Turnabout Succession - Transcript - Part 1



Episode 4 Turnabout Succession

...And that is the whole truth of this case.

In order to understand it myself... ...I had to know the story of these last seven long years.

Nothing happens by chance... All is connected.

And now... ..you stand ready to begin the final chapter of this story.

Will the defendant be found guilty, or innocent? The decision is yours.

October 7, 10:37 AM Wright Anything Agency

Trucy:

Hey, Apollo! Look, on TV! Look! Look!

Apollo:

Yeah... uh, I'm kinda busy.

Trucy:

Whoa! Look at that! He's the last Gramarye, alright! Amazing!

Apollo:

......

Trucy:

Apollo, you should be watching this!

Apollo:

Ow ow ow! What? What!? ...I was writing about our last case in my journal.

Trucy:

Lawyers are supposed to write things in "records", Apollo, not journals. And why now? That case was three months ago.

Apollo:

Hey, it's a long story. ...I did a lot, you know. I want to vacuum pack the feel of the moment for later. Right now I'm wowing the crowd by figuring out how Lamiroir disappeared.

Trucy:

That's right! Uncle Valant did that illusion, too! But you're missing him on TV right now!

Apollo:

* sigh*... I was just getting to the good part. (I suppose I should watch a little TV with her. After all, her father's expecting me to look after her while he's away...)

Announcer:

What you're now seeing is a rehearsal for the greatest magic show on Earth... ...happening right here at our very own Sunshine Coliseum!

Apollo:

The Sunshine Coliseum? Hey, that's where the Gavinners concert was!

Announcer:

...Only three more days until miracles happen here, right before your unbelieving eyes! The legendary Troupe Gramarye is performing for the first time in seven years!

Trucy:

That's going to be great! I'm so there! You and Daddy are coming, too!

Apollo:

(The legendary Gramaryes... ...If Trucy's real father were still alive... ...he'd be on that stage performing miracles.)

Trucy:

I've got the tickets and everything! Here's yours, Apollo.

Magic Show ticket received.

...*squeak*...

Phoenix:

Ah, you are here. Working hard or hardly working? Hey! How have you been?

Trucy:

Hi there, stranger!

Apollo:

(Not exactly the kind of greeting I'd want to hear from my own kid. Though he has been gone a long time.)

Phoenix:

Ah ha ha, how goes it, Trucy? Here, I got a present for you.

Trucy:

Yay! Pudding! I love pudding! Ooh, it's farm-fresh! And not just one pudding, but three whole cups! I'll have to pace myself.

Phoenix:

Well, I'm beat.

Trucy:

That's right, Daddy. You're on a top secret mission ! You've got to take it easy with the secrets, you know.

Phoenix:

Ah ha ha. How right you are.

Apollo:

So, you still can't tell us what your " mission " is?

Phoenix:

...... Maybe it is time. It has something to do with you, anyway.

Apollo:

Huh? With... me?

Trucy:

Ooh! Maybe you're getting a top secret mission, too! Maybe you can be one of those guys! A spy!

Apollo:

(Can't I just be a defense attorney...?)

Phoenix:

Ah ha ha! To be honest... ...telling you about the mission was my whole reason for coming here today.

Apollo:

What...?

Phoenix:

Tell me... ...you've heard of the Jurist System, yes?

Trucy:

The Jurist System...?

Phoenix:

That's right. The new legal system everyone's talking about.

Trucy:

Have you heard of it, Apollo?

Apollo:

Huh? Uh... Maybe?

Phoenix:

...... Maybe not as many people are talking about it as I thought.

Apollo:

(The " Jurist System ", huh?)

(Talking about "The Jurist System" and "The secret mission" leads to:)

Apollo:

So... what kind of case is the trial simulation about?

Phoenix:

Well, since it is the first run through of a new system, I wanted something simple.

Trucy:

Good thinking! No sense wearing yourself out on something too serious!

Phoenix:

True. The case is a murder.

Apollo:

That's not simple at all!!

Trucy:

By "simple", did you mean that the defendant is...

Phoenix:

...Guilty. Yes. Most likely. ...So, good luck, Apollo.

Apollo:

Um... with what?

Phoenix:

With the trial tomorrow. You're defending, of course. Recall that I said it had something to do with you.

Trucy:

Go for it, Apollo! It's just a test case, anyway. No sweat!

Apollo:

Yeah, but there's still a verdict to be decided.

Phoenix:

...And a potentially serious sentence. The most serious, in a worst-case scenario.

Apollo:

Ack! You mean... the verdict's for real!? That's not a "test" trial! That's a... real trial!

Phoenix:

All the forms have been filed. There's no turning back now. The trial begins tomorrow at 10 AM. Hope you can make room in your schedule.

Apollo:

Wh-Why am I only hearing about this now!?

Phoenix:

...Ah, yes. There was a change this morning. ...I picked a new case.

Apollo:

Eh...?

Phoenix:

...Something that happened last night.

October 7 Detention Center Visitor's Room

Apollo:

......

Trucy:

......

Apollo:

That's 20 minutes we've been waiting here! 20 minutes!

Trucy:

Maybe I should complain? I'm sure that guard has better things to do than stand there pretending he doesn't see us.

Apollo:

You know the minute we get angry, the client will show. It always works that way.

Trucy:

Like shouting, "Oh, waiter!" and they're standing right behind you? Oh, guaaaaard! Is our client going to be much longer?

Guard:

What are you talking about!? Haven't you already started the meeting, yet!?

Trucy:

...Huh? Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!

Apollo:

Wh-Wh-Where'd you come from!?

???:

......

Apollo:

W-W-W-Well... ...Anyway! Please have a seat!

???:

......

Trucy:

...... I'm nervous, Apollo.

Apollo:

It's the silence. It builds suspense. Why don't you do something, Trucy? You're a magician, aren't you?

Trucy:

Th-That's right. OK...

Mr. Hat:

I'm the Amazing Mr. Hat!

???:

......

...*thud*...

Trucy:

Eeeeeeeeek! She passed out!

Apollo:

Hmm. Ms. Magic Underwear might have been a better bet.

Trucy:

That's "Magic Panties", Apollo!

(Clearing all "Talk" options leads to:)

Apollo:

(Well, that was fruitless. Though I think I understand despair a little better now.)

Trucy:

You did good, Apollo!

???:

......

Trucy:

L-Look! She's doing her nails!

Apollo:

What? Are nails more important than defense? Is that it!? ...Let's go, Trucy.

???:

...Excuse me...

Apollo:

...!

???:

C-Could you... Could you read this?

Apollo:

Um, sure.

Apollo:

(I feel like a teenager on a first date! And this is the love letter we passed from desk to desk at school...)

Trucy:

Stop looking so wistful and read it, Apollo!

Apollo:

It... It's a business card. With a name and an address. The name is... Vera Misham? The address is for " Drew Studio ".

Vera's Card added to the Court Record.

Apollo:

And you're giving me this card because...?

Vera:

......

Apollo:

...... Well, looks like we're finished here.

Trucy:

I wonder if Drew Studio is the scene of the crime?

Apollo:

Let's go find out.

(Detention Center, after talking to Vera Misham)

October 7 Detention Center Visitor's Room

Guard:

Ah, you're here to see Vera Misham?

