Gotham Memoirs: 3-5 Another Crisis

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Councilman Harris sues the Gotham Times after my article is published. While we stand ready with our evidence, something unexpected happens before the trial...

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Transcript

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• All-nighters are always tough, and this time it is no different.
• We worked through the night to publish the report on the Councilman in today's papers.
• Just as we are about to leave, Mr. Kane summons us into his office.

• George Kane: So, what's the reason for doing this?

• You: We didn't mean to go behind your back, Mr. Kane. If time allowed for it, we would've consulted you first.

• George Kane: Not that it would matter. As publisher, Davis would have the final say anyway.

• George Kane: But to spread lies during the election to create sensationalism...

• George Kane: Have the two of you forgotten about out stance here at Gotham Times?

• You: Everything that we wrote was learned via our investigations, Mr. Kane.

• Edmund Davis: I understand the news may seem inconceivable, Kane. But there is truth behind it.

• Kane stays silent. He refuses to believe that Councilman Harris has something to do with the Mafia and the missing children.
• Edmund Davis: Well, government officials have been found colluding with the Mafia before.

• Edmund Davis: How can you be so certain that Councilman Harris is innocent?

• George Kane: Fine. Even if it's true, do you have the evidence to back it up?

• You: Actually, we've--

• Before I can give him an explanation, the phone on Mr. Kane's desk starts ringing.
• George Kane: You're speaking to George Kane of the Gotham Times.

• I don't know who is on the other end of the line but Mr. Kane is visibly nervous.
• I eye Mr. Kane suspiciously, and he motions for the both of us to leave his office.

• After leaving his office, Davis and I discuss ways to present our findings to Mr. Kane.
• But before we even manage to gauge the public's reaction to the news or convince Mr. Kane, we find ourselves facing an even bigger crisis...

• You: A lawsuit?

• George Kane: Councilman Harris has sued you and the newspaper for defamation.

• George Kane: He has also sent in a request for an expedited trial to the New York Supreme Court.

• George Kane: The trial will take place in two days.

• We expected a lawsuit at some point but this is way too soon.
• When I look at Davis, there is not an ounce of worry or fear on his face.
• He even pretends to heave a sigh.
• George Kane: This isn't the time for this, Davis!

• George Kane: It was Bla--, I mean, Councilman Harris' secretary on the phone. He is willing to rescind the lawsuit if we publish an apology.

• Edmund Davis: That won't be necessary.

• George Kane: Be honest. Do you have evidence to back up what you've reported?

• You: Of course!

• You: The evidence cannot prove Councilman Harris' direct involvement, but he is definitely linked to all of this!

• George Kane: Sigh... Do you have a plan for the trial?

• You: While we may lack conclusive evidence, it is not going to be a one-sided affair.

• You: In fact, we may be able to get a witness to testify on our behalf.

• You: So there's nothing to worry about, Mr. Kane.

• Davis and I smile at each other. Nothing more needs to be said.
• George Kane: In that case, I wish the two of you the best of luck.

• We decide to submit Rossi's testimony, Taylor's file, and information related to the Gotham Charity School as evidence in court. Mrs. Ivanova will also testify in court as a witness.
• With everything in place, the only thing Davis and I an do is to anxiously await the trial.

• On the day of the trial, I arrange to meet Davis at the office to pick up the evidence before leaving for the court.
• You: I cannot afford to show any signs of weakness in court. Everything, including my outfit, has to be perfect.

• Edmund Davis: Are you ready, Elizabeth?

• You: Yeah. Let me get the evidence and we can go.

• I open the safe to retrieve the evidence.
• You: (...Aren't they supposed to be in here?)

• You: (There's no way we can win the trial without them!)

• Davis sees me staring at the safe and decides to take a peek inside.
• Edmund Davis: It's gone!

• You: I-I remember keeping them in here...!

• Edmund Davis: Calm down. They could just be misplaced. Let's search the office first.

• We search the entire office but we still can't find the evidence.
• We grow desperate as the time of the trial approaches.
• You: This doesn't look good, Edmund! The trial is starting soon!

• Edmund Davis: How did it come to this...

• It is difficult to stay positive when facing such odds.
• Without any evidence, we no longer have the upper hand. What should we do during the trial?

• New York Supreme Court
• The courtroom is packed with people since it is an open trial.
• And Councilman Harris is overwhelmingly popular in New York.
• The crowd must be disappointed. Only his secretary, Mr. Blake, is present.
• Accompanying him is one of New York's most renowned attorneys, Robert Brown.
• Clerk: Case of Steven Harris versus Gotham Times is in session. Judge Hobbes presiding. All rise.

• Judge: We can begin if there are no problems with the evidence submitted.

• Edmund Davis: The police files and school information that we originally planned to submit...

• Edmund Davis: ...We are unable to provide them at the moment, Your Honour.

• Robert Brown: The defendants have no way of proving their innocence, Your Honour.

