VENTURES: First To Fold

DAY 6- The Conference Room at McCluskey/Cozen/Connor and Pratt

The Oral Arguments continued.... On one side , Olivia, Beverly, Nelson, Josie, Bresha, Keith , Bee Bee, Sofia and Kahlil argued brilliantly that their clients, Yvette Jones Lockwood, and partners McCluskey,Cozen,Connor and Pratt were guilty of nothing and that these charges in the lawsuit were baseless and that they were not inclined to pay a red cent to the defendent, Sylvia Lively and in fact they might consider charging her for their legal fees...

With the James Smith hearing over and he indicted for yet another murder....I was free to sit in with my comrades today...I sat quietly next to Jade...who had done an excellent job of investigating this case.

Yvette and Mr. McCluskey, Mr. Cozen, Mr. Connor and Mr Pratt sat alongside of us...They were very pleased with the way we had comported ourselves...

After 4 days ,Wallace Payton dropped out.

Had decided that this case was going nowhere fast...They were being out lawyered by these bothersome

younger attorneys...He quit and informed Michelle that she would get his bill.

H.Stanley Stanlison dropped out the next day and for the same reason....

This left only Michelle Aiken, the original attorney and

Tamara Perri from New York....

''We aren't going to give you a red cent....So I suppose we'll see you in court."said Olivia.

Michelle Aiken did not want a court trial...She realized now she wouldn't win....

But Sylvia wanted her to do anything it would take to win her her huge sum of money.....

"You know if you had tried coming to these hearings on time sometimes....You'd of heard the particularsYou'd of seen the mountain of evidence they have against you and seen why two of my attorneys have quit this case..It;'s going nowhere..."said Michelle.

"Well it's quite obvious you all have failed to come to an agreement here, so I suppose, going to court is your only option." said the Arbitrator.

A Court date was set for next week!

II-

WE WENT BACK TO THE BRIDGE BUILDING!

It was nice having lunch with our friends..

"Heyyyyy you guys are eating with us again....We've missed you.."said Jazzy..

"How'd everything go?" asked Dabnis.

''We are going to court.." said Yvette.

"You didn't want to go to court did you?" asked Kayla.

''We didn't , but believe me, They don't want to go to court either..."said Olivia.

"Two Attorneys have dropped out already....It's just a matter of time."said Beverly.

"Yeah I heard, Wallace Payton and H.Stanley Stanlison...the two worst..hahahahahaha."laughed Ray.

"I didn't expect those two to fold so quickly.." said Nelson.

"I think they realize they were on a sinking ship and they bailed before the ship took on water." I said.

We all laughed.

"Hey why don't you guys come over my house for dinner tonight...We can go shopping after work, rather than eat dinner here."said Jessica to Bee Bee.

"That's fine with me....how about you Honey Bunny?? Sofia??" asked Bee Bee.

"That's cool...We haven't really hung out with Jessica and Chip for a minute." said Keith..

"That's fine with me...You okay with it Papi?" said Sofia.

"That's fine...A little dinner, some quiet conversation..."said Kahlil.

"You guys did well...You all have the day off tomorrow." said Yvette.

"Ohhh Thank You!"said Bee Bee.

"Thanks Boss Lady."said Keith.

"Thank Youuuuu!" said Sofia.

"Thank you."said Kahlil.

"You are so good to your employees Yvette."laughed Chip..

"I'm just glad you didn't let that girl get away with a 10 million dollar Payday." said Karen , who was having lunch with her husband, B.L. today..

"WOW THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN QUITE A HAUL!" he said.

"No that would have been highway robbery."said Natalie...

"Who you tellin?" said Beverly.

David laughed.

"Olivia, I heard that James Smith got indicted for your Uncle's Murder...I'm Happy for you." said Brooke.

"Yes...I didn't think Justice woud ever catch up with him for that one...but it has."said Olivia.

"The Only bad thing is...His execution is going to be held up until he goes on trial for your Uncle's Murder..but I can wait."said Sean.