Apollo:

Yes, that's right!

Guard:

She's in the medical office at the moment.

Trucy:

Medical office...? Is she OK?

Guard:

She's just lying down. Said she didn't feel so good. I'm sorry but I can't allow any meetings at the moment.

Apollo:

Most. Annoying. Client. Ever.

Trucy:

Guess we should come back.

October 7 Drew Studio

Apollo:

Wow, this looks like... it looks like a studio.

Trucy:

It's like life imitating art... Or, maybe, it's the other way around... Hmm. But the tape on the ground there... It's a bit jarring...

Apollo:

Yeah... Looks like we found our crime scene...

Trucy:

Apollo! Look at all those paintings!

Apollo:

Hey, don't touch those.

Trucy:

It's OK, I'm just looking. Huh? Apollo... Look at this one.

Apollo:

...Looks half finished. (You can still see the rough sketch underneath.)

Trucy:

But, that's odd. The rough part doesn't look like the rest of the painting at all.

Apollo:

Yeah, good point. (That is odd...)

Drew Misham's Paintings added to the Court Record.

Trucy:

...All the paintings have a really different style, too.

???:

Ah! I thought I might find you two here.

Trucy:

Ema! Long time no see!

Ema:

Oh? Seems like I run into you far too often. I'll bet I know why you're here, too.

Apollo:

You know about the trial simulation tomorrow?

Ema:

I've heard about it, sure. So Mr. Wright chose you, huh?

Apollo:

We don't even know what the case is about.

Ema:

Well, he was killed. The artist who owns this studio, that is. Mr. Drew Misham.

Trucy:

Misham...

Ema:

And his daughter was put under arrest.

Apollo:

Yeah... We just saw her at the detention center.

Trucy:

It was funny, though. She seemed more like a victim than the kind of person who could commit murder.

Ema:

You don't say. Not even by poisoning ? That's how it was done, you know. Poisoning's a common way to get the job done, when the murderer is a woman.

Trucy:

P-Poisoning...?

Ema:

Anyway, Mr. Wright told me you'd be coming. Feel free to take a look around. I'll just be over here. With my Snackoos.

Apollo:

(We can't talk to anyone related to the case this time around... ...Which means we'd better find out as much as we can here at the scene. ...Or else.)

(Presenting Coffee Mug after talking about "Forensic science" leads to:)

Apollo:

Um, about poison analysis ...

Ema:

...I was afraid you were going to ask about that. See, this solution is used to test for atroquinine.

Trucy:

Atro... huh?

Ema:

Atroquinine! The deadly poison found in the autopsy!

Apollo:

(...Uh oh, I know that spark in her eyes. She's getting excited. Best tread lightly.)

Ema:

It's one of the most virulent poisons, but is absorbed into the body astonishingly slowly. It takes at least 15 minutes from the time of ingestion for adverse effects to show. Oh, and guess what!? Recent research has shown...

Apollo:

Th-That's fine, really. We don't need to know all the gory details.

Trucy:

I think I get it. You just spray this stuff on something you want to test, right?

Ema:

Precisely! You can find even the slightest trace of poison with this!

Trucy:

I wanna try, too, Ema! Pretty please?

Ema:

You don't have to ask twice! ...I already used it on everything suspicious, of course.

Trucy:

Yay! Let's give it a whirl, Apollo!

Apollo:

Aaaaugh! What are you doing!?

Trucy:

I was just seeing if I got a reaction off of you.

Apollo:

How's this for a reaction: Never do that again! I'm not poisonous!

Trucy:

Tell that to those hapless witnesses on the stand!

Apollo:

(Let's just get down to checking for real poisons, shall we?)

Trucy:

Too bad. No reaction there.

Apollo:

I'm sure Ema checked out all the likely spots. ...Wait a second.

Trucy:

What is it, Apollo?

Apollo:

Did you spray that little desk over there?

Trucy:

I don't think so... The spray probably can't reach that far, you know?

Apollo:

Let's check it out, just to be sure.

Trucy:

Eeeeeeeeeeeek! A reaction, Apollo!

Ema:

Aaaaaaugh! Where, where!?

Trucy:

The inside of that cute little frame! Look!

Ema:

Well, would you look at that. Nice going, Trucy.

Trucy:

I'm known to work magic!

Apollo:

(Never mind that I was the one who found it.)

Tiny Frame added to the Court Record.

Apollo:

(Why would the inside of that frame have poison on it? ...It looks like we found the only other place that was poisoned, in any case.)

(Presenting Red Envelope after talking about "Forensic science" leads to:)

Apollo:

About that envelope we found... ...I was wondering if you could help us out with that "tool" you were mentioning?

Ema:

Eh heh heh, you want to know about my tool do you? It's called an X-Ray Analyzer.

Trucy:

X-Ray... like the x-rays you get at the dentist?

Ema:

That's right! At least, that's what I call it.

Trucy:

Huh?

Ema:

It has a real name, but it's much more complicated: the X-Ray Spectraliziation... ...something. How am I supposed to remember all that?

Trucy:

So, basically, it lets you see inside things... like envelopes?

Ema:

That's right! You're sharp, Trucy! But it's a bit more complicated than that, in practice, of course. Actually, to tell the truth, I'm not really sure how it works, scientifically.

Trucy:

Can I try it out, Ema? Please!?

Ema:

Oh, I suppose. ...Of course, I've already checked out everything suspicious myself.

Trucy:

Alright! Let's give it a spin, Apollo!

Apollo:

Yeeeeargh! What are you doing!?

Trucy:

Oh, just seeing if I could see through your hair... But it's like lead!

Apollo:

Point that thing at me any more, and it might all fall out.

Trucy:

Then I wouldn't need an x-ray machine to see through it!

Apollo:

(Let's just get down to business, shall we?)

Ema:

Right. Let's test it on a sample, first. It just so happens that I have a lottery ticket here. You set the sample in the device like so...

Apollo:

...I don't see anything.

Ema:

Patience. There's no need to get all antsy. Look at the right side of the screen. That's the "layer view" of the envelope.

Trucy:

Layer view...?

Ema:

You've got it set to display the outside of the envelope now, see? Actually, it's quicker to just have you give it a try. Turn that dial there for me, would you? That's right. That's how you choose what "depth" you want to scan.

Trucy:

Hey! I got something!

Ema:

See? That's how you can read the letters on the ticket inside. Cool, huh?

Apollo:

Except... I can't read them.

Ema:

Just turn the dial a little more. What you have to understand is that a sheet of paper isn't really flat at all. When you zoom in that much, you see that paper is like a bunch of hills and valleys.

Trucy:

Wow! Really?

Ema:

This x-ray device uses a beam with a wavelength of only 0.05 microns! It breaks cards down into thin layers, so it can only show what's written on that layer.

Apollo:

I'm not entirely following you, but what good is it if you can't read anything?

Ema:

That's why we go on to step two!

Ema:

Try rubbing the image a bit, if you would.

Trucy:

"The image"? You mean rub the screen?

Ema:

There. That fixes the image on the screen. Now, turn the dial again, just a little. Good. Now you can rub this image to "fix" it, too.

Trucy:

Hey, I get it! We just keep doing this until we've got the whole thing!

Ema:

Exactly! Not bad!

Trucy:

Neat! Let's do some more!

