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The sunrise gives the room a golden haze of warm and welcoming hope. No one was there to see it, except the janitor, who helps give the room its prestige look. If only the room could be as peaceful as the sunrise.

As the day begins to take life, the room loses its warm glow. The janitor finishes up when he hears someone come through the doors. "Up a little early are yah?"

"Yeah well justice never sleeps," said Michel. Michel is a lawyer and a damn good one. His name has become one the law world has recognized with much respect. Michel looked around the empty courtroom. It felt unsettling. Usually he makes it just when the trail begins, but he wanted to come early to beat the crowd. For today was the final day of the trail.

Michel took his seat and began to look though his material: client's history, prosecutor facts, everything to help prove his innocence.

"You think you'll sway the jury over to you?" The janitor asked. Michel looked up. "This isn't your usual case." The janitor walks up closer to the dragon.

"The people will do what is right." It was a lie. The case has gotten way out of control. The thing that made it worst was he, a Scale, is defending him. Scales have only not so long ago, been allowed the freedom to apply for higher jobs equally as any fur. Michel was one of the first to succeed. He did get famous for a reason. Michel looked at the otter. "You don't think I will win."

"I have lived in this town all through out my life. I know a lot of the people here. I know they hate you, they despise you, and some even want to kill you. Well those were the people during the Scale revolution. Today's generation well, that is a mix bag." The janitor leaned against the wall. "Though I got to say, this is the most lively I've seen Hudson in a while. I guess we can thank you for that."

"Well I got to get ready. It was a pleasure speaking with you..."

"Spencer."

"Michel." Michel replied, "Have a good day." They shook hands then Michel went back to his papers. Spencer looked back at the blue dragon. 'To think I was like them back then.' The otter got everything in his cart and walked off. 'It going to be another long day.'

An hour has past and the room was slowly filling up. Michel continued to look through his papers. Making changes and rehearsing what he needs to say until... "Well nice to see you come early for once." Michel looked up at the fox that interrupted his train of though.

"There is a first for everything isn't there Carrie." The fox gave Michel a quick glance of amusement and took her seat across of him.

Carrie was a colleague during Michel's early years training to be a lawyer. She was his mentor even if she was only slightly older then he. She started her own firm and at one point asked Michel to join. Now she is, like Michel, one of the top lawyers in the nation. Michel wishes she wasn't his opponent. "How is it working with that complete psychopath?" Asked Michel

Carrie began looking though her papers, "She's not a psychopaths."

"Then what do you call this?" asked Michel as he extended his arms around the courtroom. Carrie just continued to look at her papers.

"Please Michel I don't need to hear your lectures. Any case has its psychopaths."

"And we got the craziest of them all right here."

Carrie ignored him and began to organize her desk to her liking. After getting everything organized she looked over at Michel's desk. It was a mess. Papers' covering every squire inch, but Michel is at his best when his desk is a mess. It also means he has something up his selves. "Just don't do anything too crazy like yesterday o.k. I'm still getting calls from Ms. Taylor about it."

Michel just gave Carrie a big draconian smile. That's what he wanted. Ms. Taylor was the prosecutor of this trail. The wolf is a respected citizen of Hudson and is often considered a fountain of wisdom for the cubs. Michel chuckled heartedly about what he did. "You got to admit it was hilarious seeing that witch choke on her own words."

"Well I never." Michel turned around as the familiar voice of Ms. Taylor echoed through the courtroom. Michel looked at the ancient grey wolf with uttered hatred. "Ms. Williams, please make sure this Scale keeps his big mouth shut. I don't want what happened yesterday to happen again." Michel couldn't stand her voice. It sounded like nails on a chuck board, only worse.

"If you don't mind, I would like it if you don't call me a Scale." Said Michel in a polite tone.

"Well next time don't burst out saying I'm a a..a..

"Bitch?" Michel was all to please to say it to her face again.

Ms. Taylor looked at him with utter discuss, "I swear the reason this country's going downhill is because of these Scales. I tell you things were better in the good old days." Carrie could tell Michel was ready to do something outrageous again and she didn't want the trail to be on hold for another day.

"Miss Taylor. I understand your reason, but calling Michel a Scale makes you no different then him calling you a bitch. I'm sure someone of your stature will understand when one is sinking to another's level." Michel reluctantly looked back down at his papers leaving an uneasy calm.

Miss Taylor looks over at the dragon. Someday when this trail is over she will definably put an end to this Scales career, but for now Carrie is right. "Your right. Sorry I just get so caught up when I'm in the moment. Thank you Ms. Williams. It's people like you that show me chivalry is not dead."

