Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 59287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 296(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 296(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
“Sounds great. I’m ready.”
“What’s your highest level of education?”
“I have a master’s degree in Journalism.”
“Oh, wow,” she said. “That has to suck.”
“Huh?”
“Journalism in this day and age?” She shrugged. “Everyone just listens to podcasts and goes to social media for the news.”
Please don’t remind me…
“I mean, between you and me, I think universities should get sued for even offering a useless degree like that.” She laughed. “Don’t you?”
“Yeah, totally.” I feigned a smile, wishing I’d learned that lesson years ago.
“Do you have any specialized certifications?”
“No.”
“Have you ever committed a crime?”
“Um…” I looked over at the cops who were now taking a seat directly across from us. “Can you repeat that question?”
“Have you ever committed a crime?” She enunciated every syllable.
“Committed or been convicted?” I asked. “You have to be specific.”
She arched a brow. “Been convicted.”
“Not yet.” I lowered my voice. “Time will tell, though...”
She served me a blank stare.
“Just kidding, just kidding.” I let out a nervous laugh. “No crimes, unless you want to count a few traffic violations?”
“I don’t.” She eyed me warily before scribbling on her clipboard. “Those don’t count at all. Is there anything else special you want me to take into consideration, Miss Spencer?”
“No, but I’m willing to work extremely hard and be the best employee you’ve ever seen.”
“In that case, I hope we can make this work.” She extended her hand. “I have a few more interviews today, and I’ll let you know by Saturday if you’ve been chosen to be our new Patty Queen!”
I shook her hand and realized that this was my life’s rock bottom.
After sliding out of the booth, I walked to my apartment’s parking lot—looking over my shoulder to make sure the police weren’t following.
When I made it to my car, I slid behind the wheel and spotted a small white device with a straw attached right next to my ignition.
Sighing, I turned the key, but the engine didn’t crank.
Instead, the new box sounded with a series of ugly beeps.
“Please blow into the interlock device,” it warned. “Until the light turns red or green.”
You’ve got to be kidding me…
I leaned forward and blew into the straw, waiting for the light.
“Your blood alcohol level is 0.00!” The box exclaimed. “Driving permission is granted!”
The car cranked, and I grabbed the gearshift, but it didn’t allow me to move into “drive.”
A second device, a small cell phone that was now attached to one of my vents, flashed and I was now face to face with a pre-recorded video.
“Driving is a privilege, not a right.”
Those words faded away, revealing Judge Ashton in his robe.
Smiling, he was sitting behind a desk, staring right at me.
“Hello, Defendant.” He smiled. “It’s me, the honorable Judge Ashton, again.”
“To keep you in compliance with my ruling, and to force you to slow down and think about your decisions, this video will play every time you start your car for the next twenty-one days—as that’s exactly how long it takes to form a new habit.”
Still holding his smug smile, he hesitated for several seconds.
“You’re very welcome for this lesson, and the drivers on the road will thank you for your cautious driving,” he said.
“By the way...” He hesitated once more—this time for what felt like an entire minute. “I reserve the right to extend this time as I see fit. Drive safely and enjoy this privilege.”
The screen flashed black and my gears unlocked as I let out a frustrated scream.
I’ll proudly serve whatever prison time I get…
MEDIATION (N.):
THE ATTEMPT TO SETTLE A LEGAL DISPUTE THROUGH ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF A THIRD PARTY (MEDIATOR) WHO WORKS TO FIND POINTS OF AGREEMENT AND MAKE THOSE IN CONFLICT AGREE ON A FAIR RESULT.
LIAM
One Week Later
Knicks4Life
Yo. EFF this judge and the high horse he rode into court on.
He gave me 40 hours of community service AND a $500 fine for pissing in an alley!
Juror765
But like…Why were you pissing in an alley?
Harlem8s
If it’s any consolation, I heard someone took a sledgehammer to his cars last week.
Knicks4Life
Pics or it didn’t happen…
Harlem8s
I work at his condo building. It’s true. He was PISSED. [image] [image] [image]
Knicks4Life
Couldn’t have happened to a nicer person.
Maybeth568-2
SEEEEEE?!
THIS is exactly what I was talking about!
Maybeth568-2
The stupid moderators tried to silence me, but it’s clear that VENGEANCE is on ALL our minds! Who wants to burn down his chambers with me this weekend?
User Maybeth568-2 has been banned from the group for terrorist threats.
Ilogged out of the thread, still beyond “pissed” about the damage to my cars. According to my insurance company, they wouldn’t be fixed for at least six weeks.
I’d mentally drafted a long list of ways to punish Olivia for this—because the extra device in her car wasn’t enough—but none of my ways seemed fitting enough.
They were also illegal as hell…
“Maybe I should let her get a taste of prison…” I muttered under my breath.
“Sir, you have to stop looking at those Reddit threads.” My bailiff, George, stepped into my chambers with a file. “I can assure you that no one is stupid enough to attack you in a courthouse.”