Barclay Davis - Angela, Court Is In Session

Art by Scopedog

Inside the courtroom, prior to the start of the trial, Frida and her lawyer, Isadore "Izzy" Feinberg, were seated up front to the court's left, while Archie and his lawyer, Tyrone Armstrong, were on the right side. All Archie had was his family behind him, while Frida had Max and the Gang sitting behind her. She definitely had the larger audience.

Soon, the bailiff - a heavy set black woman in uniform - enters the court from the front. As she stands on the spot, she yells "ALL RISE FOR THE HONORABLE JUDGE EZEKIEL STONE!" Everyone in the room stands as the judge, a man in his fifties and looking somewhat older than he appears, enters. He takes his seat at his docket, which is positioned high so that he has a good view of his surroundings, and starts talking.

"This court is now in session. I shall be calling the case for the custody of Angela Frida Olsen Sanders, between her two biological parents, Archibald Donald Sanders and Frida Birgit Olsen."

Both lawyers give their opening statements. Archie's lawyer opens up about how his client is from one of the most prominent families in the region, how he's a pillar of the community, giving his time and resources to those who need it. He then paints Frida as an opportunistic harlot, trying to bring Archie and his family down with her promiscuous ways. He then claims that his family's finances will take care of Angela for the rest of her life, while Frida struggles to make ends meet as a lowly teacher. Tyrone then ends his opening statements by saying the only hope for Angela's future is for her to be given full custody to his client.

Next is Frida's lawyer, Izzy. He opens up about how his client has had to struggle through most of her life with issues and situations beyond her control. He also says Frida has succeeded, for the most part, in overcoming her struggles by attending college and teacher's college, with high honors, which then led her to quickly landing a job at Danforth High, and getting a boyfriend, who's been a stabilizer in her life. He then paints Archie as a manipulative monster who bullies his way into getting what he wants, even if it means violent confrontation. He then claims Archie wasn't above violently hitting Frida, whenever he felt like it, bringing up the incident after Frida told Archie she was pregnant with his child. Izzy ends his opening statements by saying, for her safety and well being, Frida be given full custody of Angela.

Soon, Archie takes the stand. He takes his seat in the docket, after being sworn in.

His lawyer starts off. "So, Mr. Sanders. Tell us a little bit about yourself."

"What's there to say?" Archie tells him. "I'm a great guy that does great things for my community! I have a hot, sexy babe that I plan on marrying as soon as possible, and I stand to gain a fortune that I plan on doing tremendous things for my community."

"Uh-huh." Tyrone says. He continues, "How exactly did you meet up with Miss Olsen?" Frida and Izzy tightened their fists in anticipation for what is next.

"I met her at this club me and my bros visited, called Ecstasy." Archie explains, which was actually a strip club. "We were all sitting around at a table watching the talent on stage, and all of a sudden, this gal named Kitten comes on stage and is knocking it out of the park with her hot dancing and sexy attire."

"And is this 'Kitten' here in this courtroom, today?" Tyrone asks his client.

"Yup!" Archie answers. "And she's sittin' right over there!" He points his finger at Frida. She didn't move a muscle as she was expecting that. It seems Frida had told Izzy about working as a stripper when she met Archie, and no one else. Not even Max was aware of that, as he and the Gang were completely taken by surprise from that revelation.

"So what took place that the two of you hooked up?" Tyrone asks of his client.

Archie explained. "Well, she came over to our table to talk it up with us. She looked real hot, up close. Well...besides the buck teeth of hers!" Archie chuckled a bit at that, while Frida clenched her fists and teeth after Archie made that statement. "I started talkin' up with her. I knew right then she wanted me. Went to the VIP longue for some private fun. She was even more something. That's when I knew I wanted to take her out with me. I asked her out, but she was hesitant. I kept on insisting, until she finally agreed to go out with me."

"And how did that date turn out?" Tyrone asks his client.

"I thought it went great! Paid for her night an' everything." Archie said.

"Is that when you became a couple?" Tyrone asked of his client.

"Pretty much, yup!" Archie answered.

"How were you as a couple?" Tyrone asked.

"I thought we were a great couple." Archie answered. "I took care of Frida whenever we went out. But along the way, Frida started acting all strange. Like she wasn't really into me. I thought I was doing well by her. But every time we went out, it was like she was less interested in me."

"Did you make any effort to work things out?" Tyrone asked.

