"Guilty."

…………………Cheers, reports say.

Judge hits his gavel; no more requests are entertained.

………The convicted stood still, blank-faced, but blushing. Filipino policemen and American servicemen engage in a tug-of-war. The three acquitted are rushed out and flown away a mere three hours later.

Outside, protestors genuinely or blindly cheer the verdict—the line between concrete justice and abstract nationalistic are blurred.

……………"Nicole" raises her right hand in victory.




…………Somewhere a script is being written,
producers are on the phones.
……Justice (pseudo or otherwise) has birthed
tomorrow’s box office hit.

……………("Nicole" raises her right hand in victory.)

Our epic hero tradition has found its new muse.