#15 Lawyerbots

| November 16, 2011 | 0 Comments

 

Universe/Storyline: The Band

Universe details: In the isolated city of Crescent where these characters live, superpowers spring from close encounters with death. Only people born in the city can gain these powers, and since this is a relatively new settlement, the first generation of people born there are just starting to show signs of super-fication. This means mostly kids and teens. Of the teens, Camille, Max, Amelia, Walter, and Rin decide to team up and form a band. They take it upon themselves to realizes that everyone deserves to be informed about the city’s unique predicament, they try to reach every kid in the city at once by putting on a live concert.

In contrast with the Future Cops, everyone knows a Lawyerbot is a robot. It’s impossible not to notice. The thing looks like a trash can on treads with a fax machine on top. It doesn’t speak, but rather spits a printed memo at you for you to read.

 

It is not clear why the adult citizens of Crescent allow anyone to be defended in court by one of these machines. Sure, they’re programmed with all the necessary legal background, they’re cheaper than a human lawyer, and have markedly less ‘personality’, but these bots don’t know how to find a loophole at all. If it seems like you’re guilty, the bot will barely try to defend you. The city provides these bots to defendants who can’t afford legal fees.

 

Here’s a little scene introducing Max and his lack of respect for authority, involving the obnoxious Lawyerbot:

 

 

INT. COURTROOM- DAY

A juror rises from the jury box to read a verdict.

JUROR

We find the defendant: guilty.

The courtroom is silent. No tears or moans of sadness. No acknowledgment at all from the crowd or the defendant. Just silence. Then, a yawn.

Max slouches so low in the defendant’s chair that only his head can be seen above the table in front of him. His legs are outstretched beyond the table to show off the bright orange Converse high tops he’s wearing with his tie-less suit. His arms pop out from behind the table in a stretch and then he rights himself, resting his elbows on the table nonchalantly.

MAX

Did I miss something?

The jury member looks at him in shock and then turns to the judge, who is staring at Max menacingly.

JUDGE

Because you’re being tried as an adult, your sentence will be served in a federal penitentiary.

MAX

Oh, guilty, there’s a surprise.

Max folds his arms behind his head and leans back in his chair. The crowd mutters disapprovingly.

JUDGE

If you are suggesting some bias in my ruling, Mr. Cardiff, you can take your case to the court of appeals.

Max violently gets out of his seat.

MAX

Stop calling me “Mr. Cardiff” alright? My name is Max. And how am I supposed to appeal my case when I don’t even have a lawyer?

JUDGE

You’ve been provided a lawyer–

MAX

That’s not a lawyer! That’s a god damn robot!

A metal box on treads beside Max spits out a sheet of paper like a fax machine. Max reads it.

MAX

You have not acted in my best interest!

JUDGE

Bailiff, take Max to his cell.

The BAILIFF grabs Max and drags him away. Max struggles to no avail. He yells out at no one in particular.

MAX

Just because I’m different, you think you can put me away? Well your stupid jail doesn’t stand a chance. You can take your crappy justice system, your future cops, and this whole freakin’ city and shove it right up your–

The heavy doors between the courtroom and holding slam with finality.

Category: 2011, Superhero

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