"At least Justice is being served.." said Zoey...

"Yeah" said Lem.

"I was hoping you guys woudn't have to go to court.."said Renee.

"Yeah , Me too!" said Tyrell.

"They don't want to go to court either."said Olivia.

"Trust me , they don't."said Beverly.

"They're going to come to us with an offer any day now." said Nelson.

"That's what I think too Nelson."said Virginia.

Jade concurred.

Paris and Tony were happy to be reunited with their wives Josie and Bresha.

They both sat at corner tables, kissing passionately...

"They remind me of us... always kissing." laughed Lee to her boyfriend, Matthew ,who was working in our building now at the Innocence Project..

"If I wasn't so hungry I'd be kissing you now.."laughed Matthew..

"Olivia, Yvette, I know you two are tired...but when this all over...let's go shopping...We haven't hung out in awhile." said Nina.

"That sounds great." said Olivia.

"Yes..." said Yvette.

Carlos just smiled.

In the ladies room at McCluskey/Cozen/Connor and Pratt-

Sylvia was in the women's room applying lipstick and make up...She smelled a familliar fragrance...

"I needed to see you..." said Michael Zucker...

"You've seen me every night for close to two weeks...You're the reason I've been late to my hearings...we aren't supposed to be seen together...I don't work here anymore...or at least for right now.." said Sylvia.

"I don't care...I'm crazy about you." he said. He took her in his arms and kissed her..

"OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU I THOUGHT ABOUT YOU ALL MORNING!"he said.

"I'VE GOT A BONER FOR YOU THAT WON'T QUIT!" he moaned..

"MIKEY STOP IT!!!" she said and eased out of his embrace... "ENOUGH!! WE'VE DONE IT ENOUGH!" she said.

He had a lipstick smudge on his jacket from their kissing...

"Considering I paid your legal fees up til now and you haven't received a cent.in renumeration....I think I should be able to kiss you when I want."said Mike Zucker..

"How bout if I tell the partners that you've been supplying my attorneys with information and you've paid my lawyer fees up until now? What will happen to you? Mr. Senior Associate? You can forget being partner and you might end up unemployed just like me...Now back off...No more sex...No more late night lovin....You had your fun...I had mine...We are both adults... You knew this wasn't going to last or at least you should have."snarled Sylvia..

She walked out of the bathroom, leaving Mike Zucker

standing there, looking and feeling foolish...and hurt..

III-

An otherwise warm fall night...

Olivia didn't say anything...She smiled at me.... She left the bedroom and went into the bathroom

She returned in a pink babydoll and pink string bikini panties.

"You Like?" she asked.

"Ohhhhhhhhhh I like...I like." I said.

"I thought you would.." she giggled...

She slowly and softly kissed me...

She kissed me and didn't stop...breathing heavily and continuing to kiss me...

I slowly slipped her panties down.....

Olivia smelled so good...Her skin was so soft.....I was delirious....

I, lifted her up....and slowly and softly entered her...

"OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" she moaned....

"OH MY GODDDDD!" I said...

"UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM HUSBAND....OUUUUUUUUU" she cooed..

"OLIVIA!!!!" I whispered loudly...

We crashed on the bed, not talking ,kissing each other passionately.....

Olivia straddled me ,spread her legs and eased down on me again....riding me slowly and slowl;y driving me out of my mind..

Riding me cowgirl style.

"OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU! GIVE IT TO ME DADDY!" she moaned....

"OH MY GODDDDD!" I said...I was losing my mind...delirious,not knowing if I was coming or going..

"UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM HUSBAND....OUUUUUUUUU" she cooed..

"OLIVIA!!!!" I whispered loudly...

"DONNIE RAYYYYYYY!" she cried out..

"OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU...OHHHHHHHHH MY WORRRRRRD!" she moaned...

"UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM...PUT IT IN...PUT IT ALL IN...OUUUUUUUUU!" she cooed.

"AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW SWEEET BABYYYYYY! UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!" I moaned...

"OUUUUUUUUUUUUUU IT FEELS GOOD...IT FEELS GOOOD! IT FEEEELS GOOOOOD TO ME!!! IS IT GOOD TO YOU BABY? IS IT GOOD TO YOU?!" she cried out...

"AWWWWWWWWWWWWW LAWWWWWWWD! YES ...YES LAWWWWD!!!" I moaned loudly.

"OUUUUUUUUUUUUUU GIVE IT TO ME DADDY, GIVE IT TO ME!!" she cried out..

"OHHHHHHHHHHHHH....OHHHHHHHHHHHHH...AWWWWWWWWWWW LAWWWD!" I cried out.

We made love for the next NINE TO TEN HOURS !!!!

"End of a splendid day." sighed Olivia as she lie on my chest breathing heavily...

"Yes indeed." I said. The last thing either of us was thinking about was the Sylvia or James Smith.

Downstairs in Beverly and Nelson's bathroom...

Beverly stood in the bathroom, washing up...Taking off her lipstick and make up....

Nelson came up behind her...

"Tomorrow , let's go shopping over in the shopping center." she said.

" That'll be cool..." said Nelson...

"You'll like that won't you?., Look at you with your big ole hard self behind me...I feel that thing... "laughed Beverly.

Nelson giggled....Took Beverly in his arms..

"I always get excited thinking about you." he said softly...

He and Beverly began kissing...

"AWWWWWWWWWWW!" she said..

"I love kissing you." he said.

"I love kissing you too!" she said.

As their kissing got more passionate....Nelson got more excited.....

"UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!" he moaned.

"OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" she cooed as they continued to kiss.

He slipped her panties down.....

He spread her legs and entered her from behind...doggie style.

"UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM....OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!" she moaned..

"OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH........AWWWWWWWWWWW LAWD BEVERLY!" he moaned loudly..

She laughed.....

They sat on the side of the bed with Beverly riding him slowly and kissing him...

"NELSON, I LOVE YOU SOOO MUCH!"she said, moving up and down on him....

"I LOVE YOU TOO...I ALWAYS HAVE..." he said.

"AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!" she said as she continued to ride him..

"OUUUUUUUUUUU NELSON!" Beverly moaned as he rolled her over on the bed..

"BEVERLY GIRRRRRRRRRRRLLLL!" Nelson moaned..spreading her legs and mounting her again...

He spread her legs and entered her again...Her body began to tremble mightily....she was wet , her skin was baby soft, Nelson was losing his mind...humping away at Beverly mightily...Her head was turning from side to side, sweat and tears were flowing down her face...

Beverly had several back to back orgasms....She was openly crying like a little girl as she and Nelson made sweet love for NINE TO TEN HOURS!

She wound up resting on his chest , while he held her gently and drifted off to sleep.

Also that night while we were in coital bliss....

"Looks like this kid took a header off the top of that building..."said a CSI man, snapping photos...

Another CSI man said...

"I have his Drivers License and his Work ID and Bar Association card...He was an Attorney...Geeez, he worked in this building on the 20th floor at McCluskey/Cozen/Connor & Pratt....His name was Michael Zucker..." said another Crime Scene Investigator...

"Oh My God.....What a way to die....I know it's too early to call ,but this looks like a suicide..."said dr. Hazel Baylor, looking at the broken body....

"He was there way after working hours.....I've talked to several employees who were working late...No one remembers seeing him after lunch."said one of the Homicide Detectives on the scene..

"No one reported him being distraught or depressed..."said another...

"I know him....I was working late...I'm one of the partners...Robert Connor... That's Mikey alright...He worked under me...He was a senior Associate Attorney, one of our rising stars...I don't understand why he would have killed himself..He had everything going for him..."said Robert Connor..

"Oh My Goodness...Such a tragedy....You never know what's on someone's mind." said Dr. Marcy Martin looking at the broken body of Mike Zucker..

