THE SEX REBEL OF JESUSLAND, chapter 129

129. THE VERDICT.

A fly settled on the TV screen as Adam is watching. The judge. The court. The prosecutor. The defense attorney. Eve.

The jury troops in. They are ready to give their verdict. The camera cuts to Eve. She sits stone-faced. What is she thinking? Adam waits for the smile on her face when she realizes that she is free and that her ordeal is over. He is waiting for her outside in a bar; watching the scene on TV, ready to sprint to the court after he has seen her reaction. For some reason he cannot stand to enter the court on this last day. He was only able to be in court the first day, and thereafter followed the trial on TV. He is afraid he will interrupt the proceedings by leaping across the benches to take Eve in his arms if he sits in the court.

The jury foreman stands. Behind and to his left sit the members of the jury, including the single female. Their faces reveal nothing. They look at their foreman.

The foreman reads:

“On the charge of murder, we find the accused guilty of murder in the first degree.

“On the matter of extenuating circumstances, we find no extenuating circumstances.

“On the matter of sentencing, we recommend the death penalty.”

He sees Eve faint. He sprints across the street and enters the courthouse. He runs to the door. A cop confronts him.

“Sir …”

He knocks the man down and barges into the court. He sees Eve in the hands of two cops, being led away. He shouts.

“Eve!”

She looks up.

“Eve!”

She sees him. Hands grab him and hold him back.

“Eve!”

She shouts back.

“Adam!”

He hears her voice. He is pulled down. He cannot see her anymore. She saw him, her mouth shouted his name, her eyes were full of fear. He is on the ground, his arms pinned. He hears his name, again.

“Adam!”

Then nothing.