Between the stage and the audience is a long desk with three panellists. In front of each panellist is an oversized blue buzzer, and hanging above each is a 3D representation of the Buzz for Justice eye logo – faintly illuminated and blinking slowly.
A lively, fast-paced theme tune fades out and the host, Kristina – wearing a fitted grey pinstripe trouser suit with pale blue low-cut blouse – strides onto the stage. She smiles and flicks her blonde wavy hair to the side. The audience’s applause quietens.
KRISTINA: Hello, and welcome to today’s episode of Buzz for Justice, where we will have, I promise you, exclusive coverage of crimes, lies and jail terms, quiet innocence versus angry guilt. We will have tears, we will have truths, and most probably we will have tantrums!
The audience applaud and a murmured ‘oooh’ can be heard.
KRISTINA: Yes indeed, we have plenty to come, believe me, so let’s move quickly on and welcome our judging panel, who have this incredible opportunity to dispense justice. Don’t forget, ladies and gents, only a majority is needed: two buzzers pressed, two guilty votes cast, and our accused is going down!
She pauses, the lighting above the panellists increases and Kristina turns to them.
KRISTINA: A big Buzz for Justice welcome to panellist number one – Ava, a pensioner from Camden whose lifelong ambition is to appear on television.
The camera focuses on an ebullient Ava, waving madly, before moving to the next panellist.
KRISTINA: Hello to Sadiq, panellist number two. From a small village in Derbyshire, he dreams of a future in the music industry.
Sadiq smiles warmly.
KRISTINA: And last but by no means least, panellist number three – our wannabe actress, Candice from Birmingham. Hello, Candice.
The camera moves to Candice. She strikes a pose, tosses her head back and smiles widely.
KRISTINA: What an inspiring group of justice seekers we have in charge of decision-making today! Let’s bring out our first criminal, someone who may already be familiar to many of you. He certainly is to me – it’s previous death row prisoner and recent Death is Justice guest, yes, the one and only … Gus Evans!
Music plays as spotlights zip around the studio, highlighting Gus: a thin, dishevelled man, in faded and torn jeans and a crumpled T-shirt, as he steps out from backstage. Escorted by a security guard, he walks with his head down to the witness box and takes his place. The guard turns the lock. The music fades and the lights steady.
KRISTINA: Gus, how wonderful to see you again. Let’s think, it’s been all of a … a week?
She laughs at him. Gus nods slowly.
KRISTINA: Well, I for one cannot wait to hear what you’ve been getting up to these past seven days and to discover what exactly has brought you here for judging. Without more ado, let’s take a look.
She turns to the screen behind them, filled with the previous day’s CCTV footage of the renowned death row building. Grand and imposing, a facade for a justice system that knows no remorse, the pain of the prisoners travelling along its death row cells – one each day of the week – hidden by its sleek doors and shiny frontage. The reality of the sentence given by public vote on the seventh day obscured by its neon eye logo above and its promises of entertainment for all who tune in to watch.
The feed focuses on Gus, standing a little apart from a mass of demonstrators holding placards reading ‘A Life For A Life’ or ‘We Demand Safe Streets’. The placard Gus holds says ‘One Person, One Vote’, and his mouth moves as he chants, shifting his weight from foot to foot to keep warm before punching the air with a fist.
A car pulls up; Gus throws down his placard and charges forward. As the crowd descends on the car, rocking it and pushing it, the camera pulls back. Gus is lost among the mob. The car tips onto its side then over to its roof. Glass shatters across the road and the picture cuts before zooming close on a grainier image: a young woman crying on the ground, then an elderly man sitting at the roadside with a cloth held to his bleeding forehead. It shifts again, freeze-framing on Gus, his face contorted in anger and his hands resting on the upside-down car.
Kristina turns to Gus and shakes her head.
KRISTINA: I think I speak for us all when I say we are somewhat shocked to see your behaviour. Behaviour that clearly led to the injuries of innocent civilians, that young woman and that frail senior citizen among many others.
