Big Smoke Vs 1960

“This is your last chance to back out Charlie”

The car rolled over a speed bump jostling the young man out of his musing. The brown haired square jawed man turned his violet eyes taking in the heavy-set lawyer sweating across from him. The young man named Charlie watched him sweat taking note of his twitching hands and the way he patted at his cheap blue suit.

“I told you to get serious about quitting” Charlie said his tone bored as he looked back down at the case notes in his hand “I can’t talk about a dangerous drug when my partner looks like an addict”

“Dangerous drug my ass” His partner said pulling a handkerchief out of his suit and patting at his sweaty forehead “Charlie give it up… You’re never going to convince a judge that a cigarette is dangerous”

“Oh Bill” Charlie said his eyes flickering back up to him for a second “I can convince anyone of anything”

Confidence emanated from Charlie the smug kind of confidence that was equal parts cocky and sure. He was a handsome man, with strong features to match his strong personality. His skin was pale but without a single blemish or mark that would distract from his handsome features. His eye were surprisingly honest deep pools of violet that were strange and exotic and drew you in, his hair was long kissing the bottom of his forehead and moving with every shake of his head. The suit he was wearing was nicer than his senior partner, tailored to his lean muscular body.

“If your so against this then sit out” Charlie said turning his wrist and checking his silver watch “I told the partners that I would bring this case home and that’s what I am going to do. Do you think the partners care if I go after big smoke? All they care about is the millions they can make in cash settlements”

“Until Big Smoke starts bribing everyone they can” Bill argued reaching for the finger of whiskey he had been nursing the entire car ride over. He took a large and unrefined gulp his adam apple bobbing up and down as he forced the liquid down.

“I am sure they have more important things to do” Charlie remarked waving off the concern “Their owner just died… whoever is taking the reins isn’t ready to deal with me and the loss of their captain”

“I heard it’s the daughter” Bill said as they turned another corner of Manhattan “Daddy left her the company”

“Even better” Charlie said smiling as he closed the folder in his lap and tucked it into his briefcase “Looks like we are here”

The reporters were already outside clutching their papers and notebooks or toting stenophones. They all turned at once chatting amongst themselves as the car pulled to a stop outside the court house doors.

“Why don’t you do what you do best Bill” Charlie said reaching out his nimble fingers plucking the tumbler out of Bill’s hand.

“Talk to reporters” He said winking at Bill as he tipped the drink back. He let the whiskey burn down his throat and he popped the door open sliding on his sunglasses as the reporters started with their barrage of questions.

“You can direct all questions to my partner Bill Putman” Charlie said nodding his head back at Bill as he scrambled to get out of the car “I have a court case to go get ready for”

He strode confidently up the steps ignoring the few questions still aimed his way. He moved into the building pushing the door open with his shoulder and walking across the clean marble halls. People watched him as he walked eyeing him with distaste and anger. He could see their minds working contemplating and trying to figure out how many millions of dollars they were about to lose because of him.
“It’s a lot” He called out as he continued down the hall and towards the hearing room. He chuckled to himself as they bristled with anger. The contempt in his eyes was clear, the way he felt about them even more clear. His mind filled with the images of the people he was representing hard working men and woman who were told to smoke even as it poisoned their bodies.

People like his father.

His hands shook with anger, his knuckles white on the handle of his briefcase. The fire in his belly burned with determination and anger. His pace quickened as he moved to the wooden double doors leading into the hall. He opened them stepping in as the doors swung back and the BOOM echoed off of the halls.

“I hope I am not late” Charlie said moving over to the prosecutions desk and placing his briefcase on the table.

“Shall we get this show on the road?”

"And remember regardless of what he says to bait you, you let me do the talking, alright?" her lawyer's face was as ashen as his suit. His career in law had been rolling along nicely for the last few decades. Sorting out the odd issue here and there for the tobacco giant he’d gone to work for straight out of law school and he had spent the last few years tying up loose ends. Planning his retirement. Plans which had all gone up in smoke when his employers discovered they were about to be sued for insane amounts of dollars in damages. He was the company lawyer so the job of organising their defence fell at his door, a challenge made all the greater by the fact that the person now running the company was a woman younger than his own children were.

"Fine," Clara Brandon replied quietly, forcing a rather tight smile onto her lips before pulling a small compact out of her purse and checking her makeup. She needed to look confident and hiding behind make up was the easiest way to cover up how exhausted she felt and looked.

