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Bottom Line

Ronald Brunsky

    As the jurors returned, a vivid scene played in Forest’s mind. His conscious thoughts seldom strayed from that fateful night. The fear he saw in her eyes, the pleas for mercy, moments before he pulled the trigger.
    The large caliber round found its target, and a millisecond later Linda Kellerman’s soul belonged to the ages. The prominent CEO had done exactly what he had dreamt about for years. He had blown her brains out, literally.
    The once beautiful woman whose family’s investments had allowed Forest’s highly successful enterprises to get off the ground, and who had raised their three children, had committed the cardinal sin of becoming older.
    Had he gotten away with pre-meditated murder? Did being able to afford the best defense attorney in the country allow him to remove a boring wife, who no longer excited him, with no consequence?
    Forest nervously looked over at his attorney. Had the million dollar plus fee been worth it?
    He had scouted Jack Levins well in advance of the actual murder. He knew his record — never lost a case. He also knew that Jack liked the high profile cases, and of course only handled the well to do — the extremely well to do.
    His presence in the courtroom was breath-taking. He was a master of his craft — born for this arena; it was truly his medium. His mannerisms and style would make Perry Mason or Ben Matlock look like amateurs.
    Time and time again the most determined witnesses for the prosecution turned into whimpering, stuttering, spineless piles of putty when interrogated by Jack. He also possessed the uncanny ability to assess the jurors, finding the ones who were of high moral character and would have difficulty sending someone to their death or life imprisonment without overwhelming evidence.
    Constantly, he would remind the jury that before they would bring in a verdict of guilty, they must be sure beyond a reasonable doubt. Relentlessly, he would hammer this into each juror’s consciousness. This tactic proved very effective in planting the seeds of indecision, and reservation about casting what was once a certain guilty vote.
    After weeks of finding cracks in the prosecution’s case, he would unravel his opponent to the point of desperation.
    And finally you knew victory was his when in his summation he would state: members of the jury, the bottom line of this case etc.
    As the jury foreman stood up, Jack Levins winked at his client. He was confident of the verdict. Once again, he had been at the top of his game. It didn’t matter that he knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that on that hot August night, one year earlier the accused had shot his wife. All that mattered was the challenge of the contest.
    “We the jury find the defendant, not guilty.”
    The bottom line, as Jack would always say, was he had come out victorious. Money once again had prevailed over justice. A rich CEO would walk out a free man, even though there was little doubt about his guilt.
    While images of disgust not surprise filled the courtroom, Jack hugged his client. Jack had kept his perfect record intact. The most sought after defense attorney in the country had worked his magic again. What did it matter if he knew his client was guilty? Would he be the best, if he only got off the innocent?
    He had won another case; not by making an effort to reveal the truth by uncovering the facts, but with tried and true tricks of his profession, that took advantage of every legal sham, maneuver and loophole.
    Jack quickly left the courtroom, avoiding the vengeful stares of the victimized family members — they knew the truth.

