However, nobody smiled or laughed during breakfast.
At 9 o’clock, two sheriff duties lined the three men in front of Judge Fields.
Jerrick glanced behind him and saw another 20 inmates of the Michigan Penal System. They wore the bright orange sweat pants and orange t-shirts with the backs spray painted in large black letters, Detroit City Jail.
Judge neared 60 years old and was bald with puffy, reddish cheeks. He wore glasses and glared at the defendants. Judge hadn’t experience joy in his life for decades.
Dan, Chad, and Jerrick stood in front of the judge with two large bailiffs standing behind them.
Judge read off the charge, “Operating without a business license.”
“Not guilty, your honor,” Dan strongly stated.
The judge glared at Jerrick and demanded, “How do you plead?”
Jerrick started, “Your honor; these two have nothing to do with a business. Sir, I take responsibility for my actions. I rented the Moose Club to start my political organization, the National Workers’ Party. I want to return the factory jobs to American, to Michigan and limit free trade. I believe every hard-working American deserves a good job. A good job defines a man, elevates his self-esteem. Then he can marry a woman and build a future with her. Only good-paying jobs can make this happen and are the backbone of a rich, enlightened society.”
Jerrick paused a second to catch his breath.
“Guilty,” the judge declared and uttered, “Bailiff; release those two,” while pointing at Chad and Dan.
Judge scrutinized Jerrick as if he were studying a bug under a magnifying glass. Then he yelled, “Your fine is $200 or 20 days in jail.” Next, the judge slammed the gavel hard on this desk.
Bailiff let Chad and Dan go.
Dan turned to Jerrick and said, “Don’t worry, we have money in the party’s account. We’ll get you out.”
Then the bailiff led Jerrick to the holding cell next to the court. In the background, he heard the judge sentence other criminals for their crimes.
After several hours, the bailiff brought Jerrick two bologna sandwiches.
Before the bailiff left, Jerrick snapped, “Sir, when will I be released?”
“Your friends paid your fine, but the judge set your release to 6 o’clock tonight.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
“What time is it now?”
“It’s three,” then the bailiff turned to leave.
Jerrick heard another large door slam shut and echoes from a large key locking it.
Jerrick heard his growling stomach, echoing in the cell. He grabbed one of those sandwiches and forced it down. Bread tasted like a sponge while the bologna was aged luncheon meat from a can.
Starting on the second sandwich, he hiccupped, and that nasty bologna sandwich tried to escape up the esophagus and into his mouth.
Jerrick kept that food down and patted the aches of his stomach.
He sat in the cell alone and heard the sounds of silence.
Jerrick waited an eternity for 6 o’clock until the bailiff had returned. He led Jerrick from the cell and opened another door, leading to the inside chamber.
“Where are we going?” Jerrick asked suspiciously. It was too early for the government to assassinate Jerrick. He wasn’t powerful enough yet.
“Judge wants to speak to you.”
Then the bailiff led Jerrick to the judge’s tiny office, directly behind his court.
Judge sat behind an old, worn wooden desk with a stack of papers in front of him. Behind the judge sat with his back towards a window, and Jerrick sat in one of the two vacant armchairs in front of the desk.
“Bailiff; please leave us.”
“Sir, are you sure it is okay?”
“Yes, I’ll be safe. His friends paid the fine, so he can leave after our conversation.”
Bailiff obeyed and closed the judge’s door.
Judge stared at Jerrick and began, “When I looked down at you in the court today, I saw myself 35 years ago. I just graduated from law school then. I loved the law; the law burned a passion in my heart. During the 1960s, I worked on equal rights for women and minorities. Sometimes I was so poor; I didn’t have money to pay the rent, but it didn’t matter. I believed in what I was doing. I was helping people, making a difference.”
Judge paused, collecting his thoughts.
“What happened, sir?” Jerrick asked softly.
