The Melaswen Paradox (Read 329,490 times)

[mae00]

I'm glad Philip is going to see Claire.

I'm very curious as to what is in that file and syringe now. Interesting that she's not going to have this conversation with Claire. Just Chase, Shawn, & Belle.

[André DiMera]

Thursday - 5/12

SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL - FLASHBACK
Chase, Shawn-D and Belle had been joined by Kayla in Claire’s room. Chase held Claire’s hand.
SHAWN-D: So, what does all this mean?
KAYLA: Well, I’m sure it hasn’t escaped your attention that, after making significant progress for a few weeks, Claire’s recovery seemed to plateau. One could even go so far as to say, it almost came to a halt.
BELLE: Yeah, that’s pretty accurate, I’d say. So, you’re saying that this nurse who was drugging Claire, that she’s responsible for Claire not making any more progress?
KAYLA: She was the main factor in that, yes.
CLAIRE: What…did she…do to me?
KAYLA: The drug she gave you is a hybrid of a few different drugs. One of the effects of it was the delay in your speech. Most coma patients have some speech problems when they first wake up, but tend to get some if not most of their speech back as they adjust to being awake. In your case, as you know, this didn’t happen. One of the other effects of the drug is that it can give a patient vivid dreams, sometimes even hallucinations.
CLAIRE: I…had both…of those.
CHASE: What did you hallucinate?
CLAIRE: This…girl. The one…I told you…about from…my dream.
CHASE: Shawna?
SHAWN-D: I’m sorry, Shawna?
BELLE: The girl from Claire’s dream while she was in a coma. The one who claimed to be your daughter with Jan Spears.
CHASE: How come you never told me about this?
CLAIRE: I…thought maybe…my hallucinations…were dreams.
Claire looked at Kayla.
CLAIRE: What…about my…hands?
KAYLA: That’s one of the few things that wasn’t caused by the drug. According to Lily, with more therapy, you should still get full use of your hands back. It’ll take time, but it will get there.
BELLE: So, what do we do about all of this?
KAYLA: Well, the first thing is to get her off of this drug, which we’ve done. It may take a few days to get out of her system, but after that, we should start seeing significant improvement. Who knows? Maybe in a week or two, you’ll have regained enough motor function to go home.
SHAWN-D: And what about the person who did this to her?
KAYLA: I’ve sent it up to the medical board, they’ll decide her fate, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she won’t be working here anymore. Claire, if you’d like to press charges, I want you to know that you’ll have my full support.
CLAIRE: I’ll…think about it. Right now…I want…to focus on…getting better.
KAYLA: That’s understandable.
Philip burst into the room.
PHILIP: Claire, thank god you’re okay!
CLAIRE: Uncle Philip! When…did you get…back?
PHILIP: Late last night. Maggie told me what happened and I had to come see you for myself.
Maxine walked into the room, followed closely by Melanie.
MAXINE: I thought we just discussed waiting. Dr. Johnson, I’m sorry, I did try to tell Philip to wait, but he was very insistent.
PHILIP: Of course I was!
MELANIE: Philip, like Maxine said, Claire, her parents and Chase are in the middle of talking to their doctor. We really should wait.
KAYLA: It’s fine, I think we’re just about done here, actually. Claire, if you have any questions, please let me or Maxine know, okay?
CLAIRE: Okay. Thanks…Aunt Kayla.