She’d barely slept since her father’s funeral, or before it really. His recent death had propelled her into a role she’d known would be waiting for her one day but that she never really wanted. The family business needed a family member to head it and as his only living heir, the job came to her on his death. She was a figurehead, she knew that really and to be honest that role she could have coped with. The day to day running of the plantations, the factory and the shipping was never and would never be her domain. She was the ‘pretty new face’ of an old company and little more. Sealing deals with investors, appearing at events, maybe even posing for some advertising. She’d modelled a little in her teens and she knew how excited the advertising department was that the new ‘face’ was far more photogenic than her father's had been.

That was until this lawsuit came up and suddenly her face needed to be seen beside the defence council. She would be in the public eye daily until this case went away, and from what she understood that wasn’t likely to be any time soon. So she’d forced herself out of the black clothes that felt appropriate and into the pale powder blue that was the company’s colour.

Her Daddy had always worn a powder blue tie and her first car had been a powder blue Cadillac. The cigarettes that had paid for her college years and everything else she’d ever really known were sold in the same colour packets and so as she’d entered the court it was wearing a form fitting, knee length dress and tailored jacket that matched her eyes. He’d once told her it was her eyes, and her Momma’s, that inspired him to pick that colour for the packaging and to choose the name ‘Blue Sky’ for the company and brand.

Her long blonde hair was swept up into a professional looking style and thanks to a generous application of foundation and black eye liner she looked every part the tobacco tycoon she supposed she now was. She was Clara Brandon of Brandon’s Blue Sky and whether she liked it or not, agreed with it or not, this fight was hers to take on.

She was just patting a little powder across her nose as she heard the large heavy doors to the courtroom crash open and tried not to jump too obviously. One more glance in the glass to check the pastel pink colour she’d applied to her lips and then the compact was closed with a snap and pushed back into her handbag as the opposition lawyer drew level with their desk and slid behind his own.

She didn’t look at him. She daren’t. The makeup made her look good from a distance but she’d seen the fear and uncertainty shining in her eyes when she’d looked at herself in the mirror and she knew it would be beyond hurtful to their case to have it seen by those standing against them so early in the game.

“All rise,” a low baritone voice called out suddenly, causing everyone in the room to rise to their feet as the judge entered.

Clara wet her lips and resisted the urge to sneak a quick glance across at the prosecution.

“Don’t worry, today will be opening arguments and little else,” her lawyer assured her in a hissed voice as they were told they could retake their seats. “You probably won’t even have to open your mouth.”

“Who’s worried?” she whispered back, privately proud of how well she hid the nerves that were turning her insides to jelly.

He straightened his tie his eyes sweeping across the courtroom. The court room was empty which didn’t surprise him. The legislation and corporations would want as little a scene as possible. Charlie eye fell on the women seated with her lawyer and froze as he took her in. She was far prettier than he had expected and even though she didn’t look directly at him he could tell she possessed great bueaty.
It was to bad he was suing her.

“Are you ready for opening statements Mr….” The judge said an older man who peered at a sheet of paper on his desk with thick rimmed glasses.

“Mr. Richard” Charlie said stepping forward with a smile “Charlie Richard your honor… And yes I would love to”

He stepped forward bringing up the speech he spent the last three weeks preparing. He sent one prayer up to his dad before opening his mouth and beginning to speak.

“I come to you today to bring to light a glaring issue in America”” Charlie said looking at the judge and the assembled jury members “My studies have found that an estimated three percent of Americans die from lung cancer a year. My studies have revealed that the common factor in all of these deaths were that the victims were smokers”

There was a general murmur of discomfort at that. He could tell that the idea he was presenting made the jury uncomfortable. He gave each of them a long look connecting with them making them question before he continued.

“I have come today to prove that smoking is bad for the body” He said clearing his throat “I come with facts and scientific opinions. It is my goal today to make the world illuminated and stop this epidemic.”

He stopped there thanking everyone for their time. He moved back to his seat as the judge began setting times for everything and explaining what would happen moving forward. Charlie let Bill take over from there relying on him to convey the schedule and what evidence they would be presenting. After that a recess was called.

He got up and shrugged off his suit jacket. He draped it over his chair and moved out going outside and ignoring the pointed looks aimed his way. A passing cart offering liquor was presented and he went over pouring himself a scotch before pulling out his grandfather’s old pocket watch.

