"Life Sentence"

We spent an hour at District Court this morning, supporting a friend.  It was fascinating to watch the flow of humanity and pursuit of justice and restitution at its most plebeian.  There was one lawyer who inspired in me visions of a television series about a man in his 60s who's been a lawyer for the lost and forgotten all his life, somewhat lost and forgotten himself but robust and brimming over with personality.  A booming voice, a thick head of graying hair, a suit off the rack and two ties that he alternates on even and odd days.  He might be played by Peter Gerety. 

The show would be called "Life Sentence" and would air at 9:00-10:00pm on Thursday nights.  All the stock characters would be there (were there this morning):  patiently elegant but firm lady judge; sexy female lawyer in miniskirt, spike heels, and plunging neckline; young male public prosecutor, just out of no-name law school and unsure of himself; scruffy just-turned-30 male lawyer who would have moved on from District Court long ago if he'd been able to get out of bed earlier; tough female lawyer in men's pants and a silk blouse; sympathetic female court advocate, brunette with trendy blond highlights and stylish yet sensible clothing; crusty old bird bailiff, tiny but fierce. And Peter Gerety, lawyer with poise and personality big enough for courtrooms three times the size of this one.  Plus the whole wide gamut of people who make their way through District Court for a whole wide gamut of reasons.  Endless storyline possibilities.  All of which illuminate the heights and depths of our common humanity as we support each other through this sentence we call Life.  L'chaim.  Or as Peter Gerety would say, "Sláinte!"