She turns back to the screen.
KRISTINA: But let’s see what your actual charge is.
The image of Gus slides to the right side of the screen while on the left the word ‘CRIME’ illuminates in large blue lettering. Underneath it rows of LEDs flash and the tension builds. The lights stop with a bang; formed by them is a list: ‘PUBLIC AFFRAY, CAUSING A NUISANCE, INCITING RIOTS’.
The audience murmur.
In the witness box Gus raises his hands in the air and his mouth opens and closes but no sound can be heard. The security guard unclips his baton from his belt and taps it on the glass in warning.
KRISTINA: Three public-order offences. Three. How do we feel about that, ladies and gentlemen?
Tutting ripples through the audience.
KRISTINA: Is this the type of man we wish to see on our streets? Someone who we’ve previously given the benefit of the doubt, but has thrown it back in our faces? Someone who has pretended to be an ally to our sister programme, Death is Justice, but has continued to associate with criminals? Someone from the impoverished Rises who we’ve befriended and supported, yet is unappreciative of our kindness? Do we want him on our streets?
The audience jeer.
KRISTINA: Not on my watch, I say. But this is not my decision to make. It’s yours: the people’s. Your land, your rules, your democracy – in your hands. The decision is with the three representatives who’ve bravely put themselves forward for the task, who’ve paid their own good money for that honour and for the responsibility of representing the thoughts and opinions of you, the public. But first, let’s find out what Gus Evans’s sentence would be if our panellists do find him guilty.
Again she turns to the screen. Beneath the list of crimes, the word ‘TOTAL’ appears and next to it a row of LEDs flash and flicker and again stop with a bang. It reads ‘7 YEARS’. Kristina gives a low whistle.
KRISTINA: Quite some prison term you’ve racked up there, Gus. Don’t you think so, viewers? My word. But, I have to say, much deserved. And, of course, a vital message and deterrent to any others with thoughts of upsetting the status quo.
She strides across the studio floor towards Gus.
KRISTINA: But of course, in this true democracy of ours we could not ask the panellists to deliver a verdict without first hearing from our defendant.
She stops at the witness box. Spotlights above her and Gus brighten.
KRISTINA: Gus Evans, you have thirty seconds to make your statement, starting from …
On the screen behind them, the image of Gus at the crime scene is replaced with a large, digital :30. The sound crackles as Gus’s microphone is turned on.
KRISTINA: Now!
The display reads :29 immediately.
GUS: Errr …
KRISTINA: These precious seconds are yours to persuade us of your innocence, Gus. Don’t waste them!
GUS: I … er … all I did –
KRISTINA: Perhaps you feel honesty is your best policy here. Although I do have to point out that – unlike the past justice system – we do not make deals!
She laughs.
KRISTINA: We believe in proper and fair punishments for crimes, not leniency for admitting you’re a criminal when the fact is already plain to see!
The display reads :16.
GUS: I didn’t do nothing! I held a placard, that’s all! I didn’t start no affray! Didn’t cause no riots or nothing! This is bullcr—
His voice is cut off. The display reads :00. His mouth moves as he shouts unheard, spit flecking onto the glass, his palms slamming against it, everything smeared and steamed up.
>
The camera moves to a smiling Kristina.
KRISTINA: Time’s up, I’m afraid, Gus. Let’s turn our attention to our panellists. Do they think justice as important as we do, viewers? Audience?
Her high heels click along the studio floor as she strides towards the panellists. The lighting changes, spotlights on Ava, Sadiq and Candice. Above them the 3D eye logos crackle like static as each iris glows an ice blue.
On the screen the timer reverts to :30.
KRISTINA: Panellist number one, Ava, we come to you first. You’ve seen the video clip, you’ve heard Gus’s defence, you now have thirty seconds to make your decision.
A timer ticks loudly as the numbers count down. Ava’s elderly hand hovers over the button in front of her.