“I’m going to get a bite to eat” Bill said coming out “Want anything?”

“No thanks” He said waving him off. He took the tumblr of scotch and moved to one of the benches sitting down and leaning back as he watched the people move. Every so often he would take a sip from his scotch moaning in pleasure as the warm liquid ran down his throat.

"People die every day, ladies and gentlemen," Ron, her lawyer, began with the southern drawl in his voice emphasised for effect. He knew it made him seem approachable and somehow older than his years. A fact he hoped to use over the much younger opposition lawyer. "It's sad but true. It's a part of life itself. And the problem with my friend's case over there is that he's trying to blame a company for something that comes to all of us in the end. I just don't get it myself." The older lawyer shrugged theatrically.

"People die from crossing the street and getting hit by a bus, we gonna sue the bus companies now? Or the thousands of Americans killed every year in their cars, surely Ford must be facing hundred of lawsuits by now?"
Someone in the jury giggled and Ron felt a little of the icy panic melt from around his heart.

"I'm not saying that the deaths of these people are not tragic losses felt keenly by those that loved them but are they the fault of my client's company? That I'm not so sure."

Clara listened to both opening statements with a detached expression. She didn't want to listen to her defence because she knew it would be entirely made of smoke and mirrors, no pun intended, and she didn't want to listen to the prosecution because she was sure they were right. The money involved in this case though meant being right probably wouldn't be enough to win but that just made it all even worse somehow.

The judge called a recess after setting out the dates for the trial and everyone made the most of the chance to escape out of the stuffy courtroom and into the larger hallway or outside the building entirely.

"I need some food and a drink," Ron groaned, shoving his papers inside his briefcase. "Any preference on where we go?"

"No, I'm ok," Clara shook her head with a sigh, "I'm going to get some fresh air I think. Try to clear my head a little before we have to come back in here again."

"Tell you what, I'll bring you back a sandwich and a soda. You'll need your energy later even if you don't think you will right now." Ron insisted gently.

"If you like," she agreed, knowing she couldn't exactly argue with what was obviously common sense. He excused himself and scurried out of the courtroom, leaving her alone.

Slowly she let her eyes move around the room, taking in the polished wood, the sense of history leeching out of the walls. She wondered what acts of justice might have taken place in that very space, and felt a little sick when she considered how awful it would be to sit and watch that almost sacred space be used to pass incorrect judgement on this case. She knew the investors would not take defeat lightly and while she was kept well away from such things, she wasn't stupid, she knew there'd be bribes and backhanders changing hands at lightning pace behind the scenes. She felt dirty just thinking about it. It felt like a weight pressing down on her from all sides, as if somehow everyone knew. Everyone was judging her.

"I need to get out of here," she murmured, snatching up her purse and hurrying out of the room. Her heels striking a rapid rhythm on the floor as she shot out into the corridor. She walked through a huge cloud of smoke as lawyers congregated for a cigarette during breaks of their own cases, waving her hands and coughing, making a beeline for the doors leading outside. Barely looking left or right, just desperate to get out into the fresh air.

Once outside in the sunshine she headed away from the walkway that led up to the main doors and walked along the grass that surrounding the impressive courthouse before leaning against a tree and making the most of the shade it provided.

"Oh Daddy," she murmured to herself, looking up into the leafy canopy above her head, "I really don't think I can do this."

He watched them file out as he sipped his drink trying to gauge and get a feel for the room. The jurors came out first talking amongst themselves and looking slightly perturbed at the implication that smoking was bad for them. In his own way he felt sorry for them as well as the rest of the populace for what was to come. When he blew this thing wide open (and he would) there would be a lot of people taking a good hard look at what they were doing to their bodies. He knew some would quit and some wouldn’t but at least they wouldn’t be able to say they weren’t informed.

The defense came out next a fast-talking Lawyer he knew by reputation but never went up against. Charlie supposed he handled himself adequately in the court room but didn’t stand a snowballs chance in hell. Charlie was prepared for smoke and mirrors and would blast through them with cold hard facts.
Then there was her.

She walked out of the court room and he ran his eyes over her once more. Charlie took in her stocking clad legs and tasteful clothes and wondered what SHE thought of all this. She seemed off put by the whole thing more tired and resigned then brimming with anger. Was she a potential alley in this whole thing? It was her father’s company and she no doubt felt a need to fight for it but the question was did she want to?