Ema:

OK, let's print this one out.

Ema:

Now let's try it out on the real thing, shall we?

Ema:

OK, let's print this one out.

Trucy:

Someone deposited $100,000 into Mr. Misham's account? His paintings must be really valuable!

Ema:

There's another page in there. ...Care to take a look?

Trucy:

You bet I do! If you're going to read someone's mail you might as well read it all!

Ema:

Here goes with the second page, then.

Ema:

OK, let's print this one out.

Trucy:

...So it was a letter about payment for one of his paintings.

Apollo:

Why all the secrecy, though? And...

Trucy:

...And what?

Apollo:

...Why was this letter the only one in here? ...It's seven years old, right?

Trucy:

Maybe it had some special significance to him? Well, Ema?

Ema:

Well indeed. ......

Apollo:

(She knows something she's not telling us. ...Looks like she's keeping mum about it.)

Red Envelope updated in the Court Record.

(Getting all Drew Studio evidence leads to:)

Apollo:

So, Ema, I was wondering... What's the story about this reporter that came here for a story the night of the crime?

Ema:

Ah! I'm afraid I can't tell you, because he's going to be a witness tomorrow, I hear.

Trucy:

I thought so.

Ema:

I'll never forget that face, but what was his name...? Oh, right. Brushel.

Trucy:

Brushel...

Ema:

He's after a scoop to sell to the papers.

Apollo:

So a reporter comes for an interview with a painter. His first interview ever, and that night, he's killed. Seem strange to you?

Trucy:

Really strange.

Ema:

It does raise a few questions.

Apollo:

I'd like to speak with this reporter if I could.

Ema:

Well, I hear he's on the beat today, too. ...He said something about covering a magician.

Apollo:

Magician...? (Well, if it's not Trucy, that leaves only one other person.)

Trucy:

It wasn't Valant Gramarye, by any chance, was it?

Ema:

Yeah, something like that! He's got some big show lined up, I hear.

Apollo:

(So, he's out interviewing Valant Gramarye... Looks like I'll be heading out to that coliseum again sooner than I thought.)

Ema:

Here, I'll give you that reporter's card if you want.

Brushel's Card added to the Court Record.

October 7 Sunshine Coliseum

Trucy:

Woo hoo! This is it, Apollo! The place where magic and dreams converge!

Apollo:

Just a while ago it was the place where murder and nightmares converged.

Trucy:

Let's go say hi to Uncle Valant!

Apollo:

(What about the case...?)

???:

Waaaah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Trucy:

Only a performer laughs like that...

Valant:

The young Miss Trucy! How often I hoped we'd meet again only to tell myself it was an impossible dream!

Trucy:

Tee hee, Uncle Valant! How's it going? I'm glad to see you, too!

Valant:

Of course you are.

Apollo:

(Humility is definitely NOT one of his stronger traits...)

Valant:

Well, Miss Trucy, how does the day find you? If you've come to give me flowers, do it after the show, I beg you.

Trucy:

Actually, we came to wish you good luck! And congratulations on your big magic show!

Valant:

Oh? But it is I who wish to congratulate you! Not everyone is so lucky as to witness miracles such as I shall perform!

Apollo:

(Yeah, yeah, you're amazing, we get the picture.)

Valant:

The world will watch in wonderment as Magnifi's illusions are reborn! Here, on stage! By my hand!

(Clearing all "Talk" options leads to:)

Valant:

Now, the time has come when I must return to make my prestidigitation preparations! By your leave, Miss Trucy.

Trucy:

Thanks, Uncle Valant!

Valant:

Three days from now... make ready for a miracle!

Apollo:

What do you think that journalist was after? And why did Valant react like that to this envelope?

Trucy:

I think it's time to pay the detention center another visit.

(Detention Center, after talking with Valant Gramarye)

October 7 Detention Center Visitor's Room

???:

...I think I hear what you're saying. "We're All Doing It For The Money", end quote.

Guard:

No no no no! Not at all!

Apollo:

...Looks like someone's already meeting here.

Trucy:

Maybe that reporter?

???:

Hey there! How ya doing? Who might you be?

Apollo:

Ah, sorry, we didn't know someone was already here. I'm Apollo Justice, attorney at law. (Talk about a nervous monkey.)

???:

You? You're Justice!? You?

Apollo:

You... know me?

???:

Do I know you? Of course I know you! "Stares Down Witnesses On Stand Till They Spill Beans", end quote.

Apollo:

Th-That's not true! (What's he writing...?)

Trucy:

Are you a reporter by any chance?

???:

Woo! You! You're Trucy!

Trucy:

Eh? Am I famous?

???:

Oh yeah. Oh yeah! "Trucy Wright Hates Carrying A Bag: Puts Everything She Owns In Her Panties", end quote.

Trucy:

Eeeeeeeeeeek! That's so not true!

???:

Just hold on to your breeches, there. I'll wrap up this interview in a jiffy.

Trucy:

Interview...?

???:

So, guard. I think I know what's going on here. "Guarding Rooms Is My Life. What Else Could I Possibly Need?" end quote.

Guard:

No! How many times do I have to tell you this? Look, I've got work to do. You deal with him.

Trucy:

Um... did you come here to interview the guard?

???:

Ooh wee, what a pickle! "Accused Wouldn't Talk, Had To Interview Someone Or Go Plum Crazy", end quote.

Trucy:

Huh...

Apollo:

...I should've guessed.

Brushel:

Where're my manners!? Name's Brushel. Spark Brushel. "I'm Not Picky -- Journalist Just Closes Eyes, Writes", end quote.

Apollo:

(What's that nauseatingly strong mint smell every time he grins?)

Brushel:

Until you've been interviewed by me, you don't know what thrilling is! "Wild Romp Through Crossroads Of Mayhem, Madness", end quote.

Apollo:

...I can see that. (He's writing something again! Well, if he's a reporter, maybe he knows something...)

(Clearing all "Talk" options leads to:)

Brushel:

Well, there's nothing I can talk about really. "Walls Have Ears, Eyes -- Especially Glass Walls With Speakers", end quote.

Apollo:

Right. Guess we'll leave then.

Brushel:

Ah, but since you're here... ...might as well tell you a tidbit of news I saw. Just for the heck of it.

Trucy:

Sure, tell us! ...Just for the heck of it.

Brushel:

I remember it like it was yesterday... ...I'd seen a movie on a trip, and wandered into this burger place with amazing ketchup... ...when an article in a tabloid caught my eye. "Famous Oil Painting Stolen From Art Dealer's Gallery", end quote, I believe it was.

Apollo:

An oil painting...?

Brushel:

Happens every day, right? But, I thought I'd seen that painting somewhere before. ...A painting of a giant peach floating down a river.

Apollo:

(Someone stole an oil painting... of a giant peach.)

Brushel:

"Journalist Can Smell Scoop Better Than Burgers", end quote.

(Drew Studio, after talking with Spark Brushel)

October 7 Drew Studio

Ema:

Well, how'd it go? Find anything out?

Apollo:

Actually, there was one thing I wanted to check with you.

Ema:

Wh-What's with that scary face you're making?

Apollo:

(And what's with the "I know something but I'm not telling" face you've got going, Ema?)

