."

"Thank you, your honor. Now, are there any other instances of contract violations?"

"There was... is... the arms violation."

"Please explain, detective."

"Our primary contact specifically forbid the use of any guns, gun imagery or live ammo. Aside from the explosives in 'Plays the thing' there were no definite violations of this.. but in 'Can You ever...'...."

DIC sneaked another drink from the flask.

"No further questions, Your Honor."

"Very well Mr. Galese.." he said. Then, turning to the DIC rep he said, in a fatherly voice "NOW you can begin you line of questioning..."

"Ms. Glennan, you freely admit that you went out with Josha, do you not?"

"Of course."

"And is also true that at that time you had just broken up with Marco over his alleged infidelity?"

"Not 'just' broken up counselor... it had been three months after the fact... but the break up had been recent..."

"And is it also true that you were sufficiently upset over this to want to make him hurt for it?"

"Yes. And that was one of the reasons I put sugar in his gas tank."

"And is it not also the reason you took up with Josha? And, knowing how fast word travels, isn't that *also* the reason you were much more involved with him than you are choosing to admit?"

"Firstly, after the lengthy talking to the shows executive gave us after the gas tank incident, I was not looking to do anything stupid to get back at Marco. And dating Josha at that time was stupid.. I admit it.. but by the time we had started 'dating' Marco and I had moved on... you can ask anyone besides Josha that, and you'll get the same answer."

"Very well," DIC's lawyer said. "Regarding your other charges, at the time of the final season, the show's executives determined that some changes needed to be made in order to keep market share."

"In other words, you wanted to graft Power Rangers on our show!"

"Shut up!" the DIC rep bellowed, and a verbal fight ensued

The judges gavel went wild. "That's enough! Counselor, I have rarely seen such shameful behavior in my court! Detective Glennan, if you cannot keep your temper under control, I will have to remove you from the courtroom!"

The DIC rep, despite looking haggard and pitiful, swaggered away from the stand as if Ivy had been the only one loosing it. "No further questions you honor... now if I may?"

The judge rolled his eyes, "Fine, fine.. Bring in your 'Surprise' witness counselor..."

"I call Josha to the stand."

Josha, clad in a suit and tie watched Ivy descend the stand and take her seat, before he moved at all. He was lead to the stand by the DIC rep and he placed a newly manicured hand on the bible the bailiff presented.

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

"I do."

"Josha, please tell us what transpired between you and Ivy at the time in question."

He overly relaxed in the chair and tried to look embarrassed "Well... I did ask her out to review the script, as she said..."

Ivy snaped a pencil in two. Carmen gently covered the teens hand with the broken pencil points. Zack rubbed his sisters back while the chief quietly whispered 'It's all right' to her

"But she was the one making the moves on me ..."

"Now.. explain to the court what you mean by 'The Moves'" the DIC guy oozed

"Well ... I normally wouldn't discuss this in public ..."

".. You can plead the fifth, " The DIC rep reminded no one in particular "But this is a court of law... the truth is of the utmost importance..."

"Of course, I've worked at Acme long enough to be aware of that. Well ... she would ... touch me ... and make certain comments ..."

"And what would an example of these... comments... be?"

"That she ... though I had a cute ass ..."

The Chief fussed with his tie and turned slightly green. Ivy's tense face temporary broke into a mask of rage. When she finally did recover some of her wits she whispered to Zack "I'm gonna have to kill him..."

"You're gonna have to beat me to it..." he whispered back

"And what was your reaction?"

"What would you do if a beautiful woman said things like that to you? I didn't know then she was just using me to get back at Marco."

"Objection, your honor!" Galese belted out

"Pl - What is it, Mr. Galease?"

"This whole testimony is more edited that a Hollywood movie script! I demand that this stop immediately!"

"Overruled Galese, the truth from BOTH sides must come out, no matter how messy it is... proceed...."

"And during the actual shooting of Cupid, what occurred?"

"Well.... umm... after the Martini shot-the ACME holiday party-, Ivy asked me to take a walk with her at the beach and...well.. things got serious..."

"OBJECTION!" Lee shouted

"What now?"

"Your honor, I have several witness statements showing that Ivy broke up with Josha during that walk... several people give collaborating stories about Josha's explanation of how the break up occurred!" Lee passes these documents to the judge

Josha and DIC's lawyer looked at each other.

The judge looks over the documents and his eyebrows raise. "Bailiff, present these to the prosecution... Counselor, Mr. Josha.. would you care to explain these?"

"Uhm ... Your Honor, the plaintiffs have subverted the witnesses ..."

"What?!?!" roared the judge, "At the first little sign of opposition you claim fraud in the court!?!?"

"But Your Honor, we ... ah ... never heard any such stories previously!"

"Did you question or interview any of these people? These... Armondo... Jasmine... Tatyanna?"

"Uh ... "

"There are at least twenty names here! Did you interview anyone in ACME who DIDN'T hold a grudge with the Glennan's or Ms. Sandiego?

"Well ... Your Honor, we ..." The DIC guy is stumbled... all eyes are upon him... things don't look good... "No further questions your honor..."

Lee Galease approaches the stand for cross-examination.

"You claim to have been involved in a physical relationship with Ivy Glennan, is that true?"

"Yes."

Ivy is looking rather ill.

"And you claim that this relationship was in fact initiated by Ms. Glennan?"