He got up passing the tumbler to a colored man in charge of the bar. He made sure to tip him well having never been the kind of man to stand on such stigma’s like race. He thanked the man for his time and moved to follow her his head down as her lawyer spoke to her a few minutes. When he moved away he continued to follow her waiting until they were alone to clear his throat and make his presence known.

“I think your daddy would be proud of you” He remarked hearing her words and blushing awkwardly “I didn’t mean to overhear you but I thought I should introduce myself. My name is Charlie and I’m the one that’s uh suing you”
He stuck out her hand waiting for her to shake it before continuing.

“I hope there is no hard feeling” He told her his tone polite “I don’t have anything against your family and your company. My plan is to make all of the big smoke companies accountable. I am sure it sounds wrong coming from me but I promise my issue is not with you.”

“I think your daddy would be proud of you.”
The unexpected voice made her jump and look down quickly.
“I didn’t mean to overhear you but I thought I should introduce myself. My name is Charlie and I’m the one that’s uh suing you."
As he introduced himself her shocked expression quickly gave way to something harder when she realised who was stood before her, their hand extended before them. She didn't shake it. She was torn between raising her hand to slap the smiling face before her won and just walking away. She didn't disagree with the principles of his case - far from it in face - but still, she was a Brandon before anything else and her father's life's work was at stake here. She needed to stand up for herself, and the company, whether she liked it or not.

“I hope there is no hard feeling, I don’t have anything against your family and your company. My plan is to make all of the big smoke companies accountable. I am sure it sounds wrong coming from me but I promise my issue is not with you.” He continued smoothly.

"No hard feelings?" she replied after a pause, privately proud of how level she managed to keep her voice. "That's an interesting hope you have there, Mr Richard." Her tone incredulous as she looked into his face, ignoring the handsome features and looking straight into his eyes. Determined to find the proof within them that he was the villain she needed him to be but all she found was calmness in the lilac toned pools that stared back at her. Not wanting to be caught staring in his eyes she coughed and looked away.

"You say your issue is not with my or my family but then why single us out for this trial, hmm?" Her head tipped to the side slightly and her hands rose to rest lightly on her hips. "There are tens of tobacco companies so why pick us out of the crowd. Wouldn't be because we're the best selling brand in the state, if not the country, would it? Oh yes, I'm sure your cause is very noble. Noble and avaricious."

She smoothed her dress down, although it was already hanging immaculately, and smiled as sweetly as she could. As sweetly as her Daddy taught her to.

"We'll see, Mr Richard, who has the hard feelings when all of this is through." She made to step around him. "We probably shouldn't be speaking to each other anyway, not while the trial is going on. Wouldn't want the press to get the wrong idea, I'm sure your backers wouldn't be overly pleased to see you talking with the 'enemy' like this."

He winced as she spoke. Technically she had a reason to be mad since her family was the first he was going after. Of course there was a reason for that one that she correctly named. They were the best brand in the business with sales that were miles ahead of the other brands. He also thought they would be an easy target given their flagship leader just died.

Not that he was going to say that to her.

“Listen “He said placing a gentle hand on her shoulder “I’m sorry! You’re right the reason I am going after your fathers company is because it’s the most profitable. If I can get you then it shows that no company is safe. All I want is for them to put the proper safety warnings on the boxes and pay for damages”

Before he could say anything more her lawyer appeared marching at them with his mouth open. He released her and leaned in his lips inches from her ear.

“He looks a little like a toad doesn’t he”

He winked at her and moved away tipping his head at her. He moved towards the door just as her lawyer reached her.

His shoes rang out against the marbled floor as he walked back to the room. He got there before anyone else and spent the final few moments reading over his notes. As everyone began to trickle back in he rose to his feet. The judge came in moments later and the second phase of the initial hearing officially began. It was nothing more than finalizing and busy work but he took to it eagerly every witness testimony and evidence hearing would be just another notch in his belt. They would try to circle around it but he wouldn’t let them.

It was evening by the time they were finished. The judge himself practically rushed out of the chair when he called for the meeting to be over. Charlie lingered taking the time to thank Bill and watching the Jury to get a feel for their current mood. Once he was sure he got all he needed he moved stepping back out into those pristine marbled halls. He stepped outside into the cool night air and paused taking in the city as he waited for a cab to become available.