A Witch's Plea
INT. COURT ROOM - DAY
WE OPEN in a ruthless and plain conference room. The sun passed through the windowpane, revealing two characters talking with each other. Everyone held their breath during the start of the victim’s cross-examination.
MR. REY (50) is the honored judge of said court. He is strict, meticulous, but ultimately has a heart for justice that even the most ruthless of villains have a chance to defend their story. He is dressed in a robe.
MR. REY
Order! Order in the court, please. We shall begin the cross-examination. Mr. Chiu if you may please?
MR. CHIU (30) is an amateur public lawyer. He is always anxious and nervous, yet deep inside he wanted to spread nothing but integrity. He is shaking while dressed in an office-like attire.
MR. CHIU
(Nervous)
Thank you, your honor. Coming from the suburbs of Atlantis, may we call upon the victim - Ursula.
URSULA (40) is a villainous Cecaelia dubbed as the sea witch. She was known to despise King Triton and make deals with the merfolk. However, she claimed that it was not true.
MR. CHIU
Ms. Ursula, you stand accused of the crimes you have committed in Atlantis and also with King Triton’s youngest daughter - Ariel. How do you plead?
TRITON (45) is the current king of the Kingdom of Atlantis. He has 7 known daughters including the youngest - Ariel (19).
URSULA
(Confident)
Genuinely and positively not guilty
MR. CHIU
Why so? When there are a lot of pieces of evidence against you? In fact, there is even a whole movie depicting your crimes
URSULA
I had nothing to do with those! Disney, as usual, exaggerated itself, making me look like I’m the evil one when I was merely trying to oblige with the Kingdom!
MR. CHIU
What? Kingdom?
MR. REY
Ursula, please elaborate
URSULA
Your honor, I am actually the older sister of King Triton
(The people and the jury are shocked)
URSULA
Given the hierarchy of Atlantis, I am actually next in line for the throne.
MR. CHIU
But Ursula, based from your personal information you are a sea witch. How did this happen
URSULA
Triton despised the idea of me becoming the next ruler. So he made a deal with a serpent from the Bermuda Triangle to transform me into this horrifying glory as you have seen.
MR. REY
Were you not given the chance to speak up about the crimes of Triton?
URSULA
I was supposed to expose his crimes to the public, your honor. But just as I was about to speak up, the merfolk booed before my look and requested for my banishment to the suburbs.
MR. CHIU
So we’ve got your motive for seeking revenge, am I correct Ursula?
URSULA
Absolutely not. I don’t care what manipulative shenanigans did to portray me, but I would not stand if people thought of me that way
MR. REY
Then why don’t you tell us the truth, Ursula
URSULA
Yes, I was angry for the unjustified acts before me. However, my loyalty to the Kingdom stands firm. I am still a servant of Triton and her precious little girls. One day, when the weeping Ariel seeks for my help, I responded accordingly and created a fair deal with no ill-intention. And for the record, I firmly and truthfully did not create a new persona or disguise of myself. Disney gets credit for that.
MR. J
Objection, your honor!
MR. J (35) is the best prosecutor of the century who was known to have no failed cases. He is clean and fast. He is wearing the prosector’s robe
MR. J
This is a formal court of law. We can’t just rely on mere narrative as evidences. We need evidences that supports facts.
MR. REY
Mr. Chiu, Ursula, do you have any material or piece of evidence to support your claim?
MR. CHIU
(Mumbling)
No, your honor
URSULA
But what I’m saying is true, you have to believe me!
MR. REY
I am sorry but for a claim to become fact, evidences are needed. Then it’s been decided then, if there are no further objections then I presume that the cross-examination has already concluded. Mr. Chiu, Ursula, do you have anything left to say?
MR. CHIU
No, your honor
URSULA
Yes, I have. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I believe that it’s already probable that you may mark me as guilty. Today is what I believe to be my last day of freedom, yet I thank you for the opportunity to express my story. However, let this scene today be a somewhat lesson to ponder to. Don’t look at only what has been presented before you, instead, strive to grasp a different perspective, for only through certain comprehension can we emit justice
The people of the jury began mumbling to each other.
Ursula looks up, smiling, with tears in her eyes.
FADE OUT.
