Snippet #2465290

"Guilty!" the judge boomed, and Mr. George MacArthur felt his gut drop into his feet. He shuddered before the judge continued to speak. "You, George Leonard MacArthur, are hereby sentenced to 40 years in the Rocourt Penitentiary for the murder of Mr. Drake Zatorim with a rigged timepiece," the judge explained. Mr. MacArthur was quickly restrained by authorities.

"I told you I didn't do it! It was all my apprentice, Martin!" the old white bearded man exclaimed. "I told you he broke into my shop and he rigged the watch! Why would I want to kill anyone, especially those who keep this old man out of the streets?!" he exclaimed. To a child watching, which there probably weren't many, it seemed that Santa Claus was being arrested, but due to the lack of children's tears, it didn't seem they were present or aware. A lawyer with combed hair and a plain suit stepped forward, a burn scar on his left cheek and a pair a spectacles set across his nose.

"Mr. MacArthur, there were no signs of forced entry, and you terminated Mr. Teivel's employment a month ago. How could he have possibly done this?" the lawyers asked.

"He swore revenge upon me for replacing him! Please! You must believe me!" Mr. MacArthur shouted, pulling his hardest against the much stronger policemen. The police then began to escort him from to the prison. "I didn't kill the man!" he shouted just before the doors shut and the courtroom fell silent, most of Rocourt sitting in the quiet courtroom.
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"And let me tell you ladies, regardless of whether or not Mr. MacArthur goes free, he's never gonna see another man walk in that store. It would be easier for him to just go to prison," Martin Teivel smiled, a pirate girl under each of his arms. The girls smiled at him, then at one another.

"You're so cold and ruthless, Martin..." one of the girls smiled. "You should come with us. You'll fit right in! Our captain will love a man who's smart and evil..." she grinned, running a finger over his chest. Smiling, Martin chuckled.

"I was looking for an excuse to leave town anyway," he nodded, laying back and enjoying his moment of victory.