#######

    After catching an afternoon flight, Jack had a late dinner with his family. While relaxing with his victory bottle of Chteau Lafite Rothschile Pauillac 1966, he searched the news channels for details of his conquest.
    “Here it is. Hey, everyone, quiet.” he yelled.
    “Superstar defense attorney, Jack Levins has done it again. The verdict is in, and CEO billionaire Forest Kellerman has been acquitted. The speculation that Mr. Levins could never overcome the mountain of evidence against his client was proven wrong, when the jury took but forty minutes to bring in their verdict.
    We’ll have more on this later, but first this breaking story. Scientists are scoffing at the recent warnings given by Professor Jerome Harns, a famed volcanologist. You may remember Harns who campaigned vigorously for Green Party and legal reform candidate Lester Mandrake.
    In an interview this morning, Harns, considered a maverick by his fellow scientists, predicted that the super volcano located under Yellowstone National Park would erupt in approximately six months. Harns believes that the eruption could leave up to half of North America covered under four feet of hot ash and the estimated 250 cubic miles of rock and dust thrown into the atmosphere could block out the sun’s rays, sending our planet into a permanent freezing winter season for seven years or more.
    This cataclysmal event is also expected to trigger a simultaneous chain reaction of high magnitude earthquakes along all of the world’s major fault lines, starting with the San Andreas. This could then produce tsunamis hitting all of the continental shores with towering waves of one hundred feet or more.
    The initial catastrophe and the ensuing ice age could wipe out more than 95% of mankind. Harns cited his findings based on years of collected data.”
    “Wasn’t he a friend of yours from Harvard,” asked Jack’s wife Sally.”
    “Yes, he is a brilliant man. Matter of fact, I’ll be seeing him soon; we have a reunion coming up. But, as far as this eruption thing, I think he’s just blowing smoke — looking for some attention.
    “Like the spotlight all to yourself, don’t you Jack?” laughed Sally.
    “I knew this pleasant night wouldn’t last.”
    “You could always tell me that you have to go to your office and work, wink, wink.”
    “And what’s that supposed to mean?”
    “You know exactly what it means. How stupid do you think I am?”
    “I’m going to bed.”

#######

    As the weeks went by, the scientific community came down hard on Professor Harns for scaring the public — in their eyes, unnecessarily. They argued he had no substantiated evidence and his prediction could easily set the stage for widespread chaos and panic. They reassured everyone that there was no immediate danger, that no one really knew when the eruption would occur, and more than likely the event was at least several thousand years off.
    However, Professor Harns’ continued to argue for support of his findings. New data coming from Yellowstone only reaffirmed his view. He was now absolutely sure that the huge caldera sitting under Yellowstone Park would erupt the second week of September.
    But, his warnings were now falling on deaf ears, as the media had been cautioned by the Federal Communications Commission to stop airing the doomsday prophecy, fearing the public’s reaction.
    A spokesman for the F.C.C. said, “We will no longer be broadcasting Professor Harns’ prediction. We feel he is a rogue scientist prone to sensationalism and his uncorroborated remarks will only lead this country into a state of turmoil.”
    Soon, Professor Harns and his story were all but forgotten and relegated to the tabloid magazines, alongside stories of alien abduction.
    The media rapidly diverted the nation’s attention to a juicy, scandalous affair they had just uncovered involving a high ranking senator.
    Yet slowly, Professor Harns started to gather a following. Although only a few hundred people at first, it did include wealthy industrialist, humanitarian, and all-around entrepreneur Clay Hazen. He believed in Professor Harns’ prediction and offered his vast array of talents along with his total financial support.

#######

    The Harvard class reunion of 1992 gave Jack and Jerome the opportunity to visit.
    “Been a long time, how are you Jack?”
    “Can’t complain. Life’s been treating me pretty good.”
    “Oh, and congratulations, you’re really unbeatable in the courtroom.”
    “Thanks, I didn’t expect a compliment, knowing where you stand on our legal system.”
    “Just a courtesy, Jack.”
    “You can’t possibly believe that a legal reform bill would ever get through congress? Duh ... do you know what percentage of politicians are lawyers?”
    “Jack, don’t you realize that the legal system has a stranglehold on this country? Do you know that in America there is one lawyer for every 250 people — while there is only one doctor for every 450? Don’t you think that is outrageous? Do you think our forefathers ever intended lawyers to wield such power?”
    “You’re really envious, aren’t you Jerome?”
    “No, not at all. I’m just like the millions of citizens who have had enough; and want their country back.”
    “If you were knocking down several million a year like me, you wouldn’t be complaining. Admit it, you picked the wrong field. Volcanologist ... whoopee — what did you make last year, hundred grand?”
    “No not quite, but I have no regrets. Anyway, Jack, I think this argument may be a bit pointless.”
    “Oh yea, cause you think the world is coming to an end.”
    “My prediction is backed up by a lot of data, Jack.”
    “Then, how come your peers don’t support you?”
    “They just don’t put any stock in the way I evaluate data.”
    “Then, why should anyone else. The bottom line is: what have you done, that makes your opinion reliable?”
    “Well I don’t suppose you remember the late Warren Liesenfue?”
    “No, never heard of him.”
    “Well, he predicted Mount St. Helens eruption within one month of the actual event, five years earlier.”
    “Lucky guess.”
    “I don’t think so, Jack. I’m using the same methods that Dr. Liesenfue used. I’ve checked and rechecked my findings and I am positive that there will be an eruption in six months. As a matter of fact this September is my target date.”
    “So, even if you are right what are we supposed to do?”
    “If the country supported my idea, we would have the resources to save several million people, but as it is only a handful will survive, maybe a few thousand.”
    “Well, Jerome, I’ll trust the majority — that’s my bottom line. I’m not going to worry about your crazy prediction. Things are going too well. My services are in demand all over the country and I might even run for public office.
    You know we ought to make a date to meet here ... let’s say October first — I’ll bet you a drink that you’re full of hot air.”
    “That’s one bet you’re going to lose, Jack, and I’m afraid it’s going to cost you a lot more than a drink.”

