The reality TV show to die for. Literally

by Kerry Drewery

  ‘I have nothing to say to you but I make you cup of tea, if you want.’ Mrs B disappears through a doorway to the side. ‘You’re first visitor I’ve had in long time,’ she shouts through. ‘Maybe I have biscuits …’

  ‘A cup of tea would be lovely, thank you.’

  The entrance leads into the living area, which is calm, clean and welcoming; a sofa covered in wool, knitting needles and magazines, a television on a stand next to a potted plant that stands on top of a small three-legged table. Eve steps further inside, pausing at some photographs on the wall.

  In one is a young man with unruly hair and a wide smile, leaning on the bonnet of a red car; in another is the same person, although much younger, wearing school trousers that look baggy from the knees down, a blazer slightly too wide at the shoulders, and a jumper with arms that cover his hands. He’s holding a postcard, his fingers touching the domes of Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square, Moscow.

  ‘First day of secondary school,’ Mrs B says from behind Eve. ‘My smart boy. We could never afford to go back and see family, so we sent them picture showing he think of them.’

  ‘Is that Ollie?’ Eve asks.

  Mrs B nods as she places a tray on the table, with two odd cups with saucers that don’t match either, a teapot with a cracked lid, a faded sugar bowl and a gravy boat used to hold the milk. Amongst it all is an unopened packet of biscuits.

  ‘Then you must be Mrs Barkova.’

  ‘You call me Mrs B. Everyone does.’ She pours the tea into the cups. ‘You see photo at end with white frame? That is happiest memory of my life.’

  Eve takes a step across, leaning in to see the faces.

  ‘Who is it?’ she asks.

  ‘Christmas Day nine years ago. On the right is me, next is Beth, Martha’s mum, then little Martha, about seven, I say. Next to her, with no Christmas hat, is my Ollie.’

  ‘Of course,’ Eve says. ‘He has the curly hair.’

  ‘That he does.’ She replaces the teapot on the tray. ‘Did,’ she whispers. ‘Sit, enjoy your tea; you look tired.’

  Eve sits down next to her on the sofa. ‘You’re the second person who’s said that to me today.’ She takes a sip of tea. ‘Martha was the first.’

  With her hands in her lap, Mrs B watches Eve.

  ‘And how is our Martha?’

  Eve blows the steam across the surface of the tea. ‘Stubborn,’ she says.

  Mrs B smiles.

  ‘Worried, I think. Sad. But she wouldn’t tell me so.’ She takes another sip and places the cup back on the tray.

  ‘She didn’t do it,’ Eve continues, ‘although she insists she did.’

  Mrs B doesn’t move or say a word.

  ‘Was the message for you?’ Eve asks. ‘Can you write back to her and tell her to change her plea?’

  ‘Message was not for me. I pass it on to right person.’

  ‘Why didn’t she ask me to do that?’

  Mrs B laughs. ‘Didn’t want you to know who it was for! But you will work it out I think. Probably you will meet before this is over. Other question? No, I can’t tell her to change her plea.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Why? Why what? Why everything? Mrs Stanton, when person with loud voice steps forward it is easy for majority to follow, and follow they will wherever it is, as long as everyone else does also. It takes braver person, braver than them following leader, to break from pack. Brave person to voice different opinion.

  ‘Sometimes most unlikely person is best for job. Most unlikely wins battle, most unlikely steps forward.’

  ‘Are you saying Martha …?’

  ‘I’m saying nothing but listen and look and hope. Hope good can come from bad. Hope God can win. Hope balance is … what is word now … clothed?’

  Eve frowns at her.

  Mrs B’s face wrinkles in thought. ‘Still English harder than Russian. What is it? Balance is dressed?’

  ‘Oh,’ Eve replies. ‘You mean redressed. Balance is …’

  ‘Yes, yes, that. I’ve watched Martha grow to lovely girl and turn into strong young woman, though everything taken from her. She fell into pit I thought she’d never get out of. Then, Mrs Stanton, I watched glimmer of hope walk into her life and her face light because things could be better. There was happiness in her eyes and smile on her face I’d not seen in long time.’ She looks away.

  ‘Broke my heart when it went.’

