Toker approached the podium as if it and all present were enemies. He was a huge man, the sort you wouldn't approach with bad news. "Mr. Sigfried Toker, do you swear..." and Toker's eyes scanned the room for something to hate. They found the pale thin figure seated in the defense area. Toker was asked to describe the character of the deceased. "Magna and I have known each other for 41 years. We co-managed the old C.Z. Tech corporation. Magna was a class act and a good friend." Blood was visible boiling in Toker's face. If Magna were in the courtroom he'd advise his friend to calm down and take a seat. As is the case with many great teams the two men used personality contrasts to make a whole greater than the sum of its parts. They'd enjoyed many a success with Magna using cold sober logic and his friend providing the incentive and passion. "Magna was the kind of man who saved lives just by appearing at work each day..." and thus began a long trail of inflated claims and exaggerated anecdotes. The magistrate allowed Toker to finish and then spoke. "Mr. Toker, I'm sure there are many here who loved and admired the deceased but he is not running for office from beyond the grave. We're all reasonably intelligent adults here, let's confine our statements to the world of reality." Toker's face was now red as the cherrywood podium. "I just want it known that Magna was a great man and demonstrated his worth with actions. A much greater man than the swollen skin scraping who murdered him." Toker stared at #1 as if his eyes themselves could gain revenge for the death of his friend. The courtroom was suddenly a hive of noises and discussion. "Order, " the magistrate yelled. "This kind of insulting behavior cannot help justice in any sense. I will tolerate no more! Please step down. Toker looked at the jury one last time and his eyes told them to believe in Magna, threatened them to believe. 023