“At one point, the passion died; the fired burned out. I became concerned about making money. I’m not sure when the transition happened, but it did. I’m partly responsible for some of the job losses in Michigan. I sued many corporations and factories. They were easy prey. A client would come to me and claim they were hurt at the factory. Then I filed a lawsuit. If a company fought it, a jury always ruled in my favor.”
“Do you regret it, sir?”
“In the beginning I didn’t. I was helping people. However, over the years, I suspected many of my clients greatly exaggerated their claims, or they hurt themselves somewhere else. Then they lied about their injuries and claimed they were hurt at work. I made easy money. Then I noticed some factories declared bankruptcy and shut down. Then the jobs started leaving Michigan.”
“If you knew the outcome, do you think you would have stopped?”
“It would make no difference. If I didn’t sue, then a dozen lawyers would take my place and do it anyway. It was inevitable. I love the law; it is my life, but the law grew into the 500-pound gorilla in the room, beating everyone up.”
“Sir, why are you telling me this?”
“I need to warn you, Jerrick. I’m required to report troublemakers to the FBI. This financial crisis has everybody worried, and the FBI is monitoring the troublemakers. I’m won’t report you because this was a business permit violation but watch your back. On your NCIC report, you have a weird code that I had never seen before. You’re not being watched, but you’re no body either.”
“It must be for living in Russia for two years.”
“Ah, you lived in Russia? How interesting? That’s probably what it is. An American has friends and connections with a former enemy state.”
“Thank you for the warning, sir.”
“Jerrick, words are circulating in the Michigan state government. You talk about creating jobs and creating an empire.”
“Sir; this is the only way we can save our state and country. If we take any other course of action, then we’re doomed.”
“I see, it’s hard to say, but you’re right about one thing. Something must be done.”
“Sir, you can join us, the National Workers’ Party.”
Judge chuckled and continued, “Jerrick; I have already fought all my battles. I’ll remain here in this court until I die. Even if the State of Michigan runs out of money and can’t pay me anymore, I’ll still be here, every day. That is the reason I must find you guilty. Governor’s office told all state agencies to collect as much money as they can. Budget is much worse than we anticipated. Unfortunately, the budget is going in one direction – down.”
“Thank you sir for this information.”
“Wait,” the judge said while he opened the top drawer to his desk, pulling out a homemade CD case.
Then the judge placed the CD case in front of Jerrick on the desk.
Jerrick grabbed the CD case to study it.
“Like I said. I love the law, and I spent a lifetime studying it. That CD has a legal system for a new country with a balance of powers between the federal, state, and local governments, a fair tax system, and strong rights for citizens and businesses. Rules and regulations for all the government agencies are well defined. I took the best laws, starting with Emperor Justinian.”
“When he codified all Roman laws in the sixth century,” Jerrick interrupted.
“I see you know your Roman history. I also took the best from British Common Law, and the Germanic and Napoleonic Legal codes. If I redesi
gned a country’s legal system, then I would use that legal system on that CD.”
“Your honor, why are you doing this?”
“For my grandchildren’s future. I can only give them my house and my money, but I can’t give them a future. By the time the politicians in Lansing fix our problems, it’ll be too late. Who knows, one of Michigan’s brightest could stand up and fix everything, and Michigan can rise and become a great state again.”
“Thank you sir,”
“Jerrick, watch yourself. Government will put you on the watch list. If you and your party ever make it, make sure you give me credit for my legal system if you’ll ever use it, of course. We also didn’t have this conversation.”
Jerrick stood up and offered his hand for a handshake, but the bailiff returned.
“Escort him out,” the judge snapped.
“Thank you, your honor,” and Jerrick turned, and the bailiff led him outside.
Dan and Chad stood right outside the door on the sidewalk. As the door opened, they saw their friend Jerrick emerged.
“Jerrick, what happened?”
“I spoke with the judge. He’s nice once you get past his cold exterior.”
“I was worried,” Chad replied and added, “I thought they’ll do something to you.”