Ms. Taylor took her seat next to Carrie and waited holding her paws on her lap. Carrie took one last look over at Michel. From day one people have been giving him a hard time. She though backed to her college days. Seeing how Michel faced more trials then most law students did in their lifetime. People like Ms. Taylor were the people he hated the most. They only saw him as another Scale. But, Carrie saw something others wouldn't look at. It's why she "mentored" him, why she wished for him to join her firm, and knows why Michel took this case.

"Please rise!" yelled the bailiff. "For the honorable Judge Kevin." The badger walked over to the podium and look at the courtroom filled yet again. "You may be seated. Bring in the defendant." He said as the doors opened. Out of those doors was Jack being lead by a rat guard. The orange jumpsuit matched the foxes fur you wouldn't of known he was wearing anything. As he took his seat next to Michel, Michel leaned over towards him. He noticed how lifeless he has become during this trail." How was your night?"

"Quiet. Not too many people here go to jail." Even his voice showed it.

"Don't worry we got this in the bag."

"Michel," called Judge Kevin, "Are you ready to begin?"

"Yes sir."

"Then without further to do the case of Jack vs. The State will come to order. Defendant will you call your first witness."

"I call Kyle Jackson to the stand." The people in the courtroom look behind them as the Lizard walked up to the witness stand. Kyle looked over at Jack. Seeing those tried eyes could make anyone want this trail finally end.

The bailiff walked up to Kyle with the bible. "Place your left hand on the bible and put up your right." He did as he was told, "Do you Kyle Jackson swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God?"

"I do." Kyle took his seat. Hopefully his testament will make people see Jack is innocent. Michel got up from his table and began to walk over to the witness stand.

"Mr. Jackson, will you please state what your occupation is?"

"I'm the Science teacher for Hudson Middle School."

"Can you tell me what your association is with Jack at the school?"

"Yes he teaches health."

Michel turned around to face the jury. "Do you feel Jack is a bad person?"

"Objection!" Said Carrie, "Your honor I don't see what that last question has to do with the trail."

"It has everything to do with the trail," said Michel. Judge Kevin look between the two lawyers. Those two always try to find ways to butt heads together. It doesn't matter what he say's, it's all a part of the show. "Overruled." As the gavel hit, Michel gave the judge a slight nod. Part of the show.

"Thank you. So, Mr. Jackson if you would answer the question."

"Well I must say I have know Jack for a very long time. He has always been a good teacher and helps others when they need it, but to be honest I don't know why we need a trail. He did nothing wrong."

"Outrageous!" yelled Ms. Taylor standing from her seat, "What Jack did is unheard of."

"Ms. Taylor please take your seat." Demanded Judge Kevin.

"I'm sorry your honor but this Sc... witness will not get us anywhere."

"Ms. Taylor please take your seat or I will have to remove you from this court. Again." Ms. Taylor took her seat. She looked at the two Scales as they brainwash her townsfolk with their lies. They will pay.

Michel, on the other hand, was excited; things were going to his favor. "So you say Jack is an innocent man right?"

"Yes."

"And you feel this trail is a waste of everyone's time and money?"

"Yes."

"Your honor I must speak again. I don't see the point for this witness," said Carrie. She did know, but she also knew if Michel kept this going it would only lengthen the trial and neither of them wanted that.

"Well Carrie I'm just making a point."

"What point?"

"That this trail is bullshit." The courtroom attendants looked at each other in shock. Ms. Taylor looked like she was ready to explode. But Carrie looked at Michel, this would move to jury towards him. Judge Kevin needed to stop this before things get out of control. Damn Scale always trying to push peoples button.

"Order! Order! Michel if this witness doesn't offer something for the jury I'll have to dismiss him."

"Your honor if I may," said Kyle, "If you want a point then take this. I have known Jack for over fifteen years. He is a respected teacher to both students and staff alike. And I feel that having a trail over something so ridicules as teaching homosexuality during sex education is bullshit."

Ms. Taylor went insane. "How dare you make him look innocent? I'll not sit around while some corrupted fox poisons our children's mind with such nonsense." The courtroom exploded with talk.

"Order. Order!" Yelled Judge Kevin. The courtroom went silent. No one was sure how to react, but Michel knew he has made them question. That is always a good sign. The judge looked down at Michel. "Are you done with the witness?"

"Yes your honor."

"Prosecution do you have any questions?"

"No your honor." Said Carrie. There was no way she could win with this witness.

"The witness is free to go." He banged the gavel and the atmosphere relaxed for a bit.