#######

    The professor’s solution to save at least a minute portion of mankind was to utilize large natural caves that went far below the surface and existed in several countries. They would stay there until the dust had settled from the atmosphere, and the climate had returned to normal.
    One cave in particular, located in Canada, Professor Harns thought would be perfect. It was over two thousand miles from Yellowstone and was virtually unknown, accept to a few Spelunkers. Professor Harns came across it, quite by accident, when he was exploring an ancient volcano site.
    Obtaining the rights to the cave was where a person like Clay Hazen excelled. The Canadian billionaire had much influence in his native country, and besides his obvious benefits of unlimited wealth he was the perfect man to somehow finagle the rights to the cave.
    Hazen came up with a plan, and quickly organized a secret deal with Canadian officials. He leased over one hundred thousand acres in extreme north eastern Canada, on the pretense of doing a feasibility study for mining radium bearing ore; the cave that was of interest to Professor Harns happened to be located smack dab in the center of that chunk of real estate.
    The H.N.S., Humanity’s Next Step, as the followers of Professor Harns were called, almost immediately began the process of setting up the site. It was a logistic nightmare to be sure, with the group now two thousand strong and growing.
    The supplies needed to maintain the eventual population of the shelter for a minimum of seven years, was enormous. Luckily, very little fuel would be required for heat, as the cave would maintain a constant temperature of slightly over sixty degrees.
    Once again the invaluable Mr. Hazen came through. Since he owned several trucking firms and had previous experience as a logistic coordinator in the military, overseeing the organization of the shelter was right up his alley.
    Meanwhile, Professor Harns’ continued attempts to warn the world of the coming disaster still met with unrelenting resistance. He finally recognized the futility of his struggle, for without the support of the scientific community and his Volcanologists colleagues in particular, the effort was doomed.
    He knew the remaining time must be devoted to finding more willing souls to join H.N.S. It was now almost certain that after the eruption the only likely survivors on the planet would come from the Canadian shelter. This fact would influence his recruiting methods, as they would become more secretive and selective. The only people who would now be considered to join their group would be on a need basis — people with special talents for that future date when the H.N.S. group came out of the cave to carve out a new civilization.
    It was now early August, and the professor’s followers numbered nearly five thousand, the shelter’s capacity. The remaining spots would be saved for the very last days.
    Ironically, Professor Harns now feared the country would reverse their opinion on his prediction, and create a potential for mass hysteria. The cold fact was that even if the country changed its mind, time had nearly run out, it could only put his shelter in jeopardy.

