Sycamore Row

place and somewhat settled, Jake nodded at Portia who opened a side door and retrieved her mother. Lettie was dressed for church and looked great, though Jake had told her she could wear anything. “It’s just a deposition.”
    She sat at the end of the table, with Jake close by on one side, the court reporter on the other side with her stenographic machine, and her daughter not far away. She looked down the long table, smiled at the horde of lawyers, and said, “Good morning.” Every single lawyer returned the greeting with a smile. Off to a good start.
    But only for a second. As Jake was about to start the preliminaries, the large main door opened and Rufus Buckley walked in, briefcase in hand as if he had business there. The courtroom was empty—not a single spectator—and it would remain so upon the order of Judge Reuben Atlee. Obviously, Buckley wasn’t there to observe.
    He walked through the swinging gate of the bar and took a seat at the table. The other nine lawyers watched suspiciously.
    Jake was suddenly itching for a fight. He called out loudly, “Well, hello, Rufus. So nice to see you out of jail these days.”
    “Ha-ha, Jake. Such a comedian.”
    “What are you doing here?”
    “I’m here for the deposition. Can’t you see?” Buckley shot back.
    “Who do you represent?”
    “The same client I’ve had for a month. Simeon Lang.”
    “He’s not an interested party.”
    “Oh, we think he is. We think it might need to be litigated, but our position is that Mr. Lang has a direct pecuniary interest in the will contest. That’s why I’m here.”
    Jake stood and said, “Okay, let’s stop right where we are. Judge Atlee is on standby in case there’s trouble. I’ll run fetch him.” Jake left the courtroom in a hurry and Buckley settled into his seat, somewhat nervously.
    Minutes later, Judge Atlee entered from behind the bench, minus his robe, and took his usual position. “Good morning, gentlemen,” he said gruffly and without waiting for any response said, “Mr. Buckley, using as few words as possible, please tell me why you’re here.”
    Buckley stood with his customary purpose, and said, “Well, Judge, we still represent Mr. Simeon Lang and—”
    “Who’s we?”
    “Mr. Booker Sistrunk and myself, along—”
    “Mr. Sistrunk will not be appearing in this courtroom, Mr. Buckley, not in this matter anyway.”
    “Okay, well, then our position hasn’t changed. Mr. Simeon Lang is a party to these proceedings and—”
    “He is not, nor will I allow him to become a party. Therefore, Mr. Buckley, you are not representing an interested party.”
    “But that has not been finally determined.”
    “It certainly has. By me. You have no business here, Mr. Buckley. And this deposition is closed.”
    “Come on, Judge, it’s just a deposition, not some secret meeting. The testimony will be added to the court file and available to the public.”
    “That’s for me to decide at some future date.”
    “Judge, what she says today will be sworn testimony, and it will become a part of the record in this case.”
    “Don’t lecture me, Mr. Buckley.”
    “I’m sorry, I didn’t—”
    “These depositions will be sealed until I review them. Frankly, Mr. Buckley, I don’t like being put in the position of having to argue with you. Need I remind you of what happened the last time you said too much in this courtroom?”
    “No need for that, Judge,” Buckley said.
    “Good day, Mr. Buckley,” the judge said at full volume.
    Buckley stood helplessly, in disbelief, both arms outstretched as if stunned. “Seriously, Judge?”
    “Dead serious, Mr. Buckley. Good day, sir.”
    Buckley nodded, reached for his briefcase, and made a hasty retreat from the courtroom. When the main door closed behind him, Judge Atlee said, “Carry on,” and disappeared.
    Everyone took a deep breath. Jake said, “Now, where were we?”
    “I kinda miss Sistrunk,” Wade Lanier drawled, and got a few laughs.
    “I’m sure you do,” Jake said. “He and Buckley would have scored well with a Ford County jury.”
    Jake introduced Lettie to the court reporter, the other lawyers, all names and faces blurred by the sheer number, and he went into a lengthy explanation of the purposes of a deposition. The instructions were fairly simple. Please speak clearly, slowly, and if a question isn’t clear, ask that it be restated. If uncertain, say nothing. He, Jake, would object to anything objectionable, and please