Apollo:

Um, I kind of wanted to see the rough sketch under this painting. And I was wondering if your "tool" there might do the trick?

Ema:

Oh, fine. Fine! Just this time, though.

Trucy:

Let's check it out!

Ema:

OK, let's print this one out.

Apollo:

What... What the heck?

Trucy:

Wow, he really blows! The finished painting isn't anything like the rough!

Ema:

Devices like mine didn't exist until recently. He probably thought he could draw any sort of thing he wanted to for the rough.

Trucy:

What do you mean?

Ema:

Well, in the past, you could only analyze the composition of a rough sketch.

Trucy:

Composition?

Ema:

In other words, the traces of charcoal between paint and canvas. So you could tell if there had been a rough sketch... ...but not what it looked like.

Apollo:

Ah, I think I follow you. So, in essence, it wouldn't matter what was underneath the finished painting.

Ema:

Some pros would actually paint out a rough sketch entirely. Then do a completely new painting on top of that.

Trucy:

So Mr. Misham was drawing whatever he wanted before painting over them...?

Ema:

Possibly. Is there a problem with that?

Apollo:

(Not particularly... But something about the sketch itself is kind of... odd.)

Trucy:

You're awfully silent all of a sudden, Apollo.

Apollo:

You think we could check out one of the other paintings!?

Ema:

Well, sure. You like this detection stuff, don't you?

Ema:

OK, let's print this one out.

Apollo:

This one, too!

Trucy:

What's wrong, Apollo? You look so serious all of a sudden!

Apollo:

Um, you think I could just look at the last of these?

Ema:

Fine by me. Knock yourself out.

Ema:

OK, let's print this one out.

Apollo:

Wh-Wh... What the heck is all this!?

Ema:

...I hesitate to ask why you're getting so excited.

Trucy:

You sure your device isn't leaking some kind of strange radiation?

Apollo:

Trucy! Look at these three sketches! ...Do you notice anything?

Trucy:

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Th-Th-They're...!!

Ema:

Now you're both white as sheets! What's going on!?

Apollo:

These sketches... are of the three cases I worked on!

Ema:

What...?

Apollo:

The murder in the poker room at the Borscht Bowl Club! The dead man pulling the noodle stand! And then... ...the events that transpired during the Gavinners concert!

Ema:

...What could it mean? How could he have painted those things... and why!?

Apollo:

That's what I want to know!

Ema:

Wait! Is Drew Misham... ...your father?

Apollo:

Give me a break! Does that seem even REMOTELY possible to you!? (I'd never even heard of any Drew Misham before. I hadn't even seen a picture of him. But there were my cases, drawn on his canvas! ...Every single one of them. It couldn't have been a coincidence. Just who was this Drew Misham... and what did he have to do with me?)

To be continued.

October 8, 9:48 AM District Court Defendant Lobby No. 6

Apollo:

Good morning!

Vera:

......

Trucy:

So! You're... Vera, right? I'm Trucy! Trucy Wright! That's "Wright" with a "W"! Uh, but not "write", right?

Vera:

......

Trucy:

Um! We're... on your side! You can tell us anything! ...Please?

Vera:

...... ...Good morning...

Apollo:

...! (She... She speaks!)

Trucy:

Hmm, not bad, not bad. But I think you'd do better with a little smile, you know? You're so pretty! You need to sell yourself, you know?

Apollo:

Trucy! Let's... take it easy for starters.

Vera:

...... ...Thank you for taking my case... Trucy:

...!

Apollo:

(Okaaaaay... Well, that's a start, I guess.)

Vera:

......

Apollo:

(There she goes with the nail polish again...)

Trucy:

That's great, really! It's so cultured!

Vera:

............ ...Want to try...?

Trucy:

Oooooh! Really!?

Apollo:

* sigh* Girls... (The victim, Drew Misham, was a forger . And a stolen painting was found in his studio. A life of crime, really... ...And maybe one that led to his death.)

October 8, 10:00 AM District Court Courtroom No. 3

Judge:

Well, we will now... er... *cough* Begin the, er, trial of... Vuh... Vuh... Vuh... Vera Misham!

Trucy:

...Is the judge OK? His voice is all raspy, and he's looking around all nervous-like.

Judge:

Erm... ahem. The repercussions of today's trial will, most likely, be felt for a long time. ...And may, indeed, alter our legal system forever.

Klavier:

Today is a test of the Jurist System ... ...and the first step toward a new order in our courts.

Trucy:

Daddy's secret mission !

Klavier:

The jurists will function like a jury. It is hoped their inclusion will help the courts to better reflect the people's will.

Apollo:

Why... aren't there any jurists in the courtroom?

Klavier:

Three closed-circuit cameras watch this courtroom at all times. The jurists have access to everything that transpires. Jurists! Judge well, and judge cool.

Judge:

N-Now see here, Prosecutor Gavin! I-I was going to say that!

Klavier:

Ah, my apologies, Herr Judge.

Judge:

Ahem. Jurists! Today, er... Judge today's trial "coolly", if you would be so kind!

Apollo:

(The jurists are unbound by the letter of the law. They don't affect the trial with evidence... but by their "feelings". And we're about to find out just what effect they're going to have.)

Judge:

Very well, Prosecutor Gavin. The details of the case, if you would.

Klavier:

The victim is the painter Drew Misham. He was killed in his own studio. His coffee... was poisoned. By whom, you ask? By none other than the defendant, Vera Misham.

Apollo:

There wasn't any poison in the coffee!

Klavier:

Achtung... Someone has been doing their homework! Indeed. Poison was not present in the coffee... but on the mug itself.

Judge:

The mug...? Ah, residue was found on the rim, I see.

Klavier:

The autopsy report describes the manner of our victim's death.

Judge:

The court accepts this as evidence.

Misham's Autopsy Report added to the Court Record.

Judge:

According to this report... ...the victim's death was caused by " atroquinine " poisoning.

Klavier:

A chemical compound that does not occur naturally. Lethal dosage is a mere 0.002mg. A touch of atroquinine in the body... ...is the touch of the Reaper's scythe.

Judge:

Very well, Prosecutor Gavin. You may present your witness.

Klavier:

I have for you today a simple man, for a simple case. ...A man who witnessed the murder in its entirety.

Apollo:

(That journalist, no doubt...)

Klavier:

The witness will state his name and occupation.

Brushel:

Ah! Right! Well, for starters, my name's Spark Brushel! My job is... a lone observer of the world!

Apollo:

In other words, a freelance journalist, right?

Brushel:

Ahem! If you don't mind, I'd like to state something here for the record.

Judge:

Yes, Mr. Brushel?

Brushel:

I dislike conclusions, specifically, the jumping to aspect of conclusions. "Preconceptions Make Park Sandbox of Endless Desert Waste..." end quote.

Apollo:

But, you are a journalist. You said so yourself yesterday.

Brushel:

...Well, that's true, yes. But you must understand, I stand before you today a man with a dream! I'm offering you my testimony in exchange for exclusive rights to the story! "Scoop Turns Mr. Brushel Into THAT Mr. Brushel!" end quote.

Judge:

...Let's hear your testimony then, shall we?

Apollo:

(A " simple case ", eh, Gavin? For me, the jury... is still out.)