SALEM COURTHOUSE
Belle took a deep breath and shook her head. So much had happened in the last 24 hours, not the least of which included getting ready for today’s hearing. The room was half full, mostly of the families of Charlie’s victims. Allie walked over.
BELLE: Hi, sweetheart. How’re you doing?
ALLIE: Okay, I guess. Not exactly excited about this, but here we are.
BELLE: Indeed. I know the feeling. We just have to hope that things will go our way, and if this goes to trial, we’ll fight to make sure it does.
The door to the courtroom opened. Sofia, Javier and Ricky walked in.
SOFIA: Mrs. Brady.
BELLE: Mr. and Mrs. Morales, Ricky, thank you all for coming.
JAVIER: Thank you for always keeping us in the loop about this.
BELLE: Of course. Come, take a seat with us.
Ricky and Allie drifted towards each other.
ALLIE: I’m glad you’re back again. It feels weird saying that, considering the circumstances, though.
RICKY: I know what you mean. Mami called a few days ago to tell me about the hearing. My finals wrapped up the day before yesterday, so I got on the next flight out here. It’s good to see you.
ALLIE: You too. I missed you.
Ricky and Allie hugged.
RICKY: I’ve missed you, too.
Allie and the Morales family sat down towards the front of the room. Belle sat at her table in front. The table across from her was empty, except for a few sheets of paper. After several minutes, the Bailiff walked to one side of the room.
BAILIFF: All rise. Court is now in session. The Honorable Judge Karen Fitzpatrick presiding.
Everyone stood up and Judge Fitzpatrick walked into the room. She sat at the bench.
FITZPATRICK: Please be seated.
Everyone sat down. The Bailiff handed her a folder.
BAILIFF: Case number 1734, hearing for the case of the People of Salem v. Charlie Dale.
FITZPATRICK: Thank you. Please have the defendant brought in.
The bailiff nodded and went to the back of the courtroom. A moment later, the door opened, and Charlie was brought in, escorted by two officers. They helped him sit down, and one of the officers sat at his side.
FITZPATRICK: This is a hearing for the case of the People of Salem v. Charlie Dale. The People of Salem are represented by Belle Brady. Mr. Dale, who is your representative?
With help from the officer, Charlie stood up.
CHARLIE: I intend to defend myself, Your Honor.
Allie and Ricky glanced at each other.
FITZPATRICK: Very well. Charlie Dale, you are accused of five counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, one count of possesion of child pornography, and one count of distributing child pornography. How do you plead?

[heroicmuse]

I'm surprised the judge allowed Charlie to represent himself without questioning why he was doing it. Is he going to claim incompetent counsel when it doesn't work out?

I can't wait for Philip and Claire's reunion. I'm glad Kayla told everyone what was going on. I wonder if Shawn and Belle can press charges regardless of Claire's opinion, and whether they will want to.

Great chapter André DiMera.

[tghca]

Charlie will plead not guilty obviously and then this will go to trial

But for Charlie he's going to have to face the victims and their families in court

[krw627]

I'm shocked that the judge didn't question Charlie for defending himself; but, this is Salem and he might be better off.

[Kpatch]

I laughed at Philip charging into the room, and nothing, not even Maxine, was going to stop him.

I hope Charlie pleads guilty. Sad reunion between Allie and Ricky. The proceedings felt very realistic. Not sure why Charlie needed help sitting and standing.

[mae00]

I'm not a bit surprised by Philip not waiting to see Claire once he was at the hospital.

So Charlie is defending himself. I don't like this one bit. This forces every witness to have to interact with him.

[lumiforeverandalways]

Just caught up and wow

[André DiMera]

Friday - 5/13

SALEM COURTHOUSE
Charlie smiled. He glanced over his shoulder at the people watching, his eyes lingering on Allie.
CHARLIE: Not guilty.
ALLIE (under her breath): What the…
Ricky swore in Spanish under his breath. A small commotion started amongst those watching the hearing. Judge Fitzpatrick banged her gavel.
FITZPATRICK: Silence. I will have silence in this court.
The noise died down.
FITZPATRICK: Thank you. Mr. Dale, your plea of not guilty has been noted. This case will be going to trial. The trial shall begin on the 23rd of May 2022. Officers, please escort Mr. Dale to my chambers. I wish to discuss his decision to defend himself. This court is adjourned.
Judge Fitzpatrick banged her gavel and stood up.
BAILIFF: All rise.
Everyone in the courtroom stood as Judge Fitzpatrick left the room. The two officers escorted Charlie out of the room next. Then, everyone started milling around and talking. Belle sighed.
BELLE: Okay, we always knew this was a possibility, no matter how upsetting this is.
ALLIE: I can’t believe he’s defending himself.
RICKY: How’s that work, anyway? I didn’t really know the guy, but I didn’t think he was a law student.
JOHNNY: He wasn’t.
The group looked over. Johnny and Meadow walked over.
ALLIE: When did you guys get here?
MEADOW: Right before the hearing started. After what that monster did to Meadow, I had to come and see what happened to him.
JOHNNY: And in answer to your question, Ricky, no, Charlie isn’t a law student.
RICKY: I didn’t think so. So, how can he defend himself?
BELLE: According to state law, as long as you’re of legal age and competent, you can defend yourself in court. That’s why the judge wanted to speak with him, to determine if he is competent enough to defend himself or not. If he is, then he can defend himself.
ALLIE (thinking): I really hope he’s not.
BELLE: Either way, there is more than enough evidence to put him away.
SOFIA: I certainly hope you’re right.