"I tried." Archie answered "But Frida was making all these demands of me. As if I felt the need to improve myself. But she just kept on harping about stuff. Then finally, one night, she wanted to break up with me. I pleaded with her to stay, until she finally agreed to. We did it that night. And the next thing I knew, she told me she was pregnant with my child!"

"And how did you react to that news?" Tyrone asked.

"I was furious!" Archie said. "I thought she was playing games with me and was trying to trap me. I knew right then and there that Frida was crazy. I wanted nothing to do with her after that. So I broke it off with her."

"Did you make any effort to reach out to her, while she was carrying her child?" Tyrone asked.

"No." Archie said. "Why would I want to help an obvious crazy person? If anything, I would have wanted her committed for the way she was carrying on."

"So when did you decide you wanted full custody of Angela?" Tyrone asked of Archie.

"Around the time of the Broadview Harvest Festival, I ran into Frida and my daughter." Archie answered. "She was feeding her cotton candy, which I was against giving children any sugar. I told her she was a bad mother and that she had no business raising my daughter like that. So I went and took the necessary steps needed to gain full custody of Angela."

"Well you've certainly shown grown in your concerns for your daughter, I'll give you that." Tyrone said, while everyone on Frida's side were rolling their eyes over that.

Next, Archie's lawyer tells the judge, "At this time, your honor, I would like to present evidence to the court." The judge tells Tyrone to proceed.

Tyrone hands an envelope to the judge, then he puts up some cardboard pieces on an easel that was standing in front of his table. When he removes the front blank piece, the judge, Izzy, Frida, and everyone else on their side saw a grainy photo of two young women that were passionately kissing and embracing each other in their underwear. One had long, flowing dark hair, the other, short, bobbish blonde hair.

Everyone on Frida's side was shocked by what they saw. While Frida herself, was gobsmacked horrified by it. Archie's girl Gia was covering Angela's eyes so that she wouldn't look at those photos.

"As you can see, your honor." Tyrone explained. "Before she became a mother to my client's child, the young woman sitting over there, was engaged in some female homosexual activity that is both lewd and shocking. These photos you see here and in your hands, your honor, show her in acts of unnatural copulation that would offend any moral thinking person."

"I OBJECT, YOUR HONOR!!!" Izzy shouted while getting up off of his chair. "This is a clear cut example of revenge porn, and it's highly illegal!"

"In most states." Tyrone said. "To which this state, where this case is being judged, is clearly not...your honor?" Tyrone asks the judge, who was looking a little too intensely at the photos he was given.

His bailiff comes up to him and screams at him "SIR!!!!!" Which startled the judge. After composing himself, the judge says "Um...overruled!" The bailiff could only roll her eyes at the judge, as she walked away from him.

"Thank you, your honor!" Tyrone says, while Izzy was working himself up in a lather at this recent discovery. He was taking down a photo from the easel to show another photo of Frida and the other young woman in an even more lewd sexual pose. He continued. "As you can see, the woman sitting over there has shown herself to be a woman of very loose morals and very low virtue! Why anyone would believe that woman should be given custody of that sweet child over there, after something like this from her past is something that they need to ask themselves!"

At that moment, the judge interrupted the trial, after he saw Marie and Gerald get up to leave, and said "Excuse me, where are you two going?"

Both Gerald and Marie turned to the judge, and Gerald said "We just want to leave, your honor. This is too much for the both of us."

"Very well then. You're both dismissed." the judge told them, which left Frida pained and shamed. Max was left disgusted by their actions.

Tyrone continued showing the court more photos of Frida and the young woman engaging in lesbian activities. He says, quite obnoxiously to Frida "My miss, you seem to have a fondness for clams!" as he showed a photo of Frida engaged in oral sex on her partner. Victor covered his eyes up not wanting to look at the graphic image. Then, Tyrone said "As well as a side of...tossed salad!" which he shows a different oral sex act Frida performed. Victor took a quick peek, and instantly reacted by throwing up all over Max, who had been in a frozen state looking at those photos of Frida.

"Your honor," Tyrone said. "What this clearly shows is that the woman sitting over there is a very highly unstable woman with some very questionable tastes and morals! It is clear she's not capable of raising that sweet innocent child! All the more proof of why my client deserves full custody of his own daughter."

"Thank you counsel." The judge says. "Well this is a lot to take in for one day. And seeing as I have other cases that need tending to, for the long weekend, this court will adjourn, and will reconvene come Tuesday. Dismissed!" And after the judge bangs his gavel, everyone starts getting up to leave.