Witness Testimony

- - The Journalist's Story - -

Brushel:

I visited the studio around 9:00 that night to do the interview. The first outsider to enter the atelier! "Journalistic History Made", end quote! His daughter brought us coffee right after we started. And you know what happened next. "Star Falls!" end quote. No one else entered the room besides her the whole time.

Judge:

Hmm... That does sound like a simple case. Unless... you were the one who poisoned him!

Brushel:

Wh-Wh-Wh-Whatareyousaying!? Judge!

Judge:

Ahem. Need I remind you, the cameras are rolling today. I felt the need to be a bit dramatic.

Klavier:

You didn't do it, did you?

Brushel:

M-M-M-M-Medoathinglikethat!? Come on! That's like... "Newsmaker Making the News", end quote. Or even "Contemporary Witch-Hunt", end quote! I know! "Wild Accusations Rock Courtroom", end quote.

Klavier:

Ah ha ha ha. Rock, indeed.

Trucy:

Prosecutor Gavin sure looks like he's having fun.

Apollo:

I'm so happy for him.

Judge:

Very well, Mr. Justice, your cross-examination, please.

Cross Examination

- - The Journalist's Story - -

Brushel:

I visited the studio around 9:00 that night to do the interview.

Brushel:

The first outsider to enter the atelier! "Journalistic History Made", end quote!

Brushel:

His daughter brought us coffee right after we started.

Brushel:

And you know what happened next. "Star Falls!" end quote.

Brushel:

No one else entered the room besides her the whole time.

Trucy:

He sure makes it sound exciting. I guess that's his job.

Apollo:

There's only one moment we need to focus on, really.

Trucy:

...The moment when Drew Misham died?

Apollo:

Exactly. There has to be something there!

Brushel:

Those spasms... That was definitely death by poison.

Brushel:

I drank the coffee, too, but I'm not dead yet!

Brushel:

He had one sip, if that. The next moment, he was on the floor!

Apollo:

You know what I have a problem with? A particular property of the poison used, atroquinine.

Judge:

Oh? Prosecutor Gavin was quite clear about the poison. A lethal dosage of 0.002mg paralyzes the central nervous system. If you drank that, even you, Mr. Justice, would be reduced to a quivering pile...

Apollo:

(Why are you using me as an example!?) Unfortunately, we weren't told everything. There was a vital omission in Prosecutor Gavin's information!

Klavier:

......

Judge:

An omission?

Apollo:

Atroquinine is as virulent as he says. But death doesn't come upon ingestion, not immediately. That's because atroquinine is slow-acting !

Judge:

Slow-acting!

Brushel:

Whatwhatwhatwhat!?

Apollo:

According to one forensic scientist...

Ema:

It's one of the most virulent poisons, but is absorbed into the body astonishingly slowly. It takes at least 15 minutes from the time of ingestion for adverse effects to show.

Apollo:

If we suppose that the moment Mr. Misham sipped the coffee was when he sealed his fate... ...then he would still have had time left to enjoy his last cup of joe!

Judge:

Order! Order!!! What's the meaning of this!? If what the defense says is correct... ...why, that contradicts the entire testimony we've just heard!

Apollo:

Well, Mr. Brushel? Anything to say... on the record!?

Brushel:

Slow-acting. S-L-O-W A-C-T... It was virulent, alright. Even then, it had already begun digging its claws into the journalist.

Trucy:

...He's working on his scoop.

Apollo:

(*sigh*)

Klavier:

...It's "Brushel", ja? Herr Brushel... let's take a trip back down memory lane.

Brushel:

Huh?

Klavier:

Did the victim really die the instant he took a sip ? Think it over. This is vital.

Brushel:

You know what I think? I think that was... "A Not-So-Subliminal Suggestion"... end quote.

Klavier:

I admit, it does cause a problem if he died when you say he died. ...I would be forced to say auf Wiedersehen to my simple case. And you would be forced to say farewell to your article.

Brushel:

Come again?

Klavier:

You can't write a story based on conjecture, can you? And as the case drags on, other reporters will pick up the scent. ...And you'll be forced to kiss your exclusive scoop goodbye.

Brushel:

Scoop... Scoop... .....................! Look, wait. Just wait a second. Just one second.

Judge:

We're waiting, we're waiting! Out with it!

Brushel:

I think I just recalled a so-called "important detail"! "A Revival of Recollection", end quote! "A Story's Survival", end quote!

Apollo:

"Attorney Utterly Confused", end quote.

Brushel:

Actually, I did notice something when I visited the studio. I'd heard of poison that " takes its sweet time ", see!

Klavier:

...But not what I've been saying for the last few minutes, apparently.

Judge:

Mr. Brushel! Are you saying you noticed something that explains what happened!?

Brushel:

You bet I am! The "Antidote For A Poisonous Contradiction", end quote, you might say!

Apollo:

Or "I Still Have No Idea What You're Talking About", end quote, I might say.

Brushel:

I figured it out, but only after an in-depth interview! See, thanks to my journalism skills, I know who poisoned that coffee!

Judge:

Order! Order! Order!

Klavier:

As far as I can tell, the witness is standing by his testimony. ...That Mr. Misham died the instant after he drank.

Brushel:

Of course I'm standing by my testimony! ...And my dream of exclusive rights to this story!

Klavier:

...Ach. I suppose it was too much to hope for.

Apollo:

What was?

Klavier:

Of course he wouldn't choose a simple case, not him.

Judge:

"Him"...?

Klavier:

Phoenix Wright, who else?

Apollo:

...!

Klavier:

Achtung, Herr Brushel! Report for us, if you would. What is it that you noticed?

Brushel:

......

Judge:

This court is a critical trial of the Jurist System. I'm afraid no room for doubt is permissible. You will testify to the court about what you noticed !

Witness Testimony

- - What Brushel Noticed - -

Brushel:

When I arrived at the studio, Mr. Misham was at his desk. He seemed to be writing a letter... but he quickly sealed the envelope. I thought nothing of it at the time, of course. Now that I think about it, what if he was writing a suicide note!?

Judge:

Hmm... A suicide note?

Brushel:

Yes... he had this look on his face. "Man's Face Inscrutable As A Quadratic Equation", end quote.

Trucy:

Suicide? Poor Mr. Misham... But that means Vera's innocent!

Apollo:

Would someone commit suicide in the middle of an interview?

Trucy:

Oh.

Judge:

Very well, you may begin your cross-examination.

Cross Examination

- - What Brushel Noticed - -

Brushel:

When I arrived at the studio, Mr. Misham was at his desk.

Brushel:

He seemed to be writing a letter... but he quickly sealed the envelope.

Brushel:

I thought nothing of it at the time, of course.

Brushel:

Now that I think about it, what if he was writing a suicide note!?

Trucy:

Do you think Mr. Misham was writing a suicide note?

Apollo:

If he was, that would solve the case in a jiffy.

Trucy:

It kind of makes me wonder about that letter...

Brushel:

It was a yellow envelope. ...I heard it was left at the crime scene.

Apollo:

As it just so happens, there was a single letter in a desk drawer at the scene. In a red envelope!

Brushel:

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!?

Apollo:

...Prosecutor Gavin!

Klavier:

...Yes?

Apollo:

Was a yellow envelope found at the scene of the crime?

Klavier:

...Unfortunately no. But, Herr Forehead... ...it's easy to mistake the color of an envelope.

