Red-Eye (fiction) (344 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.33 on 6 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by safeway_security (View user info) at 2005-10-25 01:46:36 EDT
I used to walk home from work. I live only a few blocks from the bus station so I had decided to save gas and take the bus to work every Thursday.
I work as a criminal defense attorney. My job was essentially lying through my teeth for thugs that don't deserve it. I remember every case I've ever won or lost. Every single person I defended either got a reduced sentence or was acquitted.
Ironic really...
I reached the bus station closest to the courthouse 2nd Street W. and 9th Street S. The usual graffiti covered the bench. Unperturbed, I sat down already used to the smell of rotting food and old Mc Donald's wrappers. 4:24 pm. I was early. I pulled out my briefcase and rifled through the papers until I found what I was looking for, the memo assigning me my newest case.
"Red-Eye Ernie" I read aloud mouthing his name. How am I supposed to defend someone when their name is "Red-Eye"? "Double homicide, two counts of assault, and six counts of involuntary manslaughter..."
~~~
"We have a problem here!" shouted the guard.
"What's going on? What's the problem?" asked the chief of police.
"Red-Eye just escaped!" said the guard, hysterically sobbing.
"I want maximum security! No one gets in or out! Understood?" order the chief.
"Yes sir!"
~~~
"...once escaped from a maximum security prison, killing three guards on the way." My reading was interrupted by a ringing noise. I will never become accustomed to the cell phone. Large and cumbersome, my cell phone is considered "top of the line". The feed almost always cuts out and is extremely choppy. Still, my job requires that I carry one at all times. I answered the call on the third ring. My boss, the assistant DA, was on the other end.
"We might need you back at the office; the police just reported that your new client has just escaped. The guards think that he is armed and dangerous. He was informed that you are his defense attorney hours prior to his escape. He may come looking for you. Be on your guard." At that the line went dead. So the man I'm supposed to be defending is after me? All I want to do is get home to my wife, Julianna.
I looked back at my watch: 4:31. The bus should be here by now. I packed my things away and sat quietly but urgently. I anxiously waited for the safety of public transportation. This mad man Red-Eye could be right behind me as far as I know, down some dark alley or behind a trashcan waiting to kill me. My fears abated when I saw the large 85 bus come to a halt in front of me.
"Need a lift?" asked the bus driver as he recited the first part of the joke.
"Yes and fast." I said quickly, disregarding the rest of the joke. I almost felt bad about my rudeness. Then Red-Eye flashed through my mind and all my regrets dissolved into fear. I looked down the rest of the bus. An old man sat directly to my left and two teenagers to my right. The next few seats were empty but behind them was another business man and a young woman. In the very back was a homeless man. I sat in a seat two rows the back, my briefcase clutched in my hands as if it would stop Red-Eye from finding me. Every stop we made I stared at the door, waiting for Red-Eye to burst in with a gun and shoot everyone on my account. Thankfully, that never happened.
After about ten minutes into the ride, a police cruiser stopped the bus. A gruffy looking policeman stepped onto the bus. He talked quickly to the driver then flashed him a picture. Good. They already have police looking for him. But to my shock and horror, the driver pointed directly at me.
I never got a picture of Red-Eye.
The cop walked quickly and with determination directly at me. My eyes widened as I saw him reach backward towards his handcuffs. I didn't do anything wrong! Why are they after me?! I dropped my things and ran full force into the cop. As soon as I had done it I knew it was the wrong move. Shocked the cop looked at me in anger.
"What the fuck man! You are so going to jail for that asshole" With that he kicked me hard in the chest. While he was distracted with me, the homeless man jumped up and tackled the policeman.
"Red-Eye!" I exclaimed. Then the realization of what had happened overtook me. The driver pointed behind me, at the homeless man. I would have sat there, feet away from the man who would kill me, until I got home. He would have followed me all the way to my house, kill me and then my wife. Julianna. Empowered by this revalation, I swung with all my might. My fist connected with Red-Eye's eye. I felt a sickening crunch as his ocular bone broke.
I was supposed to be defending this man.
I apologized to the officer and explained the situation to him. He wasn't very agreeable, after being tackled twice, but accepted the explanation. He released me without any charges.
5:01. Right on time. I burst through the door of my house, ran directly to Julianna and gave her a huge hug and kiss and just smiled. She smiled back still unaware of what could have happened.
My resignation papers in my briefcase were already filled out.
User Reviews
Submitted by STIXS (user info) at 2005-11-07 11:24:46 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Write these types of things more often...not opinions...you can't handle those too well.
Submitted by YELLOW-MAN (user info) at 2005-10-25 11:37:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by jeveuxgagner (user info) at 2005-10-25 02:25:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
i think you have a really nice style of writing, but the subject matter wasn't too great.
you should write something else, i bet it would be really good.
its just, why would an attorney be on a bus i mean, wtf? lawyers' children have their own cars: the lawyers themselves do not ride the bus. You could have explained why, but you didnt.
Also why would red eye want to kill the lawyer defending him.. it makes no goddam sense.
sorry the bus thing stuffed it up for me.
you coulda been like
"i've alwya loved riding the bus ever since i was a kid. It gives me a time to think and to relax. I am never catching the bus again..."
at the start. That would have solved it for me.
Submitted by Magic_Monkey (user info) at 2005-10-25 02:18:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
What kind of contacts do you have to wear to get that effect ?
Submitted by Zoidberg (user info) at 2005-10-25 02:04:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
hmmm
a bit rushed, but better then any of my fiction
Submitted by theshadypeach (user info) at 2005-10-25 01:49:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Not bad!