  ‘What happened?’

  ‘Not for me to say. There are a hundred Marthas in the Rises, thousands out there, million more all over. What she’s doing is for her own reasons but for all of them Marthas too, and all Ollies.’

  ‘But all she’s doing is sacrificing her life for something she hasn’t done. She’s going to die.’

  ‘No it is not! You do not look around you and you do not listen!’ Her finger jabs into the air. ‘We hope and we pray and keep voting with every penny we own. Justice will –’

  ‘Mrs B, clearly you know more than me about Martha’s motives, but I can guarantee you that unless she changes her plea she will die in five days’ time.’

  Mrs B watches her over the top of her glasses. ‘You are not fortune teller. You do not know everything. There is time and chance for her to be voted innocent.’

  ‘I’m telling you there is no escape from this. In fact, even if she does alter her plea now, it would take a lot of work to change people’s minds about her.’

  ‘Mrs Stanton, it’s time you leave.’

  ‘Why are you giving up on her?’

  ‘I’m not.’

  ‘You’ve watched her grow up and now you’re going to watch her die?’

  ‘No, Mrs Stanton.’

  ‘Is that how you want people to remember her? As a murderer? Because that’s what will happen.’

  ‘I want you to leave now.’ She stands up, grabs the biscuits from the tray and strides to the door, Eve following behind.

  ‘I’m disappointed …’

  Mrs B pauses with her hand on the latch. ‘I am disappointed also. In life. System. Justice. Disappointed my friend was killed, my son executed and now the only person in my life may also die. But her decision is her own. And … and I must respect that. I’m sure, Mrs Stanton, that of all people in this world you understand that.’

  ‘But –’

  ‘There is no but. There is nothing for me to say or do.’

  Weary, Eve rubs her forehead. ‘There is something you could do for her though. You could be her representative. She needs someone.’

  ‘What, go on that show?’

  ‘Yes, and speak for her. Tell them what she means to you. Tell them about … about Christmas and … her being special to you.’

  Mrs B falters.

  ‘That wouldn’t be breaking any promise, or going against her, or anything like that. People need to see her as a person – you can do that. I think it may be her only hope.’

  Mrs B turns the key in the lock.

  ‘Maybe I do it. Maybe. Need to think.’ She pulls the door open.

  ‘Take biscuits,’ she says, thrusting them into Eve’s arms. ‘They’re for Martha.’

  6.30 p.m. Death is Justice

  Dark blue screen, flecks of white buzz and crackle. The eye logo, the words ‘An Eye For An Eye For’ spinning.

  MALE VOICEOVER: An Eye For An Eye Productions brings you …

  The words stop spinning. The fizz of electricity, the words turn jagged, the eye reddens and closes.

  KRISTINA: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to this evening’s Death is Justice!

  The studio lights shine on her white teeth. Her dress is tight and blue, high-heeled shoes to match. Jaunty intro music with a heartbeat undertone plays as the camera lifts and pans over the applauding audience, scans the studio and focuses in on Kristina shuffling papers at the desk from her usual seat at the side.

  With a final drumbeat the music stops and the lights over the audience dim. Kristina smiles.

  KRISTINA: On tonight’s p
rogramme …

  The camera pulls back, the large screen visible on the right.

  KRISTINA: We’ll be examining crime stats.

  The words zip onto the screen.

  KRISTINA: Looking at how crime rates in so many areas have fallen since the introduction ten years ago of Votes for All …

  The words are replaced by a photo of a man in a dark suit with a light blue shirt, cufflinks catching the light, and an expensive watch on his wrist.

  KRISTINA: Discussing why this City banker, currently in Cell 6, is accused of killing a drug dealer and why so many believe he’s been framed. Will we have an execution for you tomorrow, viewers? That, of course, is up to you. Although more importantly …

  A photo of Jackson Paige now fills the screen, in soft focus and with a gracious smile.

