52

"What of it!?" the woman said, staring at the Victories. "What of it!?" She was merciless in her berating of the guards. "You stooges are part of the problem!" she shouted, walking towards them. "I spit on your antiquated mores, and your withered obeisances. You're a cancer to the very word that this establishment uses to define you. I spit on it and I spit on you!"

The Victories stood firm, they didn't approach the woman. They would not clamor to her obstinance. "I said it!" she shouted again. "I said it, I said it, and look, nothing happened. I said it and I'll say it again, and I don't care which one of these snitches standing around me reports me!" The woman turned around to look at the crowd that had gathered around her, it was already large but was still growing. "I hope the extra chit in any of your clang buckets that any of you gets for turning me in gets you an extra pair of peasant work boots!" she shouted as she hurled a heap of stones at the crowd. At this point, the Victories moved in and then hauled her away.

"Mommy, why are they taking her away? a little girl asked, watching as two tall, very muscular, men apprehended the woman. They each grabbed one of her arms, took her to a metallic, grey, van, and threw her in it.

"Never you mind, daughter," the mother said, staring as the van drove off. You just remember the lessons the Victories taught you in school today.

"Mommy," the little girl said, while walking alongside her mother. "We're learning to count never-say. I'm on my 50's listen. "50, 51, never-say 53, 54 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60."

"That is wonderful daughter," the mother said, smiling. "The Victories have taught you well. This calls for a celebration. Let's get some ice cream,"

Victory Retainment Center

"I don't know why we can't say it!" the woman shouted. "What the hell's wrong with saying it? Why can't we say it?"

"It's against the rules," the guard replied. "You shouldn't have said it. Now we have to keep you here until you're sentencing."

"You know I won't keep quiet," the woman replied. "I'll say it again," she continues. "I'll say it!"

"If you don't say it, the guard said, staring at her. "They might let you go."

"I'll say it, I don't care," the woman replied. "I'm sick of this restriction, and I'm sick of the way that it effects this city. "If I get out of here, there's going to be a revolution and I'm starting it."

"That's if you get out of here," the guard replied.

"I'm gonna say what I damn well please," the woman shot back, staring at the guard with a look of defiance.

"If you say it," the guard replied, turning and staring directly at her. "You'll be sentenced and never heard from again. "You're already on shaky ground as it is." he added. "This might be a good time for you to keep your mouth shut.

The Tribunal

"Good day Madame," a tall, thin, gangly man wearing a grey tailored suit said bowing his head slightly. His silver-grey hair was slicked back and neatly groomed, his pale skin was covered in dark blotches caused by the ravages of ageing. His aquiline nose, and an elongated gate, revealed years of stress that his occupation had placed on him. as he raised his head, he continued to speak. "I am Lawyer Zal O'Cuun at your service. I am here to represent you in your court proceedings. The Victories have chosen me and have graciously allowed you legal representation. I have in my hand two documents that you will read when you stand before court. These are the statements you will attest to in order for me to ask the court for leniency in your matter."

"You mean you want me to lie," the woman said, staring at the tall, thin, man standing before her.

"No Madame," the lawyer replied. "I simply want you to read what has been written in these documents.

"What do the documents state?"

"That you understand the law, its rules, and that you apologize for breaking them. If you read this, I can ask the court for leniency in the matter and get your sentence reduced to a minor infraction. Once inside the court, you will apologize to the Victories, the court, and the citizens of this city. These are the people who you will be standing before at your trial. I can only help you if you do the things that I have instructed you to do. Do you understand all that I have told you?"

"Yeah," the woman said, turning her head slightly and staring at the floor.

"The proper term, Madame..."Lawyer O'Cuun said, staring directly at the woman. "Should be... Yes, I do understand all that you have told me, Lawyer O'Cuun."

"Yes, I do understand all that you have told me, Lawyer O'Cuun," the woman replied, raising her eyes, staring at him with contempt.

"Good," Lawyer O'Cuun replied, a smile slowly donning his face, it was slow and deliberate. His eyes intentionally found their way to the woman's private area and then back to her face. "And with that," he continued, his smile widening. "I can prepare you for your court case. You will be allowed the proper items to prepare yourself for the proceedings. Uniform dress shall also be provided you, care of the Victories. They have allowed this because they do believe that all citizens should have the right to look their best at any proceeding be it good or bad."

The Trial

The woman is awakened by a loud clanging on her cell door. "Rise and shine, sweety," a female voice said through a slot in the cell door. "You've got to get ready for your court case."

The woman is given a pair of slippers, a toothbrush, a towel, and a small plastic packet with a clear liquid in it. "That's body wash, sweety," the guard said, watching as the woman stared at the packet and its contents. "Squeeze it and the liquid comes out then you can wash yourself."

"You're lucky," the female guard said, smiling as she walked behind the woman. "It's just you in here today. Other times, this place is full to hilt with all kinds of miscreants. Bread stealers, chit robbers, and woman who just get a kick out of beating the hell out of other women."