Apollo:

I guess. But not this envelope. You see, it was postmarked already. Seven years ago.

Judge:

Well, Mr. Brushel?

Brushel:

...I can explain that. Drew, right, he wanted to get that letter in an envelope, pronto! Get it out of sight of my beady eyes, right? So he grabbed the nearest envelope and crammed away!

Apollo:

(And what about the whole red and yellow envelope contradiction, chump!?)

Judge:

Well, Mr. Justice? Have you anything to say to the witness's claim?

Apollo:

"That night, the victim put a letter he had been writing in a red envelope"...

Apollo:

...As it just so happens, the defense team investigated the contents of this envelope! With, erm, the assistance of a forensic scientist.

Klavier:

What...?

Apollo:

Note that this letter is addressed to " Drew Misham ".

Brushel:

Oh?

Apollo:

Why would he address a letter to himself? Let alone send a suicide note to himself!

Brushel:

...... I... I've been scooped!

Judge:

Order! Order! Order!!! Mr. Brushel! Can you explain this to the court?

Brushel:

Oh, my, my, my. How could I have forgotten? I suppose this happens to the best of us! "Reporter Gets Old, Forgets Lots", end quote.

Judge:

I'm still waiting for an explanation, Mr. Brushel!

Brushel:

Well, that's the thing, see. After he put his letter in that envelope... ...Mr. Misham sat there searching his desk drawer for something!

Apollo:

His desk drawer...?

Brushel:

Yes! A stamp! A so-called "Postage Stamp", end quote!

Judge:

A stamp? Whatever for?

Brushel:

Well, to mail his letter, what else? And then, why yes, I think I saw him put it in his letter box. Yes, it was a yellow envelope, and he put it in that box!

Judge:

Well, apparently, this yellow letter has nothing to do with this case.

Brushel:

Oh, how I wish it did! Just think if that were a suicide note... What a story! "Star Writes Suicide Note In Front Of Reporter, Falls", end quote.

Judge:

Ahem. As I was saying, that has nothing to do with this case! That said.

Apollo:

Yes, Your Honor?

Judge:

It makes me wonder about the contents of that red envelope. $100,000 is quite a good deal of money!

Klavier:

So this was from seven years ago, ja...?

Brushel:

...! So, am I finished? Here, I mean. Am I finished here? I was thinking of, you know, going home, to start writing...

Apollo:

...Um, I hate to state what should be pretty obvious to anyone... ...but when you catch the scent of a story... ...you make that... er, rather unique face.

Brushel:

Ack! C-C'mon! "Attorney Has Active Imagination, Little Else", end quote.

Judge:

Even I noticed something, and my eyes aren't what they used to be. You know, I'm starting to understand what all this "perceiving" stuff is about!

Apollo:

("Judge Has Active Imagination"... end quote.)

Judge:

Please, continue with your testimony. Tell us about the scent of a story !

Brushel:

Hey... I'm the one asking the questions here. Usually.

Witness Testimony

- - The Scent Of A Story - -

Brushel:

Actually, it took a bit of work to get a thumbs-up on the interview. "Reporter Leverages Story, Gets His Interview", end quote. The story concerned a certain case from seven years ago. That red envelope probably had something to do with it. Say what you will, but Drew's talent was without compare.

Judge:

So you threatened to go to press with this "story"? That's how you got your interview? Blackmail?

Brushel:

Well, yes. ... I mean no! No, no, no, no! It wasn't exactly black... I mean, I'm not... urk!

Judge:

...Something wrong, Mr. Brushel?

Brushel:

L-Look! This is my story! My tidbit! "Journalist's Into Is Livelihood", end quote.

Judge:

...I see.

Brushel:

While you have me chatting away in here, what's going on out there? What if some Wally Wordsworth or Sally Scooper gets wind of my story? They could be going to press while I'm going to waste!

Judge:

The court feels your pain, Mr. Brushel. Mr. Justice, let's pick up the pace.

Apollo:

(A certain case, seven years ago... Wait... " seven years ago "?)

Trucy:

...?

Cross Examination

- - The Scent Of A Story - -

Brushel:

Actually, it took a bit of work to get a thumbs-up on the interview.

Brushel:

"Reporter Leverages Story, Gets His Interview", end quote.

Brushel:

The story concerned a certain case from seven years ago.

Brushel:

That red envelope probably had something to do with it.

Brushel:

Say what you will, but Drew's talent was without compare.

Trucy:

...That testimony left a bad taste in my mouth.

Apollo:

It all makes sense. Nothing jumps out as ridiculous.

Trucy:

I wonder what this "story" he's talking about is? It must have been good, to get an interview with a famous recluse like that.

Apollo:

(Something powerful enough to drag Drew Misham out of hiding. I wonder... Maybe it had something to do with Mr. Misham's art?)

Apollo:

Sweat much, Mr. Brushel?

Brushel:

Urk! Eh, yeah, well... ...a man can't help his glands, you know!

Apollo:

It's more than that. When " Mr. Misham's talent " was mentioned... ...you suddenly began to sweat buckets.

Brushel:

...Ack!

Apollo:

You're hiding something... about his talent!

Brushel:

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat! Th-Th-Th-Th-Th-That's r-r-r-ridiculous!

Apollo:

(Evidence time. Let's show where Mr. Misham's true " talent " lay!) It just so happens I have evidence showing the " talent " mentioned in that letter !

Apollo:

This painting was found in Mr. Misham's studio.

Brushel:

...!

Apollo:

There are two problems with this painting. The first is it wasn't painted by Mr. Misham. The second is that there was another painting in the studio... ...which looked exactly like this one. Except it was only half done!

Brushel:

......

Apollo:

Then we have a letter discussing a payment of $100,000. Which suggests a certain business operation. The business of making forgeries !

Brushel:

Aoooooooooooooogg!

Apollo:

...That is all, Your Honor.

Brushel:

Everyone! Please, everyone! Can we keep this private? Please!? This is my story! My scoop!

Judge:

Forgery... that's a serious crime!

Brushel:

Drew Misham is known as an artist these days. But there were rumors he dabbled in another kind of art until a few years back.

Judge:

"Another art" meaning... forgery?

Brushel:

Drew Misham was talented, alright. Talented at making precise, detailed fakes. A fact that certain criminal elements were quick to discover.

Apollo:

Criminal elements...? What...!? You can't seriously be talking about...

Brushel:

...Exactly. I'm talking about forging evidence ! The rumors started circulating seven years ago.

Judge:

S-Seven years ago...? So, are we to understand that this letter... ...this payment of $100,000 was for...?

Brushel:

...Exactly. " Forged Evidence Nets Tidy Profit", end quote.

Judge:

Order! Order! Order! Why, it's like our victim was living a double life!

Apollo:

(Ah ha! This is my chance!) So the victim had ties to the criminal world, right? He could have had plenty of enemies we know nothing about!

Klavier:

This is my first time hearing of this "criminal world". We certainly found no criminal connections when we conducted our investigation.

Apollo:

But how do you explain all this money? You have to admit there's a possibility of some illegal activity here!

Klavier:

...But there is no proof tying this letter to our case.

Apollo:

...!

Klavier:

...Our case was, and remains, simple from the beginning. Only the defendant could have poisoned that mug that night. And, you, of course.

