King Arthur's Honor-Original Writing

Crossing to the center of the courtroom, Arthur took a deep breath.

“May it please the Court, Your Honor.” Arthur acknowledged Judge Valdis with a nod. “Good morning…”

Arthur had every word of the five-minute long opening memorized, and he delivered his statement with passion, but not aggression. During his years of arguing cases, he had learned the idiom that you attract more bees with honey was true. Cultivating the jury’s compassion, which began with the very first words of the opening remarks, was paramount.

Thanks to hours and hours of practice, the words flowed with ease. The jury was attentive, some nodded their heads in understanding, and some of the women teared up.

Arthur’s eyes drifted to the wall clock. He was closing in
I can see this being wrapped up by next week. It’s moving along nicely.” Before opening his door, Arthur said, “Hey, Elena? We wouldn’t be doing as well if it wasn’t for your attention to detail and organization. It’s made all the difference. Do you want to come over for dinner tomorrow night? My roommate cooks a ‘friends dinner’ at least once a week.” He hoped she wouldn’t read his invitation wrong; he liked Elena as a friend and wanted to explore that friendship.

Elena sorted. “Don’t look so panicked, Arthur. I promise not to bed over your dining table, lift my skirt, and ask you to do me.”

Unsure of how to respond, he stared at her wide eyed, and she laughed.

“I’d love a home-cooked dinner. Besides, I have my eye on someone else now. They were this gorgeous guy at my yoga class. I mean, chiseled perfection, sexy and flexible as hell… You probably don’t want to hear about that.”

“Yeah, not really,” he said with a chuckle.

Elena slid into her car. “See you bright and early tomorrow, then dinner later. Have a good night.”

She drove like a bit of a maniac, and Arthur cringed when she sped out of her parking space and nearly rammed into the car behind her. Elena shrugged, mouthed “Oops,” then put the pedal to the metal and zipped