Court, February ------

I sit still in the packed courtroom as a tall, noble looking man approaches the judge.
I assume he must be a lawyer in such a suit, with such a dignity.
His mocha skin stands apart from the rest of us, pale with winter's frost.
The judge looks him over slowly and then spells his name aloud,
" B H A G W A N T"
Bhagwant Patel.
He nods solemnly as the judge begins to weave his tale for all of us to hear.
"On the night of February ----- you came into confrontation with a state trooper, correct?
You were stopped for a traffic violation, illegal lane change, correct?
At that time the office smelled alcohol on your breath, correct?
And, you admitted to consuming several alcoholic beverages before driving your vehicle, correct?
You also refused a breathalizer, correct?
You are pleading guilty to the charges of driving under the influence of alcohol,
And by doing so, give up your right to a trial, correct?
Then, as an official of this court, I hereby sentence you to
12 hours of community service, $500 in fines, and 7 months suspension of driving priveleges.
You are dismissed."
Bhagwant Patel drags himself out of the courtroom,
His eyes stone cold sober.
I gulp,
And hope that my name is not called next.