Brushel:

Hey, hey, hey, the only thing I poison is my pen... when I'm writing reviews!

Judge:

Mr. Brushel, your testimony to this point has been quite unreliable. ...It doesn't speak well of your reporting acumen.

Brushel:

What're you talking about!? My journalism is rock solid! "Journalism So Solid, You Could Stand An Elephant On It", end quote.

Judge:

In any case... Let's hear a summarized recap of your testimony. If we can ascertain the situation in that studio from the recap, the trial is over.

Trucy:

Apollo! What's he talking about?

Apollo:

The cross-examination showed Mr. Brushel didn't have reason or means to poison him. As long as there're no other suspects... ...then the killer had to be Vera. That's what. ...This next testimony is our last chance!

Judge:

Mr. Brushel, your testimony please!

Witness Testimony

- - The Interview: A Recap - -

Brushel:

The only other person in the studio that night was the defendant. It was Vera who poured the coffee. She's admitted as much herself. The only thing that touched Drew's lips during the interview was that mug. And nothing left that studio after he died. Nothing. ...Clearly, the only one who could have poisoned him was his daughter!

Klavier:

A nice testimony. Clear, succinct... and without room for doubt.

Brushel:

Aw... Shucks. You really think so?

Judge:

I believe this clarifies the situation that night. Very well, Mr. Justice. You may begin your final cross-examination!

Apollo:

R-Right... (...I still have one trump card left to play. And I won't let this trial end until I use it!)

Cross Examination

- - The Interview: A Recap - -

Brushel:

The only other person in the studio that night was the defendant.

Brushel:

It was Vera who poured the coffee. She's admitted as much herself.

Brushel:

The only thing that touched Drew's lips during the interview was that mug.

Brushel:

And nothing left that studio after he died. Nothing.

Brushel:

...Clearly, the only one who could have poisoned him was his daughter!

Trucy:

What do you think, Apollo? Everything he's saying seems so... not flawed!

Apollo:

...Well, that's kind of what you want from a testimony, really. (...I need to keep my eye on what matters. How, and why, was Drew Misham, killed? Vera poured the coffee, that's not going to change. But if that coffee didn't kill him, I need to find what did... and prove it!)

Brushel:

A letter was put in the post from the studio, but I hardly think that matters.

Judge:

Well, that certainly is a cute little frame. And by little, I mean really little.

Apollo:

It was on the victim's desk, Your Honor. ...Quite empty, as you can see for yourself.

Klavier:

I noticed that too during my inspection. So what?

Apollo:

Ah, apparently you weren't as observant as you should have been. You see, when you saw this frame, it was missing something quite important.

Judge:

"Missing" something...?

Apollo:

Yes. A pale bluish stain on the inside of the frame... Atroquinine residue !

Klavier:

What!? Why wasn't I told about this!?

Apollo:

The frame is only two inches square. The face of the frame is even smaller. Maybe an inch wide at most.

Klavier:

You aren't saying...

Apollo:

...Oh, but I am. Tell me: what fits in such a small frame? A commemorative stamp, perhaps?

Judge:

Order! Order! Order!!! The poisoned stamp was in this frame...!?

Klavier:

Impossible!

Judge:

P-Prosecutor Gavin...!

Klavier:

Why would he put something like that on his desk? Don't tell me he had it there so he could commit suicide if the mood struck!

Brushel:

You know, can I say something? I had a thought, see!

Judge:

What, Mr. Brushel, and please stop jittering around like that!

Brushel:

The victim was a forger, right? There's a lot of money in that line of work. "Forger Forges Friends, Makes Enemies, Too", end quote.

Apollo:

So the poisoned stamp might have been a murder weapon, aimed at him!

Klavier:

...Oh, rich. That's rich. Leave the ridiculous flights of fancy to the Gavinners's song lyrics, please.

Apollo:

(Finally, something we agree on.)

Klavier:

The stamp was a "murder weapon"? Nonsense! Murder is a simple business. Who would go to such lengths? No one.

Apollo:

Oh, I disagree.

Klavier:

C-Come again...?

Apollo:

Recall, if you would, the victim's reclusive lifestyle. Drew Misham hid from the world. He avoided meetings. His only contact with the outside world... was the mail.

Judge:

The... mail!

Apollo:

Now, if you wanted to kill someone you couldn't meet, but you knew read letters... ...a stamp would be the perfect weapon!

Klavier:

Ridiculous! Where's your proof? I want proof! Show us evidence that this poisoned stamp was sent to him... as a murder weapon!

Apollo:

(I might not have " evidence " per se... But things are finally starting to come together!)

Trucy:

Wh-What is it, Apollo? Your fists are trembling!

Apollo:

I think I know what happened! I don't believe it... but I can see it! I think I know how Mr. Misham was killed!

Judge:

Well, fill us in, Mr. Justice!

Apollo:

...A certain piece of evidence points to the truth, Your Honor. I can show you how someone with the intent to kill sent Mr. Misham the stamp of death!

Judge:

Isn't this the envelope... the one from seven years ago?

Apollo:

Think about the text of the letter again. There were two pages in the envelope. This is page one. ...And this is page two. I want to draw your attention to one phrase in particular. "...Send in the enclosed envelope with the enclosed stamp within 3 days." The enclosed stamp, Your Honor.

Judge:

Ah...!

Brushel:

In other words, if I have this straight... "The Stamp! Poison! On The Stamp! Lick, Lick, Gasp..." end quote!

Apollo:

Now, what if he had done exactly as the letter asked?

Trucy:

He would sign the document, put it in the envelope... and put the stamp on it, right? Then he would put it in his letter box...!

Apollo:

Fifteen minutes wouldn't have elapsed between affixing the stamp, and mailing the letter. But the clock started ticking, and when the time came... he drew his last breath. And the murder weapon would be taken away from the scene.

Judge:

...Quite conveniently, thanks to the postal system!

Klavier:

...Such a splendid imagination you have, Herr Forehead!

Apollo:

......

Klavier:

Let me confirm one thing with you, if I might. So, this "poisoned stamp" was inside this envelope from seven years ago... ja? Is that what you'd have us believe? Really?

Apollo:

...W-Well...

Trucy:

It is a little bit of a stretch, but there's a possibility.

Klavier:

Yes. A very small possibility. How small, I wonder?

Trucy:

Um...

Klavier:

A poisoned stamp in this envelope? A stamp that then became the murder weapon? How do you intend to prove this seeming coincidence?

Trucy:

W-Well...

Apollo:

(Ack! It was seven years ago, and we don't even know who sent that letter!)

Klavier:

And your answer... is silence, I see. Very well! I move to...

???:

...It's not nice to pick on the Fräulein, Klavier.

Klavier:

...!

Apollo:

Ah... Ema!

Ema:

Well? Like my Kristoph Gavin impression? Did I sound like him?

Apollo:

...Don't quit your day job.

Klavier:

Don't you have a crime scene to be looking after, Fräulein Detective?

Ema:

Someone had to come dig you all out of the mess you're making of this case.

Apollo:

Mess...?

Ema:

You know, none of this would happen if you just trusted in science a little more. You can find out if that stamp was in that envelope, easy.

Klavier:

Care to explain yourself, Fräulein Detective?