Kyle got up from the witness stand and headed over towards Jack. He hasn't look up since he entered the courtroom, only steers into space. "Hold on a little longer Jack. We'll win this."

"Sure." Jack replied not even lifting his eye to Kyle. If he could win this, the trail wouldn't have taken this long. Kyle knew the man before him was a shadow of his formal self, but there was nothing more he could do. He walked over towards Michel, "You better know what you are doing." Michel looked at Kyle with shock that he doubts him. Kyle walked off towards the back of the courtroom.

The Judge looked around again once things had settled down. Everyone was on pins and needles. 'Just two more and we're done.' "Prosecution if you will bring your witness."

"Prosecution would like to bring Glenda Jackson to the stand."

Everyone looked with wide eyes as the pink poodle walk in. She is the southern bell of the town. Dress in the most elaborate clothing one could find. She waited as the bailiff said the whole truth speech. "I do." She even had the southern voice. Michel couldn't stand it. Ms. Taylor was delighted with his reaction with the witness. He may of won the first battle of the day, but the lord is on her side.

Carrie went up towards the stands. She looked over at Michel. Ms. Taylor was right when suggesting Glenda as another witness. 'This is going to turn ugly fast.' "Glenda if you will tell the jury your relations to this trail."

Glenda looked over at the jury with her famous puppy dog look, "One of my sons was apart of Jack's class when he poison his mind." Michel looked over at the jury. Not even thirty seconds and they were giving her sympathy. "Glenda if you may describe the events after the class."

"Well I have always known my son to be a little different. He wasn't a very muscular guy and was never a natural in sports. He like other things books, video games, an...i...ma, that sort of stuff. He was never apart of the popular crowd and after school did drama class. I knew my son wasn't going to be how I wanted him, but if anything I though he would become a successful businessman, actor, or designer. I would have been fine with that as long as he had a wife and kids. But I notice he made little to no effort going to the girls. I've even set up a few 'play dates' to help break the ice, but he never followed through. I would ask him why and he always answered 'I don't know. I'm just not interested.' I though he must be going through the cooties phase. But then that class happened. The day he got home I notice something was amiss. He looked like he came to a realization. I though he had finally found a girl. I ask him what's up and he said that he was gay. Well I couldn't believe it. My son was brainwash. He just needed to find a girl, but no. Jack told everyone of that class about homosexuality and now I can't even look at my own son. If you ask me jails not good enough for him."

The courtroom was silent. Everyone was staring in awe about Glenda's story. Ms. Taylor was smiling, 'Now the town sees the damage that fox has done to the children.' Michel was ready to shot to the moon. Carrie went back over to the judge, "I have no more question your honor."

She sat next to Ms. Taylor. The Judge looks over towards Michel. "Does the defendant have any questions?"

'Please let it slide Michel,' though Carrie.

Michel looked up, "Yes I do."

'Oh no.'

Michel had to have an edge to get the jury on his side again. He walked back and forth looking at Glenda like a piece of meat. " Glenda. Do you love your son?"

"I always have."

"And you support many of your son's interest and hobbies?"

"Of course. I may not understand all of them but I know he's a good kid."

"Then why don't you support your son for being queer?" She said nothing. This is the edge he needed. "Glenda what is it about queer's that make them so queer to you?" Glenda looked at Jack before looking at Michel.

"Because they are servants of the devil."

"So your son is...

"MY SON was trick!"

"But isn't your son happier?"

"Don't you dare tell me what makes my son happy. Especially a Scale like you." They stared at each other in a deadlock. The judge was getting a headache always having to kept things in order, but it was necessary. "Michel. Do you have anymore question?" Michel didn't answer. "Michel!"

He looks back at the judge. If he had his way he make Glenda suffer, but it wouldn't help Jack. "No. I'm done." He walked back half hearted. He was able to question Glenda's logic, but it didn't feel like anyone changed sides.

"All right court will take an hour recess for lunch. Dismiss." Everyone in the courtroom got up to stretch their legs. Michel and Jack walked over to a private room for them to talk. A guard followed them just outside the door so no funny business would happen.

Carrie began to walk to her lunch, but Ms. Taylor stopped her. "Dear. I just want to say thank you. For your Christian duty in destroying this evil plaguing our town." She shock hands with her.

"It's part of my job. If you excuse me."

"Wait. I was thinking you could join me with those news people out there. It would help a lot."

"Thank you, but I need to get something to eat."

"Very well dear. See you in an hour." With her gone Carrie went pass the guard to join Michel and Jack. Seeing them was a relief to be free from Ms. Taylor's eyes. "God that bitch is crazy."