"I've talked to people inside and people who were working....Few people saw this guy after lunch....He apparently waited for most of the employees to leave work and he made his way to the roof and jumped.. Looks like a suicide... My God!!! What was troubling this guy that much?" asked Lt. Tragg...

"Bag him and tag him boys." he said.

They put his mangled body into a body bag, strapped it to a gurney and rolled him toward a van that would transfer him to the morgue.

HOURS LATER-

Upon hearing the news of Mike Zuckers death by suicide...Sylvia was filled with guilt and remorse..

She broke into tears...She never meant for all of this to happen.

IV-

THREE DAYS LATER-

In a tony coffee shop in town...

Olivia, Beverly and Yvette met with Attorney Tamara Perri.

"Thank you for meeting me here. I speak with full authority for Michelle Aiken and Sylvia Lively....

This is our proffer...Nobody wants to go to court....You guys don't and we don't..." said Tamara Perri.

Olivia sat with her niece, Beverly and Yvette sat with Virginia....

"We don't want to go to court, but we are prepared to go to court and fight this out if we can't get to an agreement."said Olivia.

''So we are here today to hear your proffer." said Beverly.

"Remember ..That 10 Million dollars is completely off the table in any offer or proffer."said Yvette.

''So what is your proffer?" asked Virginia, the only non attorney there.

Their coffees arrived.

"Here is the proffer...The 10 Million dollar demand has been totally dropped....What we want is for Sylvia to receive her job back...and receive all of the back pay that she lost since this began."said Tamera.

"What do you think Vettie? Sounds reasonable enough...The firm doesn't lose any money..."said Olivia.

"It sounds fair enough....I'll contact the other partners and get back to you Tamera...but that sounds fair enough."said Yvette...

"Okay...this is farther than we've gotten in over a week."said Tamera smiling as they all drank their coffee..

ONE WEEK LATER-

Sylvia Lively was re-instated as an Attorney at McCluskey/Cozen/Connor and Pratt... She was paid all of her back pay....She was demoted from Senior Associate Attorney to Associate Attorney...She lost her office and wound up back in a cubicle....

Several of her contemporaries snickered behind her back as they walked past her...She wasn't so high and mighty now...

She walked past Mike Zucker's empty office....There was a black towel on his office chair... She couldn't help crying several times and whispering-

"I'm so sorry Michael...I'm so sorry..." she said.

Friday Night, we were all in the NO I.D. BAR...

"Well with the case over...You should hang out with us tomorrow Tamera...We are all going shopping in Bayside at a beautiful shopping center."said Olivia.

"You'll have a good time." I said.

"I'd love to, but I have to get back to New York....My Boyfriend is going stir crazy....hahahahahahah, I'm satisfied that my work here is done...That spoiled little girl is lucky to be able to get her job back after the stunt she pulled, Suing all of the partners..demanding 10 milli...I knew you guys weren't going to fold from jump street." said Tamera.

"You came up with the best proffer."said Beverly.

''Still it's better than she deserved. She got her job back and she got her back pay...Money they would have paid her anyway.."said Nelson.. "She gained nothing." he continued.

"I heard she got demoted to Associate Attorney from Senior Associate Attorney." said Josie.

"Damnnnnnnnnnnnnn!" said Paris, laughing...

"She got her job back, but got a demotion....Even getting her back pay doesn't seem like a win." said Bresha.

"It wasn't a win....I imagine being demoted lead to a major pay cut." said Tony.

"Oh of course it is."said Alfreda.

"Imagine the humiliation....I imagine her co-workers are laughing and snickering behind her back.."said Rockland..

"I want to thank you all....I'm so glad this is over..."sighed Yvette.

"And your firm didn't have to pay 10 million....I'm certain the partners are happy."said her husband, Gary.

"They're ecstatic.."laughed Keith.

"That Guy, Mike Zucker, who killed himself....I wonder what that was all about.?" said Bee Bee.