KRISTINA: Ava, I shall have to hurry you. If you wish to vote Gus guilty and send him to prison for the seven years, then you have –
She glances to the screen.
KRISTINA: – ten seconds to decide. Remember, press the button for guilty, don’t press if you think him inno—
Ava slams both hands onto the buzzer. Above her the eye brightens, crackles louder and brighter blue shines down on her.
KRISTINA: One down, two to go. A majority needed. Gus, if Sadiq votes you guilty, you’ll be heading off immediately to begin your sentence. Sadiq, your decision, please.
The display begins its countdown again. Sadiq’s hands lie flat on the desk, one either side of the buzzer. He stares at it. Blue from the eye above shines down on him. His hands tremble.
KRISTINA: Fifteen seconds, Sadiq.
He lifts both hands and they hover over the buzzer.
KRISTINA: Ten.
The display pulses with every second. The audience chant the countdown. Sadiq looks to Gus, folds his arms across his chest and shakes his head.
KRISTINA: Five. Still time, Sadiq. Three. Two. One.
The eye above Sadiq closes and fades to black. He’s drowned in darkness.
KRISTINA: Well, ladies and gentlemen, viewers at home, what a surprise! I, for one, thought this an open-and-shut case. It seems, Gus, that you’ve been given a lifeline – but maybe not for long!
Kristina steps towards the next person.
KRISTINA: Panellist number three – Candice – the decision is all yours. Gus’s fate lies in your hands. But are they hands ready to deliver justice? Let’s hope so. It’s all down to you. Press that buzzer and Gus Evans, former death row inmate and now accused of three – yes, three – public-order offences that resulted in the injuries of hundreds of innocent civilians, will serve his seven years in prison. Candice, follow your heart. Your thirty seconds start … now.
The timer begins again. Every second flashes blue over the darkened studio.
Candice places her hands on her cheeks in mock horror. The audience shout advice; she spins around to see them. Some give a thumbs down, a few shake their heads.
CANDICE (shouting): I don’t know what to do!
She shrugs, reaches across the desk and rests both hands on the buzzer. They shake. The audience cheer, but as she glances up to Gus their eyes catch. He flicks a smile and she pulls her hands back again.
The audience boo and jeer.
KRISTINA: Fifteen seconds, Candice. Ask yourself – would you want to be caught up in an affray with this man? What about your mother? Your grandmother perhaps? What is your heart telling you to do? Twelve seconds.
CANDICE (shouting): I don’t know!
The display flashes down to ten … nine …
Candice looks back to the audience. One man is staring intently at her.
KRISTINA: Seven seconds, Candice, six … You need to act now.
The man mouths something to her and she reaches into a pocket. Unseen to camera, she glances down to a business card. An address is scrawled across it and the words ‘Audition tomorrow if he goes down’.
KRISTINA: Three … two …
Candice glances to the man and back to the buzzer.
KRISTINA: One …
Candice slams her hands down and above her the eye glows brighter, bathing her in iridescent blue.
On stage Gus sways in the witness box and rubs a hand through his messy hair. His mouth forms the shape of words that can’t be heard. The audience cheer. Kristina smiles.
KRISTINA (loud, over the audience): Well, ladies and gents, viewers, audience, a good result, I believe. One I’m certain makes us all feel safer. Gus Evans, despite your pleas of innocence, justice has prevailed. The people have spoken. You are going down!
Spotlights come up and dance across the stage as a victory tune blasts. The security officer unlocks the witness box.
KRISTINA: Gus Evans, you will now begin your sentence with immediate effect. Your crimes, as severe as they are, mean the full term of your incarceration – seven years – will be served with no eligibility for parole or early release.
Some of the audience stand and slow clap as Gus is taken across the stage, his hands cuffed behind his back but his head still up.
GUS (shouting): This is a joke! A sham! All I did was tell the truth, but nobody wants to hear it. So they stitch me up! Wake up, you morons. Wake up!
