A Lively Court Hearing
New York Municipal Court was especially lively today...
The trial of the Manhattan Axe, combined with Donald Depp's wild performance on Morning News first thing this morning, had completely ignited the enthusiasm of the media and the public!
Large crowds of demonstrators had gathered along both sides of the road outside the courthouse. They split into two groups, standing on opposite sides and holding completely different signs as they shouted slogans...
"Battle Axe, not guilty! Battle Axe, not guilty..."
"Justice for Battle Axe! Justice for Battle Axe..."
One side doubted the justice system; the other believed in it. Two completely different attitudes stood in opposition, yet, strangely enough, the atmosphere between them wasn't too hostile.
Nobody hated Alvin. He never drew attention to himself or caused trouble. He only appeared before the public when New York was facing its worst crises, and otherwise rarely even left that godforsaken place, Hell's Kitchen...
Who could hate someone like that?
Even among those who wanted Alvin to stand trial, not one of them truly hated him. Everyone understood that if Alvin wasn't willing, nobody could "put him on trial"...
But if the Manhattan Axe was willing to pay for his "mistake," then others... Mutants, and those who harmed Mutants, would have no way to escape the punishment of the law...
Alvin drove to the courthouse with his family, who were all in somewhat grim spirits...
He glanced at Fox, dressed in black lace in the passenger seat, then at Nick, sitting stiffly in the back in a black suit, and little Ginny, in a black lace dress...
"Darling! This is just part of Chief George's and my plan. I'm not actually going to prison. Isn't dressing like you're attending a funeral a bit over the top?"
As he spoke,