At their table, Frida looked as if she had just received a terminal diagnosis, while Izzy was sitting at his seat, doing a slow burn at what had just transpired. Finally, Izzy quickly turns to look at Frida, and screams at her, "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME ABOUT THIS AFFAIR YOU HAD WITH THAT WOMAN?!!"

"I don't know!" Frida told Izzy. "I didn't think Archie would find those photos! Is it bad?"

"IS IT BAD?!!" Izzy said. He again says "Is it bad?!!" through gritted teeth, and then says to Frida "You just better hope that judge doesn't declare to have you STERELIZED!!!"

Frida gasped in absolute shock over that.

***

Outside the courtroom and in the main area, most the Gang were congregated around Izzy. Victor was perched on top of Mitch's shoulder, as Max was not around and neither was Frida. Izzy was losing it in front of the Gang, as this sudden revelation, that was allowed to stand, has put Frida in a very bad place.

"Did any of you know about Frida's past lesbian affair?" Izzy asked of them. Everyone said no.

Then Izzy turned to look at Mitch and Paul. Mitch said to Izzy, "Hey, we're as clueless about it as you!"

"Mon! I din' xpect ta see DAT side uf Frida!" Bob blurted out, and everyone was in agreement with him about it.

Pete then blurts out "I thought they looked kinda hot!" Which got everyone pissed off at him, as Carol smacked the back of his head with her hand, and Victor, who was next to Pete, pinched his nose hard. Rubbing it hard after the crab pinch, Pete says, "C'MON! It's not like any of you were thinking the same!"

After a quick settling down, Sam says to Izzy "Dude, why you so upset about this? We're well into the 21st Century. And Frida's relationship with that girl was so long ago."

"You don't get it!" Izzy snaps at Sam. "That judge is so far right, he's standing at the edge looking at the view! He sees something that pops up, like a same-sex relationship, and that would be labelled a black mark on that person!  We're going to need a miracle going forward now, if we ever stand a chance!"

"Poor Frida!" Gloria says. "This has to devastate her. She's going to need Maxie more than ever!"

"Where is Max anyway?" Paul asks. "I have not seen him since court adjourned."

"Oh that!" Victor says. "Well. Max had to pop on over to the bathroom to wash up after I had, uhh...threw up on him a little!🦀😁"

Jasmine then sees a familiar figure, sitting at the steps by the entrance and says "There he is, now!" They all turn to  see Max sitting at the top of the steps that lead into the main foyer, alone. Victor then gets Mitch to take him to Max, and after he gets close enough, puts Victor on the ground to talk to Max.

"Hiya buhhhh-dee!" Victor says to Max, as he got close to him. Max, leaning a bit forward and his hands on the top of the steps, Max slowly turns his head to look at Victor.

"Oh, hey Victor." Max says, rather nonchalantly.

"How ya holdin' up?" Victor asks Max.

After a brief moment of awkward silence, Max says "...I'm fine. Given that I just found out my girlfriend, the love of my life, once worked as a stripper, and who once had a sexual affair with another woman."

After another brief moment of silence, Victor says to Max "This isn't going to change the way you look at Frida, is it?"

Max didn't move an inch after Victor asked him that question. Then, he turns his head to stare at Victor, without saying a word. But then, after some silence, they were interrupted by the sound of someone screaming "YOU BASTARD!!!"

Max and Victor quickly look to see where it was coming from. They see Frida slapping Archie's face hard. She continued yelling at him. "How DARE you steal those photos of mine! You had no fucking business possessing them in the first place!"

"All's fair in love and war, Frida!" Archie arrogantly said "What's yours is mine when we were goin' out, so I had a right to them! I always knew those photos would come in handy, one day, and now the whole world knows what a degenerate, immoral skank you are!"

"Oh spare me your false morality and cleverness, you fucking asshole!" Frida said, as she was spitting fire at Archie. "The only reason for you to grab those photos was because you wanted something to jerk off to!"

"DON'T BE ABSURD, FRIDA!😠" Archie yelled at Frida.

"OH you're right, I AM being absurd!" Frida sarcastically tells Archie. "Because we both know there's not a pair of tweezers in the world SMALL ENOUGH, that'll DO THE FUCKING JOB FOR YOU!!!!!🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬"

Enraged by that last statement, Archie draws his hand back and was about to backhand Frida's face. But before he could make contact, Archie's wrist was quickly grabbed. When Archie turned to look, he could see Max, holding his wrist, with a very angry look on his face.