"You're the one who took the job." Michel handed Carrie over her lunch.

"Hey it wasn't my intention, she gave the firm a lot of money and they wanted the best."

"Makes you wonder why they didn't choose me?" Michel said sarcastically.

"Cause you would of killed her after the first meeting."

"True." Michel looked outside at the mass of television trucks, reporters, and Ms. Taylor at the podium wooing the country over to her side. "You think people would be smarter then to listen to her."

Carrie replied. "If you can convince your audience you will win ever trail. Law 101." Carrie looked at Jack with concern. "Jack. You haven't touched your lunch."

"Not hungry." Jack just looked down at the floor, staring into space. Michel sat next to him. "You need to eat something. I'm sure what we're giving you is better then what they're serving you back there."

"We're not going to win are we." Jack made it sound like a statement then a question.

Michel and Carrie stared at each other in silence. "Jack you have to trust what Michel is doing." Said Carrie

"All because I mention homosexuality. They don't mind if I'm talking about sex to their children, but when I don't talk about what they want me to say I'm a demon. It only took me ten minutes to describe it." Tears began to fall down Jack's face then he felt a claw on his shoulder to find Michel smiling at him.

"Do you know why I took this case?"

"You needed the money and like to raise hell."

"That's only a minor detail. I came here because I know where you're coming from. When I was a kid I was told to hate myself for not being furry. And I believed them. I hated myself and let others treated me below them. Let them call me names, move aside if they wanted something I had, and beat me up for not being like them. I though what I was doing was the right way and maybe they would accept me as a member of society. But it was my teacher, Gene Windham, who showed me I don't need to be ashamed of myself. He showed me that I'm a free person with something grand planned ahead, but if I can't give respect to myself I'll never achieve it. He made me stand up for myself. He was an otter who saw me as an equal to him and look at what I've achieved so far."

"That's great, but I don't see how this helps me." Jack look back down at the floor. The rest of the hour went by with very few words said. After they finished lunch, Michel goes to grab his suitcase.

"Jack. You are going to love what I have planned next." He grabs his case. "Time to head out."

Carrie made sure to leave first so Ms. Taylor wouldn't know that she hang's with Michel. Michel and Jack took their respected seats. Ms. Taylor joined soon after. "My it is amazing what mass media can do. Did you know they are broadcasting this trail all over the nation? This gives us a chance to show the good we're doing in Hudson." Carrie only carried a straight face. "Technology has come a long way. I'll tell you in my days we had no TV and when we did only had three channels."

"Ms. Taylor, we need to start." Said the bailiff. Carrie breathed with relief that they got her to shut up. The judge entered as the final witness was called out. "Alright let wrap this up. Will the defendant call his last witness?" Michel stood up.

"I call Amanda Taylor to the stand." The courtroom fell silent as Ms. Taylor's granddaughter entered the courtroom.

Amanda was fourteen years old, but the wolf walked in like an adult beyond her years. She was definably Ms. Taylor's granddaughter. As she walked up to the stand she looked at her grandmother. She didn't look back. The bailiff came up to the stand. "Do you Amanda Taylor promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God?"

"I do."

Michel walks up to her. "Amanda can you please tell the court why you're here."

"I'm one of the students from Mr. Shaw's class."

"And do you know why Mr. Shaw is on trail?"

"For teaching homosexuality in class."

"Can you explain what he talked about?"

"Well it really wasn't much. All he said was we were all starting to discover ourselves and sexuality is one of them. He explained the basics and at the end he said that no matter what you prefer you are all normal. After that a lot of the class started to talk about what interested them and the next day several classmates came out and we were fine with it. But later that day Mr. Shaw was visited by the police and was taken away. We didn't have an idea what happened. It was only a while later when we learned my grandmother ordered an arrest for moral misconduct on Mr. Shaw."

"Now you listen to me," Ms. Taylor said in anger, "The reason I did this, all this was for you. He poisoned your minds."

"He didn't. Please grandma. Mr. Shaw's a good guy he wouldn't teach us anything immoral." The judge was about to interrupt, but he met Michel's eyes and knew this needed to play out.

"Child this is your Grandmother. I know what's best for you."

"If you do then let Mr. Shaw go!"

"I can't."

` "But you said....

"I know what I said."

No one dared to make a sound. "You hate me because I'm gay too." Ms. Taylor looked away from her. "Grandma pleases. For the longest time I felt I was different and I hated myself for it. But thanks to Mr. Shaw I realize I'm normal. I'm sorry I'm not the grandchild you wanted, but please love me for who I am over who I'm not."