Jerrick replied, “No, they were nice, but you guys are right. We must be more cautious. By the way, I’m starving. All I eaten was a lousy breakfast and two crummy bologna sandwiches.”
“I hear you; let’s go for pizza,” Dan said as Jerrick’s stomach growled angrily.
Next day, Jerrick and top members of his party stood inside the Moose Club.
Jerrick scanned the stage, and then the bar and pool tables, reliving his memories for the last five years.
Then Jerrick faced his captains and said, “We must say good bye.”
“I know; this place was too awesome. We had some good times here,” Chad replied.
“Jerrick; what will we do?” Dan inquired
“Thank god our party is growing. We have some party members helping us. One owns a farm in the country. We’ll put our technical support out there.”
“You mean Jennifer and Mike,” Dan asked.
Jerrick noticed Dan was a little perturbed by this decision. He had another reason to separate Jennifer from Dan. He noticed Dan occasionally flirted with Jennifer, so Jerrick was a little jealous.
Jerrick can’t have a relationship with Jennifer because the first lady complements the empire, defining its feminine character. Jerrick didn’t think Jennifer would make a good First Lady. Besides, Jerrick already knew what his future wife looked like, and she wouldn’t have blonde hair and fair skin.
Jerrick continued, “Yes; then another party member will let us use their house in Farmington Hills. It was his grandmother’s house until she had died. He’ll not sell it, unless he offered a good price.”
“Not likely in this economy. Housing prices have been falling since 2008,” Dan added.
Jerrick persisted, “We can organize our activities there and do a blitzkrieg for speeches. We’ll spend two days passing out fliers and posting messages on Twitter, Facebook, and our Party’s website. Two days should be enough to get the message out.”
“Our government may be stupid, but agents and police know how to surf the internet,” Chad added, imparting some reasoning into the discussion.
“That’s the best we can do. Let’s hope our government has better things to do than follow me around.”
“Jerrick, be real. You’re talking about building an empire. Only way to build one is a revolution must take place. A revolution demotes or fires all the government leaders. I use the term ‘fire’ loosely. Usually, mass executions occur during a revolution,” Dan said firmly.
“Your point is well taken, but I must deliver speeches. Our party is still small with 10,000 members strong, and we need dedicated party members to follow our orders. Once we take over, we’ll replace our party members at all leadership positions in government. We start at the top and work our way down. We’ll fill Congress and the top federal agencies first, then the state governors and state legislatures, and finally, the mayors and county commissioners.”
“That’s a lot of people. How long do you think it’ll take to get all those people?” Chad asked.
“To be honest, I don’t know. We capture the largest states first like New York and California, and work down the list. Last states, we take are Alaska and Hawaii. It depends how much resistance the state governments give us.”
“In theory, a governor can call up the National Guard, but I hope the people are so sick of their government that they’ll never stand up to protect it.”
“You’re right, Jerrick. People complain about their government, especially after the 2008 Financial Crisis. People are furious over the bailout package for the banks and financial institutions. Many people hate their representatives, and they stopped voting. People also hate all those damn taxes and complicated laws,” Dan elucidated.
“Congressmen have some of the lowest public opinion polls ever recorded,” Jerrick said with a beaming smile and continued, “We’ll use that to our advantage!”
“I know. People may want to see public executions of their representatives,” Chad added.
“Benito Mussolini stated it best, ‘Democracy is beautiful in theory; in practice, it is a fallacy.’ Now, we must be careful. Eventually, the federal government will notice, and they’ll try to stop us,” Jerrick whispered as if government agents already hid in the bushes, right outside the Moose Club.
Dan changed the topic, “Jerrick, I almost forgot to tell you. A new party member signed up yesterday, and he looks like you. At first, I thought you were playing a joke.”
“Really, how close does he resemble me?”
“At first, I thought he was you, but some of his facial features differ. He has puffy cheeks with blue eyes. His hair is slightly darker.”
“Perhaps we can use him as my double.”
