ANDIE DEGRASSE was fifteen minutes late that morning. That morning of all mornings. How could it have happened? Well, easy…

First, Jarrod couldn't find his math book. Then the IRT was backed up, signal switches down. Then, when she finally reached the City Hall station, the two blocks to the courthouse were barricaded off, all because of this damn trial.

It took her fifteen minutes just to get herself through security. A heavyset female guard in a blue blazer went through her purse like it had al Qaeda emblazoned on the buckle. They checked her cell phone like it was a WMD. Finally, Andie said,"You know that big Mafia trial up on the seventh floor?" The security guard nodded."Well, it's not starting without me."

By the time she had burst through the jury-room doors, everybody was sitting around the large conference table, looking nervous and tense.

"Sorry." Andie sighed loudly, acknowledging a few familiar faces."You don't even want to know."

"Ms. DeGrasse," Sharon Ann announced, checking off names,"it's really good you could make time for us in your busy schedule."

Already in trouble. Andie sat down sheepishly. She found herself next to Rosella, the Hispanic woman she had been next to during jury selection.

"That leaves only Mr. O'Flynn." Sharon Ann looked at the list, unamused.

A couple of men were reading or doing crosswords. Two of the women had brought paperback novels. There were bagels and muffins and coffee on the table, courtesy of the judge.