#######

    The last few months had been very busy for Jack. He had been preparing for a blockbuster trial, involving a famous movie star that was scheduled to begin the last week of September. He would be defending Lilli Victoria, the blond bombshell who allegedly poisoned her third husband.
    The event has had the whole country talking about nothing else since it happened three months ago. Jack was sure this was the case that would finally make him a household name, and whisk him into political office.
    With the trial scheduled to begin in less than a month, Jack, who was now separated — his numerous infidelities had finally caught up with him, was taking a brief respite in Vegas, and while relaxing in his hotel room some disturbing news came across one of the news channels.
    “In our latest breaking news, if you remember the story we ran earlier this year about a prediction of a volcanic eruption from under Yellowstone Park — well you’ll want to hear this.
    Last March, Professor Jerome Harns predicted that the super volcano that resides under Yellowstone Park would erupt in September. At the time, his prediction was soundly denounced by the rest of the scientific world, but today veteran volcanologist, Dr. Louis Glouster has come forward in agreement with Professor Harns.
    We want to assure everyone that these are the only two scientists that feel we are in danger of a super eruption.
    Dr. Glouster reviewed Professor Harns’ findings and found his calculations to be accurate, he agrees that an event of unseen proportions in civilized times will happen the second week of September.
    Once again, however, we want to assure our viewers that this opinion is from an extreme minority. Almost the entire scientific community insists that there is no imminent danger at Yellowstone Park.”
    “The bottom line is: I’ve got to play it safe,” Jack thought. “Maybe Harns knows what he’s talking about. I can’t take any chances — I can’t be left behind. I’ve got to get a hold of him, before it’s too late.”

#######

    The time was fast approaching the predicted week. Professor Harns demanded that everyone report to the shelter no later than September fifth. The following day all entrances would be blasted shut, and then there would be several million tons of dirt and rock between them and the outside world.
    The desolate region of the cave, combined with Clay Hazen’s mining ploy idea had kept the shelter’s location in complete secrecy. Never the less Professor Harns had recently stayed clear of the site until the time had come to enter for good — on the chance that he would be followed.
    It was early afternoon on September fifth and the Harns family was about to board their private plane. The morning news had been quite ominous. Authorities feared the worst, as huge lava flows were springing up all over Yellowstone. Combined with the increased earthquake activity, the eruption of the super volcano now appeared imminent. Washington ordered an immediate evacuation of everyone living west of the Mississippi.
    All major interstates were soon bumper to bumper as millions of people attempted to distance themselves from the Yellowstone area. Airports in the west were rescheduling flights and bringing in as many planes as possible to help with the evacuation. The military rushed in huge cargo planes to help with the epic rescue attempt. C-5s, C-47s and C-17s had already arrived in the Los Angeles, San Francisco and Denver airports. The president was working feverishly with governors in all the eastern states, requesting their help in sheltering the huge number of soon to be arriving evacuees.
    Suddenly, a call came through on the professor’s cell phone.
    “Jerome, it’s Jack, you don’t know how long I’ve been trying to reach you. The bottom line is: you finally convinced me. I realize that you were right all along. Where do I go? What do I have to do? Is there a shelter?”
    “I’m sorry Jack.”
    “What do you mean, you’re sorry? You don’t understand — I believe you ... I know it’s really going to happen. You have to help me.”
    “Jack, the shelter is full. If we did take anyone else, they would have to possess skills we can use. I’m sorry, but that’s the way it is.”
    “What do you mean a skill you can use? I graduated cum laude from Harvard. Which one of your followers can say that?”
    “We need teachers, doctors, nurses, engineers, builders, farmers — Jack, civilization will have to start over.”
    “I’m the best defense attorney in the country. I’ve never lost a case. They want me to run for political office. I’m a winner. You know that!”
    “Jack, I’m optimistic about the new society that will eventually emerge from the shelter. We will definitely benefit from the mistakes of the past. Someday, my descendents may look back on this eruption as a great turning point for mankind.
    Your ability to get a murderer off is a skill, hopefully, we will never need again. The days of the lawyer-driven world will soon be behind us, thank God, and that Jack is the bottom line!”

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