The woman approaches the shower and then looks back at the guard.

"Oh, I have to stand here, sweety," the guard replied. "Make sure you don't swallow that whole packet or drink the contents thereof. This place'll make you do things you normally wouldn't do. That's why we're here, and that's why I have to stand here while you bathe."

The shower water hits the woman with a blast of cold water and then goes warm. She occasionally eyed the guard and noticed her as she rocked on her toes and periodically stared at her watch. But as she watched the guard, she could also feel another set of eyes on her. She could sense a presence, almost feel as if someone else was there watching.

"Come on, sweety," the guard said loudly. "Got to get movin."

The woman dried herself and dressed quickly. The guard accompanied her to a small dressing area where a rack with new clothes was placed in front of her.

"Welcome to phase two," the guard said as two women approached and bowed slightly. "These are the Helps," she continued, pointing to the two women. "The Victories have allowed them to bring you new clothing and even shoes. Oh, the clothes'll fit," the guard added, staring at the woman as she stared at the clothes on the rack. "Honey, they know everything about you," the guard added, waving her hand. "Go on and check those clothes out. You may choose anything on the rack, and whatever you choose to wear, is yours to keep, that is, if you're not found guilty or if you're given leniency.

The woman chose a pair khaki pants, a casual olive-green blouse and a pair of leather loafers.

"Going for the tom boy look, ay?" the guard said. "Pretty woman like you should go for a more fashionable look. Might get you out of here faster. You know how men think." the guard added with a half-smile. The Helps are gonna fix you up too," she continued. "Gonna fix your hair and apply your make up."

"l'll let them fix my hair," the woman replied. "But I'm not wearing any make-up."

"Might make them change their mind if you look nice," the guard replied, staring at her as if pleading.

"Let's go," the woman said.

Standing Before The Court

"Who do you present before us today, Lawyer O'Cuun?" A stout, middle aged man with a full beard asked as he stood with a group of twenty other men. Each one of the men was stern in their appearance. They all wore an indentical black shirt. The shirts were custom tailored, the collars and cuffs were thick and on the right pocket of each shirt, embroidered in pure gold, was the letter 'V'.

"I bring before you, defendant Kaplan Ann, Oh Great Victories," Lawyer O'Cuun replied.

"What has the defendant done?" Lawyer O'Cuun?" the stout man asked as the twenty looked on.

"She has broken a rule," Oh Great Victories"

"Name the rule that the defendant has broken."

She has broken the.... the never-say rule." Great Victories.

There is a murmur in the court room as the charge is revealed.

"That is a very serious offense," the stout man replied. "How does the defendant plead?"

"Gracious Victories," Lawyer O'Cuun begins, slightly bowing his head then raising it. "The defendant, Kaplan Ann, is prepared to read the Documents of Acknowledgment and Forgiveness, and is prepared to ask You, Oh Great Victories, the court, and the people of the city for leniency."

"So be it, it shall be allowed," the stout man replied. "All in the court may now be seated," he continued. "Defendant Kaplan Ann, you may proceed."

Lawyer O'Cuun hands the woman the two documents, then leans toward her ear. "You need to make some tears." he whispers.

The woman, standing firm, was poised. She inhaled deeply, exhaled, then spoke. "This whole court is a farce," she said, staring at the stout man and the twenty men seated before her. "And you're all a bunch of murdering, lying, bastards." Several loud gasps erupt within the crowd seated in court room as the woman continued. "52.... that's right, I said it 52! The court is in an uproar as the woman continued speaking. You murdered 52 people! People who stood for the common decency and the commonwealth of this city, and you and those twenty pieces of trash seated with you, took them away from us.

"Breach!!" the stout man shouted. "Breach!!" she has spoken the Never-say! he said pointing at her, his eyes wide with rage. "She has spoken the Never Say!"

"52 decent...human...beings...who stood for justice, liberty, and equality." the woman said, pointing her finger at the twenty men seated before her.

"Breach!! Breach!!" the stout man shouted again. "She has broken The One Rule. She has broken The One Rule. Breeeeeaaach!! Breach!! I say! Breach! Breach!"

The woman continued to speak as the stout man tried his best to shout over her. "Ted Matheson," she fired back against the stout man and his repeated shouting.

"Elizabeth Hingley, Martin Zuzanth, Aridel Martin, Kumau Asante, Lilian Hong, Koslov Czeckovsky, Smyth Wellesley, Huron Page, Dick Morton.

"Breach!!"

"Pierre Matin, Helen Sleuath, Peaches Martin, Tomeeka Johnson, Cantin Mardlesby, Rohan Smith, Catherine Maartin, Ish Bethuel, Alantra Kassley, Ever Perez,"

"Breach!! Breach!!"

"Alms Dalton, Bethea Bethune, Newton Hughes, LaLa Hamsini Na Mbili, Kurt Kurzweil, Christian Zargun, Thomas Welsh, Irene O'Hara, Mish Pasach Tony Ciardelli,"

"Take her!! Take her!! the stout man shouted. "Guards, Take her!!"