“Do you think the police and agents are that stupid? State knows my eyes are brown from my driver’s license picture.”
“It could be enough to create confusion. If the state came after you, this double creates confusion, so the state would grab the wrong person.”
“Let’s talk to him. Having a double isn’t a bad idea. Then I can be at two places at once.”
“Maybe we can throw in an aura of mystique. Sometimes the leader’s eyes are brown, and other times they’re blue. It depends on his mood,” Chad added in jest.
Group roared with laughter. Then they walked out.
Jerrick examined the interior before shutting the door for the last time. If Jerrick Ray Davis ever attained power, then he’ll convert this Moose Club into a museum.
Later that night, Jerrick crashed at the safe house in Farmington Hills. He pulled out the CD the judge had given him and inserted it into the laptop.
Jerrick sat on the floor with his back against the couch while the other party members gathered around Jerrick. Some sat next to Jerrick while others sat on the couch behind him.
The CD contained thousands of folders: administrative laws, state laws, municipal laws, city charters, etc.
Chad pointed to one of the folders, Bill of Rights and uttered, “Let’s look at that one.”
Jerrick clicked on it and opened a folder filled with text files. Then he said, “It looks like the regular Bill of Rights, but they differed. Look! There are 12 rights! Judge added two more.”
Jerrick clicked on Amendment 11 and read it, “citizens have the right to a fair and just tax system. Government can only impose one tax on an activity, whether it is the federal, state, and local government.”
Jerrick continued reading out loud the comments at the bottom, “Federal government should take the lead and collect an income tax; the state government collects the sales tax, and local governments collect the property tax. Tax rate is set by law and requires a 2/3 vote of the people wit
hin its jurisdiction to change the tax rate.”
“Wow; that’s interesting. Judge advocated a flat, simple tax system. Government sets the income tax at 15%; the state sales tax at 6%, and the property tax at $200 per residential home.”
“You know how many lawyers will lose their jobs over this tax system?” Dan replied in a pretend, angry voice, at the injustice of a flat tax.
“Ah, that’s too bad. Putting all those scum-bag attorneys and IRS agents out of work,” Chad bellowed loudly.
Whole group erupted in laughter.
Then Jerrick added, “I guess the IRS and lawyers will find a real job and produce something a society really needs.”
“What does the 6th Amendment state,” Dan asked.
“This amendment hasn’t changed, but it’s much longer. Under speedy trial, the state must start the trial within six months for a misdemeanor and within one year for a felony charge. If the state cannot do so, then the judge automatically dismisses the charges. If a court appoints consul to the indigent, then counsel must have the same workload and compensation as the prosecuting attorney.”
Dan bursts out laughing and then Jerrick.
“What’s so funny?” Chad asked with a perplexed look across his face.
“Prosecutors will hate this amendment. Courts usually pay the lowest salary and hire the most incompetent attorneys to defend the poor defendants. So prosecutors easily win these cases,” Dan explained.
“Courts overwork the court-appointed attorneys. Moreover, the courts will make these defendants wait years in jail for their trials. Most give in and take a plea bargain,” Jerrick added.
“But if we already had these rights, and government found ways to circumvent them, what’s to stop our government from circumventing these new rights,” Chad asked intelligently.
“That’s a good point. It all comes down to the people whom we place in government. They must believe in these laws and imbue a set of ethics,” Jerrick explained.
Dan laughed again and stated, “Ethics? A revolution has no ethics!”
“I know that’s the only paradox I cannot solve. We violate everything, and, turn around, and impose a new legal system. Subsequently, we expect everyone to follow it, even requiring them to be ethical,” Jerrick uttered.
“In reality, we’re no better than the people we have thrown out of power?” Chad asked.
“That’s not necessarily true. We’ll change the system. We’ll return the manufacturing jobs to the United States. We’ll take our government and chop it in half, making the U.S. legal system friendly to businesses again,” Jerrick explained and then added, “We’ll jumpstart the engines of economic growth…”