  KRISTINA:… the ongoing and tragic story of Jackson Paige. The senseless and brutal murder of one of the country’s heroes. We’ll be taking a journey through his influential and quite astonishing life, looking at how he used his rise to stardom to benefit others, supporting his chosen charities and those less fortunate than himself. It’ll be a sad one, viewers; don’t forget your tissues. But first, we have an exclusive interview for you. Joining us by live video-link is …

  The crumpled face of an older man takes Jackson’s place on the screen, his moustache obscures his top lip and his thick glasses blur his eyes. More hair covers his head than his age would suggest, yet is speckled with grey.

  KRISTINA:… former Lord Chief Justice to the Supreme Court, the Honourable Mr Justice Cicero. Justice Cicero rose to notoriety long before the advent of the Votes for All public voting system for many of the cases he presided over, notably the Castle killings. Famously, after being acquitted by Cicero following claims of insufficient evidence, the perpetrator, Antoine Castle, went on to commit a number of truly horrendous murders of innocent people.

  She turns to Cicero on the screen.

  KRISTINA: Justice did finally prevail though, didn’t it, My Lord? He was, in fact, put to death?

  CICERO (slowly nodding): After seven years on death row, the old death row of course, yes, he was executed.

  KRISTINA: And this was one of the cases that led to the changes in our justice system?

  CICERO (sighing): That’s correct. Among other arguments the government thought it too expensive to have someone on death row for that length of time.

  KRISTINA: Inhumane, I think was the word used, My Lord. After all, he was guilty, of that there was no doubt.

  CICERO: There was a system in place to be followed …

  KRISTINA:… that needed updating.

  CICERO: Should I remind you of the case of the State versus Dasher? Dasher was accused of murdering three of his own family, and was on death row for ten years, constantly proclaiming his innocence. Finally he was acquitted when technology caught up to prove it was impossible for him to have committed the crime. If the system hadn’t been followed, that innocent man would be dead.

  KRISTINA: But we have that technology now.

  CICERO: Yet our current form of justice neglects to use it!

  KRISTINA: Exactly.

  CICERO: Not exactly. Now we don’t ask for evidence, we don’t even ask for motive. It is not a justice system, it’s a butchering ground, completely open to corruption, fraudulent activity, bribes …

  KRISTINA (smiling): We’re getting off the point, Judge Cicero. Oh, I’m sorry, I believe I’ve got your title wrong …

  She puts her hand to her ear, nods and turns back.

  KRISTINA: As you don’t practise law since the change in the court system, you’re no longer a judge, you don’t sit on the bench – actually you don’t have any power at all. You are in fact just plain Mr Cicero now, aren’t you?

  CICERO: You know damn well, Kristina, that we no longer have any kind of court system. First we were given telephone votes for murder and manslaughter charges and now we have this quite ridiculous Buzz for Justice show for lesser charges! So, no – I am no longer a judge because there are no courts for me to be a judge of!

  KRISTINA (smiling): So good to hear you got the name right! Yes, the highly successful Buzz for Justice show, which you can catch every weekday from twelve o’clock until one and again from five through to six.

  CICERO (interrupting): Who in their right mind ever heard of a legal system, a justice system, where a buzzer is pressed if you’re thought to be guilty?

  KRISTINA (laughing): That’s to simplify it, Mr Cicero, I think! After all, there is a panel of people who all get to buzz – a majority is needed.

  CICERO: Five people, Kristina, who’ve all bought tickets for the privilege.

  KRISTINA: And what a privilege it will be for the programme designers to hear they have an ex Supreme Court judge as an avid viewer!

  CICERO: I’m hardly an –

  KRISTINA: Anyway, we’re getting off the point again, Mr Cicero; I believe we’re starting to bore our audience.

  She looks across the studio audience then to camera. Her smile falls, her face is serious.

  KRISTINA (voice low): We’re here to talk about Jackson Paige and Martha Honeydew. The senseless killing, the unfairness society feels at having such an icon taken from them.

  She turns to Cicero.

  KRISTINA: Tell me, as someone against our current system, against the public having a right to vote on what they believe –

  CICERO: You’re twisting my words.

  KRISTINA: Do you think she did it?

  Cicero closes his eyes. The audience are silent. Kristina waits.

  CICERO: No.

  A gasp sounds from the audience, the shuffle of bodies, a murmur of opinions shared.

  KRISTINA: But she admitted it.

