the responsibility he was about to bear. He looked at himself in the small mirror on the wall, adjusting the
collar.
He took a deep breath, centering himself. This was no longer theoretical. The lives and liberties of the
people on the other side of the door were in his hands.
There was a sharp knock on the door. 'Two minutes, Your Honor,' Jenkins' voice called out, respectful and
crisp.
rthur stepped out of his chambers and waited behind the partition. He could hear the low
murmur of the crowded courtroom. He closed his eyes, remembering the quiet solitude of the
room just a few hours prior, and the unexpected confrontation that had marked his first morning.
Suddenly, the loud, authoritative voice of Officer Jenkins rang out, cutting through the chatter like a
knife.
'All rise!' Jenkins bellowed, his voice filled with absolute command. 'The Circuit Court of the County is
now in session. The Honorable Judge Arthur Pendelton presiding. God save the State and this Honorable
Court!'
The sound of a hundred people standing up in unison filled the air. The rustling stopped. The whispering
ceased. The room fell into a respectful, expectant silence.
Arthur stepped out from behind the partition and walked up the three steps to the bench. He looked out
over the crowded room, catching Jenkins' eye for a brief moment. The bailiff gave a subtle, firm nod.
Arthur sat down in the large leather chair. He picked up his gavel, tapped it once on the sound block, and
spoke his first words as a judge. 'You may be seated. Call the first case, Martha.'