Deceivers In Our Mist or Justice

By Imrah Baines

No evidence? No problem.

Fabricate evidence ? Lie under oath.

Welcome to (in)Justice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Legend Press
• Release date: Jun 6, 2019
• ISBN: 9781789556070

Book preview

ACT ONE

ACT I SCENE I

Justice and Jason are outdoors, walking through a green on a fine summer’s day.

JASON

What could we do, you and I, while the sun shines so bright, up in the sky?

JUSTICE

You and I, in a world of lies. For us two, what could we do?

JASON

We could sing a song, or dance a dance. Or we could play it safe, or take a chance.

JUSTICE

To a tune I’d like to dance, with you. Especially with the sky so blue.

JASON

Foxtrot or a waltz? Tango or to salsa?

JUSTICE

What does it matter?

JASON

As long as you’re in my arms…

JUSTICE

You’re so sweet…

JASON

But I’ve got two left feet.

JUSTICE

Oh, I see…

JASON

Let us talk of love.

JUSTICE

Of love, you wish to converse?

JASON

You make it sound as though there could be nothing worse?

JUSTICE

No, I just wish to dance.

JASON

Of love, there is nothing above. For all that is manifest, that we see, was done so with love, with beauty and with honesty.

JUSTICE

Then where in our world are such things to be seen? Is it like the good, hidden by those who deceive?

JASON

What do you mean? Those who deceive?

JUSTICE

You must know that something isn’t quite right with this thing we call life? You must know that there is too much darkness, and not enough light?

JASON

Of course I do. But I choose not to.

JUSTICE

Bury your head in the sand? That attitude, I just don’t understand? How can you stay blind?

JASON

Because we have love in our lives.

JUSTICE

That’s just you and I.

JASON

That’s right.

JUSTICE

But that’s not right. Not when elsewhere there is so much unhappiness in life.

JASON

That’s elsewhere – but you and I live in love and light.

JUSTICE

And towards the others, who dwell in dark night, can you from them turn a blind eye?

JASON

No others and nothing else matters for as long as I have you. You see, you talk of deceit and dishonesty, and you ask: what in this world is true? And I, my love, am inclined to agree with you. Though I do appreciate that in this world, the only thing true is the love you have for me, and that I have for you. All else being a falsehood and untrue.

JUSTICE

Do we have a love which is true?

JASON

Of course we do.

JUSTICE

But others have not love in this life, they have little opportunity to shine their light. So from those less fortunate, ‘tis hard to turn a blind eye. Besides, all of us are forced to live a lie, including me and you.

JASON

In this world, you cannot correct all the wrongs for right. So forget all your troubles, and forget all that you see. Think only of me.

JUSTICE

What are you doing on one knee?

JASON

Will you marry me?

JUSTICE

Marry?

JASON

A ring I take, and allow me, upon your finger, to place…

JUSTICE

No, Jason, I cannot.

JASON

But how can you not? I offer you all that I’ve got.

JUSTICE

Have you forgot? In a world shorn of love, you think I can just place everything outside of my mind, when I know that nothing is right; all is upside down? All of us, being sold a lie…

JASON

Then let me be the light in your life.

JUSTICE

There is too much wrong as I look around. And though I could indulge my own happiness, it yet doesn’t feel right. I look up, I look down, I look around, and wherever I cast my gaze, inside I feel a blaze.

JASON

You think too much; overlooking our love. So we have an imperfect world, never mind. What about what we have, you and I? Is that not worth more than space and time?

JUSTICE

Our love doesn’t make everything right; everything wrong doesn’t become just fine. Not when deceivers exist out there, quenching the light. We may be alright, you and I, but what about all those others in perpetual night?

JASON

But what can you do? Don’t be a fool…

JUSTICE

A fool! I?

JASON

Whoops…

JUSTICE

You are a tool.

JASON

Yes, but kind of cool.

JUSTICE

At least not cruel, like those who deceivers who rule.

JASON

So what do you say, babe? Will you…?

JUSTICE

No, sorry, I told you…

JASON

With your life, what else will you do?

JUSTICE

Not marry you. For what does that prove? A certificate for our love?

JASON

We can be as two doves, soaring above…

JUSTICE

Are we not now those doves? Gliding above?

JASON

Forever in love… flying free…just you and me…

JUSTICE

Are we free?

JASON

What do you mean?

JUSTICE

Surely we must find out from those who deceive, what is it they keep? Then we shall know how free we be.

JASON

Why must you fret and fray about deceivers all day? I offer you my love and you turn away! You reject my heart and now I feel a pain.

JUSTICE

Feel no sorrow, we’ll talk again on the morrow. Nothing has changed. My feelings for you remain the same; or, rather, they grow each day.

JASON

My love for you drives me insane.

JUSTICE

See you tomorrow, my love.

JASON

See you tomorrow, my dove.

(Justice exists. Jason walks on, sulkily. He meets his friend, Duncan.)

DUNCAN

Yo, bro!

JASON

Hi, Duncan.

DUNCAN

Why so glum? You look like you’s in a slum.

JASON

Just asked Justice to marry me.

DUNCAN

Seriously?

JASON

Regrettably.

DUNCAN

Why you do that for? That sure some stupid, fool thing to do.

JASON

What do you mean? Surely there’s nothing more romantic than falling to one knee, proposing to the one of your dreams…

DUNCAN

She said no, bro.

JASON

How do you know?

DUNCAN

Cos you look low, bro.

JASON

I didn’t think she would. I don’t know how she could, but she worries awfully a lot about the just, the fair and the good.

DUNCAN

Yo, let’s go to the hood ‘n’ get you some fried chicken. That’s some good.

JASON

Eat? I don’t think I could. My appetite has disappeared. I feel downcast, cast down in despair.

DUNCAN

Who cares? Why you let Justice bother you?

JASON

Why?

DUNCAN

If she turn you away, then you go fish the next day. You hear what I say?

JASON

Not really.

DUNCAN

She don’t want that ring, but there’s plenty of others who do. Y’ get me now?

JASON

You miss the point. It’s Justice I want.

DUNCAN

You a fool. Justice just laughin’ at you.

JASON

That’s not true! She loves