Judge Harrison: What are you talking about, young lady?
Evelyn: Don't listen to her, Judge! She is just a mentally unstable maid trying to ruin my dinner party!
Maya: I am telling the truth! Please, Judge Harrison, turn the chair upside down!
Judge Harrison: Silence, both of you!
The older gentleman dusted off his tuxedo sleeves and leaned down toward the mahogany chair. The dining hall remained completely quiet as he grabbed the wooden frame and flipped the heavy chair upside down onto the marble floor.
Evelyn: Judge, this is ridiculous. Security is on their way to drag her out to the street!
Judge Harrison: Hold your tongue for one second, Evelyn.
Judge Harrison reached down and inspected the dark underside of the seat cushion. His eyes suddenly locked onto something metallic protruding from the center spring. Tucked discreetly between the leather padding was a sharp, silver syringe fitted with a long needle, strategically rigged to trigger downward the moment anyone sat on the cushion.
Judge Harrison: Good God...
Maya: I saw her doing it! I saw her rigging it twenty minutes ago when the room was empty!
Judge Harrison: What is the meaning of this?
Evelyn: I... I have no idea what that is! Someone must have framed me!
Maya stood up from the floor, her voice steady and clear despite the tears still running down her face. She pointed her finger directly at Evelyn's chest.
Maya: She put it there! She tried to poison you!
Evelyn: You lying little snake! How dare you accuse me in my own mansion!
Maya: I watched you slip a clear plastic vial into the syringe right before the guests walked in!
Evelyn: Judge Harrison, she is lying! She probably put it there herself so she could play the hero and ask for money!
Judge Harrison: Evelyn, look at me.
Evelyn turned toward the judge, her lips trembling as she tried to force a innocent smile. But Judge Harrison didn't return the smile. His eyes were cold with absolute fury. Without warning, he stepped forward and delivered a sharp, heavy slap across Evelyn's face.
SFX: Heavy slap impact sound
Evelyn stumbled backward, gasping in shock as her hand flew to her bright red cheek. The surrounding guests let out a collective gasp of utter disbelief.
Evelyn: Judge... you hit me?
Judge Harrison: You tried to murder me in broad daylight, you wicked woman!
Evelyn: I didn't do it! You have to believe me!
Judge Harrison: I presiding over your family estate lawsuit tomorrow morning, Evelyn. Did you really think killing me would stop the verdict?
Evelyn: That has nothing to do with this!
Judge Harrison: Lock the doors! Nobody leaves this hall until the police arrive!
Maya: Thank you, sir... Thank you for believing me.
Judge Harrison: You saved my life, child. Now tell me everything you saw.
Evelyn backed away toward the grand exit, her eyes darting nervously around the room as two heavy security guards stepped into the doorway, blocking her only path of escape.