Life without parole

"We have now reached sentencing in the Superior Court," the judge began, "can the defendant please rise and approach the bench?"

Nervously, Alice stood and got up to her podium, her attorney's head shaking behind her.

"The defendant has pled guilty to the offenses, and has signed a plea agreement with the People," the judge began.

Alice nodded along to the judge's words.

"But," the judge continued, "it has come to the attention of the court that the defendant's actions have had quite serious consequences. Another student in the classroom suffered an aortic aneurysm upon the sight of the defendant's nude body, and succumbed to his injuries. This case is now a homicide."

Alice's heart fell. That poor guy!

"Given the facts of the case, and the defendant's guilty plea, I can find no other verdict that the defendant is guilty of such wanton recklessness as to constitute malice aforethought in her undressing and thus be guilty of first-degree ****. Given this, and that the defendant is an adult, I hereby sentence her to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for each count, to be served consecutively."

Alice's face turned ashen as her attorney sighed. Did she hear that right? Spending the rest of her life behind bars in bland white and gray rooms!!! How could this happen to her? She was scared of a class presentation, but in general had a promising life ahead of her with summer break and a college scholarship. Now that was all plucked away from her, and all she had to look forward to were weekly specials in the prison cafeteria - assuming she could keep avoiding the chaotic prison-yard politics for the rest of her life!!

"I must now remit you to the custody of the Department of Corrections," the judge interrupted Alice's chaotic thoughts.

With that, a cop took Alice by the arm.

"No no no no no!" Alice shouted at the top of her lungs, "please, please, please don't do this!!!" as her attorney gestured to shut her up.

"Excuse me, that is contempt," the judge glared at Alice angrily, "you're doing a fine job of adding to your sentence."

Alice at this point didn't care, especially if she was already dead to the world outside.