Shooting The Messenger

Grace heard the whooshing sound and small clink as the little vessel reached her portal. She checked the pneumatic tube and found a letter in an unfamiliar hand. She turned and sat at her desk before unrolling it slowly.

Miss Toussaint.

In further correspondence, please use term "person" in place of "human being," unless you actually wish to define a person who is a member of of the genus and species homo sapiens.

Your oversight is apalling. Your presumption has nearly caused an international incident and caused difficulties for our commerce interests abroad. Need I remind you of how fast news travels in the modern world?

Shame on you.

-Mosseveno Tenk

Clockwinder

P.s In the meanwhile, Mr. YoYo Underby may be released to house arrest. I trust a militia member will take up watch at the Bucket of Blood to ensure compliance.

Grace's face first drained of color, then red blood rushed to her cheeks as her anger rose. How dare he lay this at her feet? Was she not merely following the letter of the law as her solemn oath required?

She ripped open a desk drawer and withdrew a fresh sheet of paper. She took a moment to compose her thoughts and steady her hand, then put pen to paper.

Clockwinder,

I am appalled at your misguided and tardy response to the current situation. If there is any blame to be laid, other than on the killer of Pip Steamer, it must be at your feet. A statement from you may have settled the populace, and diplomatic issues are your concern, not mine.

I am simply an officer of the court. I must represent my client's interests to the best of my abilities. I read the law, in black and white, and applied the words there to the facts at hand. If people object to such a classification of "human beings" vs. "persons" it is not for me to bow to public opinion. It must be up to the civic leaders and lawmakers to improve the laws and protect all of our fair City's citizens.

Personally, I would like to see Pip's killer brought to justice. I have no doubt that all beings, be they human, clockwork, or other should be given rights and a safe harbour in the law. Should you or any other citizen of Babbage propose a law to that end I would be happy to lend my support.

I remain your humble servant of justice,

Grace Toussaint, Esq.

By the time she had poured her ire out on the paper Grace's angry tears had dried on her cheeks. She stood slowly, straightening her skirts and pulling on her gloves. She folded the letter carefully and slipped it into her bodice and strode to the door. She slowly crossed the street and warily looked both ways before hopping quickly over the trolley tracks. She was headed to the gilded City Hall, and then perhaps to see for herself that her client was indeed going to be released.

In re Underby's Case

The dawn light seeped through the hazy Babbage air as Grace read over her final draft. She leaned back in her chair, joints in her hands aching and eyes bleary.

To The Clockwinder, Mosseveno Tenk, Mayor of New Babbage
and The Babbage Militia

In re: Underby's Case

Esteemed Mayor and members of the New Babbage Militia, chief among those being Jedburgh Dagger and Sky Netizen:

The continued jailing of Mr. Yoyo Underby, accused murderer of the being called Pip Steamer, must cease immediately.

The following facts cannot be disputed:

1. Mr. Underby, a citizen of New Babbage, has already been held on the basis of hearsay evidence longer than the law allows.

2. The autopsy of Pip Steamer, performed by the esteemed Dr. Miggins, has demonstrated conclusively that Pip Steamer was not, by definition, a human being.

3. The law, as written, states that murder is the act of one human being causing the death of another human being.

Regardless of public opinion concerning the nature of Pip Steamer, the law as written does not provide for the punishment of a human being who has allegedly murdered a non-human. Thus, logically, it follows that the "murder" of Pip Steamer is not an actionable crime, and all charges against Mr. Underby must be dropped.

I await your confirmation that Mr. Underby will be set at liberty post haste.

Sincerely,
Grace Toussaint, Esq.

***

Grace slowly copied out her letter three times, and then headed to City Hall, hoping to put one in the hands of Mr. Tenk before heading to the Militia headquarters to post the letter on its doors.

((It is now up to the citizens of Babbage to work together to either change the law ... or I suppose attempt vigilante justice. *smirks* Either way, I look forward to more healthy debate on just what constitutes life and how best to protect it!))

The Letter of the Law

Grace slowly climbed the stairs to her office, the dark night close around her. She had much to ponder and research....

***

The interview had revealed a few surprises and also confirmed a few of Grace's own suspicions. She had a list of several people she hoped to interview, particularly one urchin called Bill. Grace had managed to procure a copy of Doctor Miggins's autopsy report and apprised Mr. Underby of the results.

"What do you know of the nature of such creatures, Mr. Underby?" Grace had asked.

"A homunculus? It is an artificially-created thing, Miss Toussaint," he had replied.

***

Alone in her office Grace bent over the dingy old book on her desk.

Murder is the most egregious of human crimes. It is defined as the killing of a human being by a sane person, with intent, malice aforethought, and with no legal excuse or authority.

Grace stared at the words "human being" and thought back to Underby's cold description: "an artificially-created thing." She shook her head and looked up to stare out the window at the dark, smudged sky. Though it went against her nature, she knew what she must do. She must follow the letter of the law and demand Mr. Underby's release.

"Whatever Pip was, the law does not yet recognize him as a being to be protected. A man cannot be guilty of murder if there is no victim," Grace muttered under her breath as the thoughts swirled in her head.

She stood up, took a quick turn about the room, then threw herself back into her chair and pulled a clean sheet of paper in front of her. The night passed quickly as she drafted her arguments.