OUTSIDE SALEM HIGH
Much later in the day, it was nearly time for the 2022 Last Blast Dance to begin. Students gathered outside of the school and were slowly making their way in. A car pulled up outside of the school.
LUCAS: Here we are.
SYDNEY: Thanks for driving me, Lucas. I really didn’t wanna have another discussion with Mom about how she thinks I’m making a mistake.
Lucas sighed.
LUCAS: I know your Mom can be a bit much sometimes, but she loves you.
SYDNEY: I know, and I love her too, but she’s being ridiculous!
LUCAS: Can’t argue there.
SYDNEY: I mean, Silver and I are just friends. I know that, and more importantly, so does Silver. We both agreed that we’d go as friends, so I don’t see what Mom’s problem is.
LUCAS: I’d like to think, in her own way, she’s trying to protect you from getting hurt. She means well, but I don’t think she entirely gets it. Hey, don’t worry about your Mom. You just have a good time tonight.
SYDNEY: Thanks. I will.
LUCAS: I’ll see you later tonight.
SYDNEY: See you. Thanks again.
Sydney got out and waved to Lucas as he drove away. She turned and saw Silver standing by one of the doors.
SYDNEY: Hey.
SILVER: Hey.
SYDNEY: I love your dress!
SILVER: Thanks! I like yours, too. So, you ready for an awesome night?
SYDNEY: Totally! You?
SILVER: Absolutely! Let’s go!
The girls linked arms and walked in together.

[heroicmuse]

It's not surprising that Charlie pled not guilty. Most defendants do, either in the hopes of getting off at trial or because they think they will get a deal from the DA later.

Him defending himself will turn the trial into a circus. I hope the judge doesn't allow that to happen.

I can't wait for this year's Last Blast Dance. I'm glad Lucas encouraged Sydney not to let Sami's attitude interfere with her having a good time.

Great chapter André DiMera. Will there be previews?

[tghca]

Love that Sydney and her step father Lucas are close but don't you think EJ should have been the one to escort his own daughter to the dance?

I knew Charlie would plead not guilty and this case would go to trial but the evidence is overwhelming but I know bare murder cases where the evidence was overwhelming and the accused got off either cleanly or on a technicality. Let's just hope Charlie doesn't get off because if he does, he'll be free to kill again. Here is hoping the judge throws the book at him and he either gets life in prison or he gets the death penalty by lethal injection.

[Kpatch]

Charlie is so creepy, the way he stared down Allie when he registered his plea.

Last Blast time!

[mae00]

I'm not a bit surprised that Charlie pled not guilty. It's just another form of torment for all of his victims' families.

Oh I hope that Silver and Sydney can keep their friendship in tact. I know that both girls have stated that it's just going to be as friends, but a dance has a way to bring out unexpected things. I'm glad Lucas is being supportive of Sydney. I get a feeling that she my need it.

[lumiforeverandalways]

Charlie is a real creep

So glad Lucas can escort Sydney to the dance and told her to not let Sami get in the way of having a good time

[André DiMera]

Thanks for reading and commenting, everyone!

---

Next week…

The 2022 Last Blast Dance kicks off.
SILVER: This is beautiful!

And Sydney shares some news.
SYDNEY: I found out something.

And later this week, Jan’s final hearing takes place.
DANFORTH: Jan Spears, step forward, please.

Meanwhile, could Claire’s long nightmare possibly be coming to an end?
CLAIRE: This ends…now.

All this and more next week on THE MELASWEN PARADOX!