"TOUCH HER...and I'll break you!!!😠😠😠😠😠" Max growled at Archie through gritted teeth.

Archie broke away from Max to pace about looking at him, saying "Well well, look at the lil' moptop, trying to act all brave and cute for his little whore, huh-huh...well, we AIMS..." Archie tried to throw a sucker punch at Max, only to have it blocked by Max's hand, just like Paul did it to him at the Harvest Festival. Archie was surprised that Max was able to coolly stop him like that.

He was even more surprised when Max punched Archie in the face, using the palm of his hand. The blow sent Archie reeling back and confused. He looked up in time to see Max apply a well place boot to Archie's rib section, which sent him hurling across the hall and flat on his face. When Archie looked up, he saw Max standing a good distance from him, looking defiant. He was quickly joined by the rest of the Gang, who stood behind Max with defiant looks of their own to give him. Finally, Victor scurried over to Max's side and unleashed his claws at Archie.

Up on his hands and knees, Archie says with an arrogant smirk to his face, "So...ya been workin' out?"

"I have an excellent instructor!" Max replies. Paul smiles at that.

"GOOD!" Archie says, as he's back up on his feet. "I'm up for a challenge!"

Archie then runs right at Max, with Max doing likewise to Archie. Both men are running and screaming at each other. They were almost close to each other, when the bailiff from Frida's case got between the two of them with her arms stretched out, screaming "STOP!!!!!"

"THIS IS A COURTHOUSE, NOT A STEEL CAGE!!!" She told both Max and Archie. "THE NEXT ONE WHO THROWS A PUNCH, IMMA THROWIN' YOU INNA HOLDING CELL, YA GOT THAT?!!"

Both Max and Archie look at each other with intense looks in their faces. Finally, Archie produces a smirk across his face, and tells everyone behind him, "Let's go home!"

Archie's party starts heading out the door. But one person wasn't moving. Angela was standing by herself, looking at her mother Frida, intensely. Frida was also looking at her daughter as well. Frida was wondering what was going through Angela's mind, after hearing and seeing all the stuff her own mommy did. What she must be thinking of her, right now. Does she think much less of her?

Archie was screaming at Angela to come to him, saying "Angela, get over here, NOW! We're leaving!" Angela did nothing but stand there looking at her mother. Archie finally screamed "ANGELA, SO HELP ME, IF I HAFTA GO OVER THERE AND DRAG YOU..."

Angela turned to look at her father. Then she turns and starts waking towards her father. But just as Archie was about to put his hand on the back of her head, Angela breaks away from him and starts running and crying into the arms of her mother Frida. Both mother and daughter were hugging each other tightly and crying to each other, with Angela crying out "I WANNA BE WITH YOU, MOMMY!!!"

"I WANNA BE WITH YOU TOO, SWEETIE!!!" Frida cried to Angela, as she was hugging her tightly in her arms while crying.

Archie, thoroughly pissed at what he just saw, went over to take Angela away from Frida. When he starts grabbing the both of them, Max becomes enraged, screaming "Why you FUCKING..."

Max then tries to go over to put a stop to Archie, when the bailiff blocked him from doing so. She said to Max, "Please sir. Don't make me hafta do my job!" After a moment, she continues, with genuine concern. "Besides...your girl's gonna be needing you!"

Max could only stand and watch, as Archie was trying to pry Angela off of Frida. Then, Archie puts his hand on Frida's face and shoves her to the ground, while he's holding Angela up by her arm as she's crying uncontrollably. Max quickly runs up to comfort Frida, after she hit the floor. Archie then yells at a sobbing Frida, "I WON'T ALLOW MY DAUGHTER TO BE AROUND A SKANK, LIKE YOU!!!" And as he's walking away, still holding Angela's arm, he was angrily telling her, "You just wait till I get you home!😠😠😠😠😠"

Frida was left crying bitterly, after what just happened. Max is holding on to Frida from behind, comforting and hugging her, while throwing a dirty look at Archie, who had put more distance from them. Victor and the Gang could only look at that and be sad from all that.

And as that was going on, the bailiff noticed Judge Stone standing on top of the steps, watching all that unfold in front of him. When he notices his bailiff staring at him intensely, he quickly gathers himself up and walks away from all that.

And all that was left, was Frida sitting on the floor in the middle of the foyer, sobbing, and Max comforting her while still looking in the direction of a disappearing Archie. All that anyone could think, in that moment, was Frida had lost!

Coming up: Barclay Davis - Angela, Desperate Measures Reveals All