Transcript For Strip 342

Panel 1
Three-shot of Nicole, Bustamante, and the Prosecutor, standing on the two white platforms. (Also the bailiffs standing behind Nicole and Bustamante.) Nicole is in a forward stance, declaring her independence. Bustamante is taken aback.
Nicole: I have been held incommunicado since my arrest!
Nicole: I have had no chance to contact my assurance company and obtain the defense I contracted for!
Panel 2
Two-shot of Nicole and Bustamante, looking daggers at each other.
Nicole: Mr. Bustamante has imposed himself upon me, falsely claiming to have been sent by my assurance company.
Nicole: A simple library search reveals that he has other affiliations.
Panel 3
Looking past Bustamante and Nicole toward the bench and its image of a troubled-looking Neopolitan.
Bustamante: Your honor, may I approach the bench?
Neopolitan: You may not, as you have no claim to represent any party in this case.
Panel 4
Shift angle now so that we see the Prosecutor (Ms. Schroeder) on the left and the bench/Neopolitan on the right. The Prosecutor is looking nervously at her Screen.
Neopolitan: Ms. Schroeder, do you have a record of Ms. Oresme making her guaranteed tel call?
Schumacher: Ah, well your honor, she arrived badly injured and went straight into the medi-vat ...
Panel 5
Three-shot of Schroeder, Nicole and Bustamante, with Schroeder in the right foreground, the other two in the medium distance. Nicole is looking assertive, Bustamante like he doesn't know where to hide.
Schroeder: She was decanted yesterday morning, and ... well ...
Schroeder: She should've gotten her tel call then but I guess there was some clerical error ...
Panel 6
Medium shot of Neopolitan's image. He's looking alarmed.
Neopolitan: Some clerical error??
Neopolitan: The state has DENIED this defendant the right to call for her own assistance, which is guaranteed in the Lunar Constitution and precedent set centuries earlier?
Panel 7
Neopolitan in high dudgeon.
Neopolitan: May I remind you that the liberties guaranteed by the Constitution were purchased in BLOOD by our courageous forebears of three centuries past?
Neopolitan: This court will not sanction the violation of these sacred principles under cover of bureaucratic incompetence!

Panel 8
Nicole and Bustamante and the two bailiffs. Nicole is applauding the judge. Bustamante and the guards are rolling their eyes.
Neopolitan (OP): Defendant WILL receive her guaranteed tel call, without delay!
SFX: [Nicole clapping]

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