  Cicero leans towards the camera.

  CICERO: Ask yourself – ask yourselves – why she would do that. Think, question … don’t rely on a ridiculous buzzer or picking up the telephone!

  KRISTINA (incredulous): Because she’s guilty?

  CICERO: Ask yourselves why she would kill him. Why was he there? What was he doing near the High Rises? What was her motivation? Question things!

  KRISTINA (to camera): Audience, viewers, fellow voters, let’s not forget that she had the gun in her hand when the police arrived. We saw the head-cam feed of that yesterday.

  CICERO: Just because she was holding the gun, doesn’t mean she pulled the trigger. Has anyone checked the gun for prints?

  KRISTINA: Why would they waste time and money doing that? Cicero, it sounds to me like your thoughts on justice are stuck in the past. We’ve moved on. Today justice is sleek and quick, efficient and rewarding …

  CICERO: No. There is too much apathy. It can’t work. Mistakes are being made! Innocent people are being killed and guilty ones are getting off!

  KRISTINA: Mistakes? We spoke about your mistakes earlier, Mr Cicero, and certainly the Castle killings wasn’t the only case. I could name the Moss murders – released early on a technicality – the Shepherd shootings – case dismissed because of leaked evidence …

  CICERO: And I could name hundreds of thousands in the long history of our court-based justice system that have got it right, and dozens and dozens since the introduction of this ludicrous Votes for All system that have got it wrong. For every person who is wrongly put to death is another who is wrongly free.

  KRISTINA: History tried abolishing the death penalty, Cicero, you should know that. Or have you not done your homework? In 1965 the death penalty was suspended, but re-introduced in 1970 following public pressure and a number of high-profile cases. Shall I go into those cases for you in case your memory fails you? Three policemen shot dead, the Moors …

  CICERO: I know the cases!

  KRISTINA: Ten years ago, we as a society chose to take powers from the court; we decided that the best, the fairest, the most equal way to deal justice was to give a voice to every person in this land, every opinion counting, every person from every background becoming a juror. Everyone equal.<
br />
  CICERO: But they’re not equal!

  KRISTINA: Let’s remind ourselves, viewers, of the horrendous crimes …

  CICERO (shouting): They’re NOT equal!

  He slams his fist on the desk in front of him.

  CICERO: And they DON’T have a vote each! They have as many as they can AFFORD! That’s the difference! It is not the most democratic system in the world, it’s probably the most undemocratic …

  The screen flickers; lines and static over his image.

  CICERO: People think the government is giving them power but it’s an illusion! A misconception! The government controls the press and the press manipulate the people! The government doesn’t care if proper justice is served – these people only care about power. That’s their aim …

  His voices distorts and breaks up.

  CICERO: On paper, crime stats are low … makes them look good … public feel empowered … vote for them in elections … It’s not the whole story.

  The sound is lost.

  KRISTINA (frowning): We seem to be experiencing some technical problems. Cicero? Can you hear me? Cicero?

  His image returns, his finger jabbing at the camera, his mouth opening and closing but to no sound. The picture flickers again.

  KRISTINA: While we try to re-establish a connection, let’s recap what Mr Cicero, Former Lord Chief Justice for the Supreme Court, who has lost his career since the introduction of public voting, had to say.

  She strides across the floor towards the studio audience.

  KRISTINA: People are not equal – he stated – the Votes for All system is ludicrous, that it is undemocratic, and he claimed that you, the public, are apathetic and manipulated. This former judge, who presided over the Castle killings amongst other travesties of justice, went on to state that he thought Martha Honeydew to be innocent. Well …

  She glances behind, Cicero’s face blurs onto screen again, his mouth still moving, still no sound.

  KRISTINA:… it appears we haven’t managed to reconnect with Mr Cicero, but let’s take a look at a quote about our justice system by former lawyer to the stars, and our current PM.

  The crackling image of Cicero finally disappears, replaced on one side by lines of text over a light blue background, and on the other side by a photo of a slender man in his thirties – perfect hair, a smile and white teeth – the Prime Minister. Kristina steps back as his pre-recorded voice, authoritative yet warm and calm, sounds across the studio.