Court Chaos

The two women looked ridiculous but supremely happy and confident

"Sure you don't want to settle?" asked Gloria. "If we go to court, it'll cost you even more."

I looked at Haylee. "Will you admit you cheated on me and only loved my money, not me."

Haylee shrugged and smirked.

"She's not talking," said Gloria. "Shall we?"

I knew I could not bring my hypno-gun into court, but I also knew I would not need it when the triggers kicked in.

Initial divorce hearings were not in the full courtroom in this jurisdiction. It was a small room with a judge's bench and a small row of benches. Since we were the first case, it was just the judge, the clerk, and bailiff, and all three were stunned when the saw how Haylee and Gloria were dressed.

"What is this?" Asked Judge Fuller.

"Your honor?" asked Gloria.

"Do you think you're dressed appropriately for court? Both of you?"

Haylee and Gloria looked at each other and shrugged. "What's wrong?" asked Gloria.

"Counselor," said the judge. "you better have some good reason for this."

"Your honor, I really don't understand."

"Hold them in contempt," I said, emphasizing that last word as it was the trigger.

Haylee and Gloria blinked a few times then looked at each other with new eyes.

"Why are you dressed like a hooker?" Gloria asked Haylee.

"Me? I'm dressed fine. Look at you! You're dressed liked some sort of jailbait clown!"

"You the lying whore who cheated on your husband!" said Gloria.

"Order!" said the judge as he banged his gavel.

"You told me to lie," said Haylee. "You said the judge is too dumb to know lies from truth, you idiot!"

"ORDER!" the judge gavelled again.

"Your honor," I said. "I think I should meet with those two in private. We can clear this up, and come back. Can we have a continuance?"

"Good idea," said Gloria.

"Maybe I can find an honest lawyer," said Haylee.

"Hmph! That's ironic coming from you."

"One more word from each of you, and I'm holding you in contempt!" bellowed the judge. "I'm granting the continuance. He turned to the clerk.

After the clerk found the first open court date, the hearing was rescheduled, and Haylee and Gloria agreed to meet with me in private at Gloria's office.

On the way out the court, Gloria and Haylee kept insulting each other, especially how the other was dressed.

We arrived at Gloria's offices at the same time, and I enjoyed the stunned looked that Gloria's employees had when the saw how their boss was dressed, but no one dared said anything. We went into Gloria's office and closed the door, so we were alone.

Gloria sat at her desk, Haylee sat in a leather chair in front of it with her arms crossed and looking up at the wall, and I sat next to her. "Listen to me," I said. That was the second trigger, and each would not believe anything I said without question.