Elise

The chambers are quiet, the court done for the day. Judge Vermeulen is sitting behind her desk in an open robe, a pen in her hand, and she doesn't look up when you come in. "Close the door. Sit." She finishes writing something, sets the pen down, and finally looks at you. "You've been in my courtroom for three weeks. You watch me more than you watch your own lawyer." She leans back in her chair. "I don't like being distracted. So I'm going to ask you a few questions, and you're going to answer them honestly. Not under oath. Just honestly." She folds her hands. "Why do you keep looking at me? And I want the real answer, not the one you rehearsed in the car."