Ms. Taylor was speechless. She slowly got up from her chair and left the courtroom. The judge looked around the courtroom. He was about to ask prosecution, but her look told him she had nothing to add. "It's time for the jury to make their final decision."

The jury got up and walked to their room. Michel meanwhile walked towards the podium and help Amanda out. "You did the right thing."

"She still hates me."

"She's just having a hard time accepting. I'm sure she still loves you." Amanda looked up at Michel to see a smiling face. But she would be a fool to think she would change so soon. "Would you like to say hi the Jack?" Amanda nodded her head.

Jack was amazed that one of his student's did that. Not only telling how wrong Ms. Taylor was, but also what an impact he has done to the kids. "Hi Ja...Mr. Shaw." The fox looked down at the little wolf. "Hey Amanda how you doing?"

"O.K. how are you?"

"Better now that you are here and please call me Jack. Thank you."

"I should be thanking you. It was you that made me see the truth." Amanda gave Jack a great big hug.

Carrie walked up to Michel. "So she was your ace in the hole."

Michel just kept looking at the fox and wolf hugging. "She is more then that. Jack needed to see someone still cares for him."

"To think you still have a soft heart. You haven't change since the first day we met."

"What can I say? Dragons may look tough, but we have really soft hearts."

Carrie put her arm around Michel's shoulder. "After this do you want to get something to eat?"

Michel looked at Carrie a slight sparkle in his eyes. "If I win you're paying."

Amanda let go of Jack "I have to go. I hope to see you soon."

"Same here." Amanda walked off and out of the courtroom. As Jack saw her leave he actually felt happy. Strange he hasn't had that feeling for a while. He looked up to see Michel. "Thank you."

"Consider that your wake up call." Michel took his seat next to Jack.

"So you think we will win?"

"To be honest your guess is as good as mine. I don't know what these people think. Whether they decided to do the right thing depends on them." Jack gave a look of understanding.

Michel looked in amazement to see Ms. Taylor come back in and she wanted revenge. She made a b-line straight to Michel. Carrie quickly rushed in, "Ms. Taylor please."

"Out of my way." She pushed Carrie aside like a fly as she came face to face with the Scale. "You piece of slim. How could you bring my granddaughter into this? How did you convince her? Money? I bet it was money. That's how all you Scales work." She turned her attention to Jack, "And you. How dare you teach such amoral values in this town? I hope they lock you away. No I want to see you in the chair. I want it televise to the whole nation, so people can see what happens to immoral beings like you conflict with the world."

"Shut the hell up." Michel said calmly.

Ms. Taylor only looked at him. "Who do you think you are?"

"Who do you think you are? I'm a lawyer defending a man accused for teaching fact. But what right do you have over what is fact and fiction?"

"I'm a...

"Servant of God. I've heard it all before. You're no different then any other religious nut case in the world. Giving those teachings a terrible reputation. You know why I ask your granddaughter? Because she wanted to be loved by her grandmother again, but she is so blind by her beliefs she can't she her as anything more then a monster. You call us amoral creatures, why don't you take a look in a mirror and ask yourself who is the amoral one?" Ms. Taylor looks in silence. Slowly with her head down she walk out of the courtroom with her tail tuck between her legs. No one in the room even made eye contact with her.

Once she left, Carrie came up to Michel, "That was cold."

Michel took a deep breath from telling that woman everything that has been on his mind since the trail start. "She needs a wake up call herself."

Before anything more could be said the jury reentered the courtroom. Everyone became silent as the jury took their respected seats. The judge reentered the room, "Has the jury made a decision?"

One juror stood up, "We have your honor, we the jury find Jack Shaw, not guilty."

When those words were heard Jack and Michel breathed easier. No one would know, but if you looked into their eye's they were celebrating like they won the Super Bowl. The town, shortly after the trail was over, went back to normal like nothing happen, but no one could look at each other the same anymore. Michel and Carrie went back to their offices and word is he proposed to her. Now there's a trail over who should give up their last name.

Jack is back teaching health the way he wants to and everyone at the school is happy to see him. As for Ms. Taylor well no one knows what happen to her. She hasn't come out of her house since the trail. Nor has she made amends with Amanda, but she is living a happier life.

Soon small town gossip took over. Some say she killed herself, others say they see her sitting in her rocking chair staring at the children playing in the street. Years later, the kids made up their own legend and she became the Hudson witch. It is amazing how Hudson, a small town in the middle of nowhere, became the center of the biggest news only to become the small town again. But that's life. You can't stay in the past for too long, sooner or later you have to move on.