KRISTINA: Thank you for joining us, viewers, and thank you panellists for ensuring justice is served.
The guard drags Gus across the stage, but as he nears the panellists’ desk, away from the eye of the camera, the man who looked at Candice leans from the shadows.
MAN (whispering): We warned you, Gus; you didn’t comply. This is the result. This is how powerful we are. You shouldn’t have forgotten.
The man blends back into the darkness. Now with his head down, Gus is led away.
Acknowledgements
This book would not be in your hands without the help and support of a lot of people, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have had them by my side.
Big thanks to a group of people who always welcome me back out of my own head, make me laugh, remind me that there is life outside of my laptop and have offered me the most wonderful friendships over the last few years, all while getting wet, muddy, sweaty, out of breath or trying not to drown: John Sharp, Stephen Johnson, Martin Ball, Simon Sharp, Tracey Wilkinson, Kate and Richard Conway, Jo and Steve Hunt and, of course, Jackie Hall.
Thanks to Peter Bretan for his sensible name suggestion and for drinks and cake while standing in the middle of a lake on New Year’s morning.
When I was first thinking about Cell 7, I read an essay by historian Liz Homans entitled Swinging Sixties: The Abolition of Capital Punishment, and I’d like to thank her for such an informative and interesting read that really sparked me to think ‘what if …?’
Thanks to Ian Durant for taking the time to chat and offer insight into the current legal system in the UK, and to Miriam Barber for the introduction.
The YA community is such an incredibly supportive place and I feel honoured to be part of it, so thanks go to all of the Manatees (you know who you are!) and the Author Allsorts. You guys are the best.
Special thanks go to authors Rebecca Mascull and Emma Pass, who both read early drafts of this and have been my rocks, my sounding boards and my worrying partners. Your support, your friendship and your kindness mean more than you could ever know.
Huge thanks to my wonderful agent, Jane Willis (at United Agents) who, in my house, is referred to as Agent Jane, complete with super-agent cape and super-agent powers, for her enthusiasm from the very beginning and her continuing support. Also at UA, thanks to Julian Dickson and Emily Talbot, and for all things film and TV, thanks to Yasmin McDonald.
I feel very privileged to have been welcomed so warmly into the Hot Key family and would like to thank Emma Matthewson for all her advice and hard work at helping this become a better book. Thanks to Jenny Jacoby for her keen eye (and I promise no more ‘mutters’!), to Ruth, Monique, Rosi, and to James Fraser for a stunning cover.
And finally, thanks, love and promises of cheesecake go to my brilliant family. My husband, Russ, my children, Jes
s, Dan and Bowen, my dad Richard, my step-mum Ann, and my brother Colin. I love you all.
Kerry Drewery
Kerry Drewery is the author of two other highly acclaimed YA novels tackling brave topics: A Brighter Fear, 2012 (Love Reading 4 Kids Book of the Month and shortlisted for the Leeds Book Award), and A Dream of Lights, 2013 (nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal, awarded Highly Commended at the North East Teen Book Awards, shortlisted for the Hampshire Independent Schools Book Awards). Kerry and fellow YA author Emma Pass organised a hugely successful UKYA Extravaganza at both Birmingham and Nottingham Waterstones. Before writing full-time she was a BookStart Co-ordinator for BookTrust. She was a finalist in a BBC Scriptwriting for Children competition and has a first class honours degree in Professional Writing. Kerry lives in Lincolnshire between the countryside and the sea, in a house filled with books, films and dogs. Follow Kerry on Facebook at facebook.com/KerryDrewery, Tumblr kerrydrewery.tumblr.com and Twitter @KerryDrewery
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First published in Great Britain in 2016 by
HOT KEY BOOKS
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Copyright © Kerry Drewery, 2016
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
The right of Kerry Drewery to be identified as Author of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988
The reality TV show to die for. Literally Page 25