• You: Please wait, Your Honour! We wish to call upon a witness!

• You: The witness' daughter is a student at Gotham Charity School that has mysteriously disappeared.

• Judge: You may call your witness to the stand.

• I look at Mrs. Ivanova hopefully as she walks to the stand.
• She has a look of fear in her eyes. It's probably just nerves, this being her first time in a courtroom.
• Judge: Please begin your testimony, Mrs. Ivanova.

• Ivanova: I-I... I don't know what to testify about...

• Mrs. Ivanova mumbles, confusing both Davis and me.
• You: Stay calm, Mrs. Ivanova! All you have to do is tell them how you lost Lilia.

• Something is wrong. She keeps shaking her head and refuses to look at us.
• Ivanova: L-Lilia is fine... Not missing...

• You: What are you saying, Mrs. Ivanovn?! This isn't what you told me!

• Robert Brown: Please refrain from intimidating the witness. May I question the witness, Your Honour?

• With the judge's permission, Attorney Brown begins questioning Mrs. Ivanova.
• Robert Brown: Please try to relax, Ma'am. Is your daughter, Lilia, a student of Gotham Charity School?

• Ivanova: That is correct.

• Robert Brown: In that case... Can you tell us if Lilia is really missing?

• Ivanova: No... Lilia is... S-She is not missing...

• Robert Brown: I see. Why did you tell the defendant that your daughter is missing?

• Ivanova: S-She... Lilia was taken away by her father. I panicked and just said she's missing...

• Robert Brown: Just so we are clear. Your daughter, Lilia, has never been missing. Is that right?

• Ivanova: Yes... That is correct... She has never gone missing before.

• You: Your Honour! That... That isn't what she said to me!

• Robert Brown: There was no doubt in the witness' testimony, Miss Colvin. What else is there to dispute?

• Davis tugs on my arm to stop me.
• Robert Brown: Oh, right! May I call my witness to the stand, Your Honour?

• Judge: Yes, you may proceed.

• You: They have a witness? What is Councilman Harris planning?

• While Davis and I are wondering, the witness enters the courtroom.
• You: W-What?!

• Robert Brown: Please state your name and occupation for the record.

• George Kane: My name is George Kane and I am the Chief Editor of the Gotham Times. I work with both Elizabeth Colvin and Edmund Davis.

• Robert Brown: Were you aware that the defendants were working on that news report?

• George Kane: They worked through the night to publish the article and made the decision without consulting me.

• Robert Brown: How do the defendants usually perform at work?

• George Kane: Like most reporters, they obsess over sensational news that would gain them readers and fame.

• Robert Brown: So you're saying that they both have a history of publishing news based on unfounded rumours?

• George Kane: That... That is true. I often have to revise their stories extensively before they go to print.

• Robert Brown: Your Honour! Clearly this is not the first time the defendants have done something like this.

• Robert Brown: As the publisher, Edmund Davis must have realised that with the election round the corner, it's an ideal time to release this controversial report.

• Robert Brown: That would explain his motive, Your Honour.

• You: Those are just your assumptions!

• Young Woman: That Chief Editor sure is righteous. I would want him to be my boss...

• Young Man: If I'm the judge, I would've declared those reporters guilty already!

• Old Man: Tsk tsk, shame on them. They're the reason why the newspapers have gotten from bad to worse.

• I'm still in shock at seeing Mr. Kane on the witness stand.
• The murmuring of the audience finally reaches me.
• I want to yell at them. To tell them what they're saying isn't true.
• But at this moment, the defendant table feels like it is miles away from the rest of the courtroom.
• Judge: Order in the court!

• Judge: The case will be adjourned to one week from now.

• Judge: If there is new evidence from either party, please submit them before the start of the next trial.

• Edmund Davis: Don't say that. You should give yourself more credit.

• Edmund Davis: It's your first time in court, after all.

• You: So you have been to court before?

• Edmund Davis: It has been a while... And it wasn't a pleasant experience. I'll tell you more about it in the future.

• I regain my composure after chatting with Davis for a while.
• You: What do you think happened to Mr. Kane and Mrs. Ivanova?

• Edmund Davis: They could have been bribed... Or it could be due to other reasons.

• You: Mrs. Ivanova may have her reasons but why would Mr. Kane do that? He lied about us in court!

• You: Is he really the same person I've been working with?

• Edmund Davis: Maybe we never met the real George Kane before today.

• You: He's probably the one who took the evidence from the safe.

• Edmund Davis: Yes. No one else would have known about them.

• I can't help but feel upset about the trust I placed in him. If only I was a bit more perceptive...
• The trial would have turned out a lot better.
• Edmund Davis: It's not your fault.

• Edmund Davis: I failed to notice it too, right?

• Looking at Davis' serious and gentle eyes, I can't help but nod my head.

• If we want to clear our names, we will have to gather enough evidence before the next trial.