"Ma'am," a tall, well-built, Black man said, walking toward the woman slowly. "I'm asking you to stop."

"The woman ignored him and kept saying the names. "Zazael Guiltan, McTavish McKlingly, Chas Coletini, Borgata Piazzi, Ellis Jackson, Morris Boatman, Paulini Inamorato, Hatsuko Inoto, Pearl Richman, Pearl Ingam,"

"Ma'am," the man said, moving closer towards the woman, "I am asking you to stand down and come with me."

"Silence her now!" the stout man shouted, his voice becoming hoarse Breach!! Breach!! Guards, do your civic duty!!"

The tall, well built, guard, another male guard, and two female guards, approached the woman and tried to apprehend her. She side-kicked the tall, well-built, guard above the knee and dropped him. The other male guard, thinking that the woman was distracted, took the opportunity to rush in and tried to grab her. He was head butted on the bridge of his nose. He dropped to floor holding his nose moaning and rolling from the pain of the blow. One of the female guards tried to grab her from behind but was met with a back-kick to rib cage, repelling her backwards and to the floor. The woman kept saying the names.

"Mordechai Pearlman, Zion Weiss, Leon Franklin, Quanesha Belgrave, Arron Rutendale, Paige Sutton, Mendel Crane, Robert Oslow, Pater Günther, Khalife Furqaan,"

Mitchell Ranston, Bill Killingsworth

"52 people murdered senselessly, and for what? So you fat bastards could lull around and bleed the city dry? How much money have you stolen from the people, from the children? How many lives have you destroyed? How many graves are filled with the lifeless, rotted, decayed bodies of those that you deem a breach to this monstrous, restrictive, mentally destructive consequence that you called life, that you call a victory! You stole life from the very people who wanted to make this city great and equal. You stole it! You fat...lazy.... greedy... bastards... all of you. All of you!!

"Lawyer O'Cunn," A grey haired man within the twenty seated men said calmly, "Grab that woman, now."

Lawyer O'Cuun, huffing, and in a fit of rage, reached for the woman. He grabbed her hard by the arm and jerked her towards him. He was taken by surprise as the woman broke free from his grip, jumped up, and punched him hard on the jaw. There was a loud crack as the force of the blow jarred his head and caused him to lose his footing. He tried to regain his balance but fell hard against the wood floor. He rolled backwards and hit his head on a wooden podium.

The woman, angered and breathing heavily, stared at the 21 men standing before her. "Here's your victory, you fat bastards," she said, staring at them, slowly catching her breath. "This is for the 52 people you murdered."

With a running jump, she was in the box where the 21 men were seated. She punched two of them hard in the nose, breaking both. The force of the blows caused both men to fall backwards between the seats. She attacked two more, she punched both of them in the jaw hard enough to break them. She caught up to the stout man, grabbed him by his collar, and slammed him down. The stout man angrily reached out and tried to choke her, she broke his wrist and two of his fingers. The grey-haired man tried to grab her from behind and grip her in a bear hug but was too slow, she turned around and bit his face. She poked one man in his eyes, jumped over him and wrapped her hands around the throat. of the man standing behind him. The man watched in fear as the woman, her eyes filled with hatred, tried to strangle him. As she bore down on the man, she heard a loud pop, there was a slight ringing as she felt a dull pain on the left side of her head, and lost consciousness.

Sentencing

The woman woke up to find herself in a large cargo plane flying over the desert. She was strapped in a metal chair placed on a trap door. Her hands and ankles were bound and there was a black cloth gagging her mouth.

Lawyer O'Cuun, standing with seven guards, stared at the woman. He stared at her for several minutes before he spoke."

"Defendant Kaplan Ann," he said, struggling to speak through a wired jaw. "Because of your recent actions, you are no longer considered fit to live among this society. The Victories hereby sentence you to banishment."

"You and I could have had been good for one another," Lawyer O'Cuun said, his speech slow and strained. "I so admired watching your beautiful ivory skin as the water and soap slathered across and down it. I so wanted to hold it and slip my fingers in every crevice and hidden place. I had to relieve myself several times just at the thought of you. But, alas, all is at a lost. The Victories don't want to remember you or your name. The mere mention of you and that show you put on in court is punishable by death. Such a pity and such a waste of fine womanhood. Body like yours is hard to find anywhere in this day and age. Here is where it ends. You're to be dropped into the Sand Soars. May The Victorious Supreme Being have mercy upon your wretched soul."

The lever is pulled, the trap door opened, and the woman is dropped from the airplane. The chute automatically opened at 15, 000 feet.

The Beginning

"Welcome, Sister Kaplan Ann," a slim Black man said as two young women wipe the sand away from her. I am Tamlin Hale number, '53'. I escaped before the 52 were betrayed by Brother O'Cuun. We heard about what you did in the court room. We have much to teach and you and you have much to learn."