"Well it wasn't initialed by me..." he defends

Ivy wants to say something to that but stays silent

"Then perhaps you would like to explain the testimony recorded here, wherein several other detectives, notably Armando and Tatyanna, observe that all physical contact appears to have been initiated by you, and merely tolerated or repulsed by Ms. Glennan?"

Lee clicks on the tape recorder.

Tatyanna comes on first: (She's hard to understand because of the accent) 'Well, everyone knew Josha was interested, but I thought she really thought of him more as a friend or someone to ... oh, how to say ... meet with when she did not want to eat alone or with her brother. I certainly don't think she ever had anything ... physical with him; she would push him away if he got too touchy."

Josha sank into the chair as Tatyanna continued.

"But she did read the script with him before 'Cupid' (sounds like 'Cupik') but after that the rumors started... she tried to let him down easy after the production wrapped up... maybe she was too nice.."

"Or perhaps you would like to explain this?" He clicks the recorder, and Armando's voice comes through.

"Well, I remember right after Ivy tried to tell the jerk off that there was a silly little rumor spread around that she and I were an item... not true, of course, but a little flattering... this asshole corners me and tells me he's going to rip my ears off if I come near her again! The jerk tried to..." Armondo faded off into angry Spanish... Josha sunk deeper into his chair.

Lee clicked off the tape recorder. "I think I made my point...."

Zack grinned and whispered to Ivy he'll tell her what Armando said after court.

"No further questions, Your Honor." Josha steps off the witness stand and slinks away.

"Well this has been a very productive afternoon!" The judge chuckled "We seem to be right back where we started! Let's take another break and see if we can't get every thing straightened out when the floating head comes up..."

Galese spoke up "He DOES have a name your honor..."

"Oh, yes, the Chief. Sorry about that."

"No prob your honor..." the Chief smiled

"Fifteen minute recess!" the Judge declares. The gavel banged, and the two sides retreat into chambers. The groups retired quietly enough but when the doors close...

"Woo-Hoo! Way to go Ivy!" screamed the Chief...

Ivy collapses into a chair. "I'm gonna kill him. I am going to kill him!"

"Is it just me or does Tatyanna sound devastatingly cute when she's angry?" Zack asked the room

"Ivy, breathe!" Carmen advised the teen

"Its just you.." the Chief replied

Ivy breathed deeply. "I'm fine, really. Really."

"Well SOMEones getting transferred to the Brazil branch in the morning!" The Chief replied between victory dance chants.

"Chief, cut that out," Carmen told him "You're messing up your hair" she brushed the screen lightly and the Chiefs hair fell back into place

"Well, so far so good," Ivy said, breaking a pencil. "I think the Judge is running out of patience."

"�unfortunately it's with both sides..." Zack replied "Ivy, we won't keep giving you those if you're only going break them..."

"Shut up, little bro..."

Carmen took the pencils away and massaged Ivy's shoulders.

"We need to wrap up," Lee said. "Chief, you and Zack need to be fast and impressive."

"As opposed to slow and pointless?" Zack joked

"So, don't imitate the DIC guy, is what you're saying?" the Chief joked

Lee laughed. "Right. Chief, we'll put you on first. Don't crack silly jokes, do any of your usual stuff. You need to impress the jury. Zack, ditto."

"Damn." they both said at the same time.

"So I couldn't..." Zack started

"No." said Ivy

"Well what about the..." Chief started

"No!" said Carmen

Lee thinks. "This could be more difficult than I thought."

There was general whimpering form the guys, but Ivy got in their faces...

"Look, do you want the slimy guy to win?"

"No..."

"No way!"

"Well then!"

"But I want to do the crack pipe joke!" The chief wailed

Carmen took him by the corner of his screen

"Listen Chief! To show friendship at this point is to draw Kill Me across your forehead! Just give them no quarter and sink them with the same energy you use to make us laugh, and we'll be fine!"

"Oh. Right. You don't think ..."

"Chief, with what they've done already, they might well ..."

The Chief shudders.

"And you aren't exactly a brick wall when it comes to opposition..." Zack pointed out..

Ivy slapped him upside the head

Carmen broke it up. "Save it for after we're out of here. Zack ... what was Armando saying?"

"Among various animals Josha should chase after instead of my sister he said he wasn't good enough to lick her boots...at least I think he said boots..."

Carmen laughs.

"We'll have to ask him the exact wording later," Ivy said

"err ... right ..." Zack says.

The Young Bailiff walks in "Five minutes"

Lee looks up. "OK, guys. Are you going to play it serious and straight?"

Zack and The Chief suddenly straightened up and looked incredibly proper. "What do you think?" Zack asked slowly.

Carmen and Ivy high fived each other

Lee nodded. "That's it!"

"Do you think we'll be able to carry this off old chap?" Zack asked sarcastically, smoothly looking at his wristwatch.

"Well... I do believe we are going to find out..." The Chief said slowly.

Carmen and Ivy looked at each. "I think we've created a pair of monsters."

"Hey, if it works. it works!" Lee said

Carmen nodded.

"Are we ready?" Ivy asked

"Looks like it..." Lee said

The bailiff stuck his head in. "Ladies. Gentlemen?"

"Coming." Lee commented. The group looked at each other, straightened their backs and walked to the courtroom in silence.