"He was a nice guy...I remember talking to him a few times when I was over main building."said Sofia.

"People said he was depressed...but I saw him a few times when we were over there..He looked fine to me..."said Kahlil.

"Just goes to show, you never know what's on someone's mind." said Jade.

"So True."said Danny Ho.

"We went to the funeral....that girl, Sylvia really took it hard..."said Virginia..

"Not her week huh?" said Jetty...

"I like this place...it's real chill."said Tamera Perri..

"That's what we like about it..."said Jazzy.

"They have a great brunch on Saturday Morning, We come to that too!" said Dabnis.

"I tell you what...You and your Boyfriend come back and visit us before the Christmas Holidays next month and you can hang out with us here and our other spots, Stoleys, Aqua Bar, Josies and out in Bayside."said Kayla.

"Take a few days off... And don't worry, we can put you both up for the week."said Ray...

"I have an extra room in my Office/duplex, where you two are welcome to stay."said Olivia.

"I can't turn that down...Give me your phone numbers and email and I'll get back with you.sounds like fun."said Tamera Perri.

''Will do." said Olivia.

"You'll have a great time."said Jessica.

"Yes." said Chip.

"I know Yvette and Olivia are relieved that this is all over."said Karen.

"Yes indeed."said B.L.

"This case was ridiculous to begin with..That girl was going to sue all of the partners of his former place of employment????WOWWWWW! And now..now she's working there again with a demotion. All she got back was the back pay that they would have paid her anyway."said Natalie.

"Can you imagine how that feels? People are probably laughing at her behind her back."said David...

"That's not the half of it...The Blow to her ego...Oh My God!"said Brooke.

"I don't feel sorry for her...Play stupid games, win stupid prizes."said Sean.

"That's right..That's right."said Zoey.

"Alls well that ends well." said Lem.

"I'm treating Yvette to something nice tomorrow." said Renee.

"Awwww that's nice of you." said Tyrell.

"It's a good weekend..." said Lee.

"Yes, I feel like celebrating."said Matthew..

"That's why we are here tonight." said Nina..

Carlos raised his glass..

"VIVA!" he said.

EPILOUGE-

Former Judge James Smith was tried and convicted of the murder of Elroy Bennett in 1971.

Again he was sentenced to death....

He now had 4 Death Sentences....A record for the state....

Olivia was at the courtroom when he was sentenced. She looked at him and snickered as he was sentenced and walked out of the courtroom....

She remembered that conversation she had with him in April...

"Wait! Wait....You need to know as much as I need to unburden myself.. Yes...I murdered your Uncle...

In June of 1971...He was the first person I ever killed...It was a surreal feeling.. I didn't give it a second thought...My parents money shut down the official investigation...I felt invincible, I put it out of my mind. My mother was mortified...She suspected that I did it...but she wasn't going to say anything...Not spoil our standing in the community! She took me to psychologists and therapists...Some told her what she wanted to hear that nothing was wrong with me...One told her I was a sociopath....She didn't want to hear that!

By the time I killed my wife and the man she was cheating on me with....I really had gone over to the dark side.. Part of me felt horrible, but part of me needed protection from it. Zack Roman helped me discard the bodies....I was about to be put on the Federal Bench....I couldn't allow him to live with that knowledge and one day use it against me...He thought he had an insurance policy...I showed him he did not."he said. Now he was smirking, laughing maniacally...He was truly a monster.

She didn't believe he would ever pay for her uncle's murder...but now, today, he had...He was convicted and sentenced to death... He had four death sentences and eventually, he would be executed...She smiled broadly....

He stared at Olivia ,who had defied him in a way no other attorney had defied him..Bringing him up on charges before the Legal Ethics Board...and going to an Appellate Court to have one of his rulings overturned.. No one had ever stood up to him like that....And now here she was basking in his further humiliation at being convicted of the murder of an uncle she never met, Killed before she was even born, How ironic.