"Ally McFeel" [for Jamie Stringer]

[brad_chase]

"He’s going to know I’m not just a BIMBO."

Mercedes Clover was whining again and Brad breathed deeply, centering himself while they waited for the defendent and his counsel in the conference room. It was becoming clear why Ms. Clover's movies lacked dialogue. "He, like, has to respect me. Give me MY money and, yeah, say I'm smart. In front of

Comments

[jamie_stringer]

At a certain age it seems that some men develop an uncanny ability to hit on women without appearing vulgar and with little consequence. So I barely react to Mr. Lee's "Honey you look cute enough to - " and remain completely professional and nonplussed as I instruct him "Mr. Lee, it's best if you don't refer to women as ___ in front of the jury. And your relationship with Ms. Clover is of little consequence. The details do not need to come out - ." The door opens.

Damn!

[brad_chase]

"What the - " I swallowed involuntarily, setting a precedent-ending stop to my recent propensity to curse when surprised. We stood, looking at each other for twenty, thirty minutes. When I started breathing again, all that had happened was her client had made it to his chair. I grabbed her elbow, then immediately dropped it like a hot potato.

"Ms. Stringer. This is your case?" That'd probably go down as the most unnecessary thing I'd ever said to her since we were...

I pulled my thoughts back to the porn star and her former lover. Great, I thought. Our first case together and it's about sex.

[jamie_stringer]

The feel of his fingers on my elbow lingers and makes me forget whatever hard ass thing I was about to spit at my "opposing counsel." Why did the damn stipper have to go to Crane Poole and Schmidt? On the other hand, what stripper wouldn't go to Crane Poole and Schmidt?

"My client refuses to settle. He has done nothing wrong. The concept for "Stripperella" (and I accentuate the quotes)was his and his alone. Your client has no evidence whatsoever that the alleged conversation in the alleged strip bar ever took place and I've reviewed your evidence counsel, and it's clear that any judge will dismiss this case immediately on the grounds there is no merit . . . "

And my words trail off into the rehearsed harangue I had luckily prepared and practiced ad nauseum the night before. I listen to myself coldly spewing out what I had rehearsed, all the while watching his eyes, trying to read him, pretending this is all normal, trying to stay focused on what I'm saying, trying really hard not to . . . laugh.

[brad_chase]

"Scumbag!"

"Tramp!"

Our clients volley of shots was a lucky break. Their animosity overrode our staggered start. Well, my staggered start. Jamie was fired up. Found it kinda hot. I raised an eyebrow and thought I caught a suppressed smirk. "Excuse me one moment, counselor," and I turned back to our clients just in time to duck a fushia-sequined handbag.

"HEY! Cut that out." Walking back around the table, I picked up my legal pad and then slammed it back down on the table, stopping their barrage mid-epithet. "Let's take our seats and see if we can't relax and toss around a few scenarios." I held out Mercedes chair, she squeaked and pouted, then sat down, adjusting her bra.

"Ms. Stringer? Mr. Lee? Your position on this is very disappointing."