Ema:

Glare at me all you want, but science is on my side. It's all in the residue, right?

Apollo:

That's right! The poison detection spray...

Judge:

Produce the red envelope at once! You can open it on the authority of the court!

Judge:

Well! Would you look at that!

Ema:

No mistaking it. That's atroquinine residue!

Judge:

I-I don't believe it... A murder weapon from the past... Now, seven years later, it bares its fangs at last!

Klavier:

Absolutely outrageous! ...Tell me why! Why didn't this murder take place seven years ago!?

Apollo:

Well, um...

Ema:

There's one possibility. Maybe Mr. Misham figured it out.

Judge:

Figured what out?

Ema:

He realized that the person who sent that letter wanted him dead. So he sent his reply with a different stamp.

Judge:

...And put his decisive evidence in a frame.

Brushel:

......

Judge:

Ack! You're still here!?

Brushel:

C-Can I make a statement here, on the record? I, Spark "Razortooth" Brushel, claim this scoop as mine! "Drew Misham Killed In Cold Blood... ...By Sender Of Seven-Year-Old Letter!" end quote. Hmm, no, maybe something more succinct. "Star Falls After 7 Year Delay", end quote.

Judge:

Order! Order! Order! I see no room for further argument here. Though I admit, this is all coming as quite a shock. To think that the murder weapon reached his mouth after seven years...! " Stamp Is Ticket Straight To Afterlife", end quote!

Trucy:

Uh oh. I think the witness is a bad influence on our judge.

Judge:

...I see no need for further debate on this matter. The sender of that letter seven years ago could hardly have been our defendant!

Trucy:

A-Apollo!

Apollo:

I think we just won!

Judge:

...Very well! This court finds the defendant...

Klavier:

...Is this the bright future of our legal system?

Judge:

Prosecutor... Gavin?

Klavier:

A ticket to the afterlife from seven years ago...? Tickets for Gavinners's shows are invalid after two weeks.

Judge:

B-But it doesn't make sense any other way!

Klavier:

...It boggles my mind that so many people haven't noticed this. There's a fatal contradiction in Herr Forehead's claim!

Apollo:

A c-contradiction?

Klavier:

A poisoned stamp was placed in this envelope seven years ago. Whereupon it was framed, until now. If that's the case, then why would Drew Misham have done what he did?

Apollo:

E-Ema explained that! He must have realized it was poisoned!

Klavier:

...Therein lies the rub.

Apollo:

...!

Klavier:

Seven years ago, the forger Drew Misham sensed a trap, and put the stamp in a frame. I do not debate this. ...But this begs the question. Why, seven years later, did he use that stamp on the night of the murder?

Apollo:

Ah...!

Klavier:

Surely, you don't mean to suggest that Mr. Misham simply "forgot"? He put the murder weapon in a frame on his desk for seven years... and forgot? You expect us to believe he sprang the trap on himself?

Apollo:

...... Uh... Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaugh!

Judge:

While I admit, this is all quite shocking, myself... ...it does seem highly unlikely that he would fall afoul of a trap... ...that had been sitting on his desk for seven years!

Trucy:

A-Apollo!

Apollo:

I don't think we're winning anymore.

Klavier:

Ah, I'm glad to see we're all back in the real world now. Welcome back to reality! We've been waiting for you.

Apollo:

OK... Then how do you explain the poisoned stamp that was in this envelope?

Klavier:

The "poisoned stamp"...? Where exactly is this poisoned stamp, again? Have you brought it to court for us?

Apollo:

Uh...

Klavier:

I see no proof that such a thing ever existed.

Apollo:

What about the atroquinine residue, huh!?

Klavier:

Oh, I agree, that does seem to be atroquinine residue. But, Herr Forehead, it's certainly no stamp.

Apollo:

...! Y-Yeah, but...

Klavier:

Even if your precious poisoned stamp did exist... ...Drew Misham never would have used it. ...That is all.

Apollo:

...... Urk.

Judge:

I believe we've come to a conclusion. Again.

Trucy:

A-Apollo! Were we wrong the whole time?

Apollo:

I-I can't believe it! The poison traces match up! It can't be coincidence!

Judge:

I'd like to bring some closure to this issue, sometime this year. ...Mr. Justice?

Apollo:

...Yes, Your Honor!

Judge:

Let's review the facts, and see where we stand. Seven years ago, Drew Misham received a red envelope. There were traces of the poison atroquinine on the document inside that envelope. A similar trace was also found at the crime scene... ...on this tiny picture frame. The defense has indicated the possibility of a yellow envelope. An envelope that left the scene of the crime with the poisoned stamp on it.

Klavier:

Yes, but even if this envelope contained a poisoned stamp... ...and Drew Misham, knowing this, put it in a frame... ...he never would have used that stamp!

Judge:

...I'm afraid you're right. Which means there is a fatal flaw in the defense's case!

Apollo:

(I haven't been on the wrong track this whole time, I'm sure of it! The traces of atroquinine, the envelope, the frame... ...and Drew Misham's mysterious death... They're all connected somehow!)

Judge:

Well, Mr. Justice, do you have a conclusion for us?

Apollo:

...The defense stands by its case, Your Honor. We've seen that the logical outcome of the evidence makes no sense. Which means that one of our clues... must be a fake.

Klavier:

Ah, a fake clue? Fascinating! And if we find this fake, your wild fantasies will prove quite reasonable, ja?

Apollo:

The fake clue that's thrown us off the poison's trail is none other than...

Judge:

Th-the victim was a "fake clue"? I'm afraid I don't understand.

Apollo:

...I'll explain. We have an envelope, a frame , and a mug , linked by poison. That all makes sense. What doesn't make sense is the victim himself !

Klavier:

...Congratulations. You've completely lost me. So the fake evidence is none other than the master of fake himself, the forger? ...It makes a good story, I'll give you that.

Apollo:

(The fake clue... Fakes ... forgeries ...) Ah...!

Trucy:

I know that face! That's the "I just had an idea" face!

Apollo:

I don't know if I'm right... but I'm going with it anyway! What if our " forger " is the " fake "!?

Klavier:

...Come again?

Apollo:

Seven years ago, our forger sniffed a trap, and stepped aside. ...Seven years passed. Now the forger stumbles into that very same trap, and dies. ...Why?

Judge:

That's what I want to know!

Apollo:

Because the forger who was killed... was a fake.

Klavier:

Here we are again. The victim... was a "fake"?

Apollo:

One forger smelled the trap. One forger fell into the trap. That's two forgers! And one of them was a fake!

Judge:

Order! Order! Order!!!

Klavier:

So you are telling us that Drew Misham, the victim, was a fake? Well, if he was the fake, who was the real forger? You'd better not be claiming there was some kind of switcheroo?

Judge:

...I'm afraid you're going to have to back up your story. Mr. Justice. Show us just who the real Drew Misham was!

Apollo:

(If Drew Misham wasn't the real forger ... ...there's only one other person it could have been!) ...Understood, Your Honor. Forger Drew Misham was himself a forgery ! The real forger was...!

Apollo:

There can be only one explanation, really. The real identity of the forger known as Drew Misham is none other than... ...his only daughter, Vera Misham!

Judge:

Order! Order! Order! ...Mr. Justice! This is going out on a limb, even for you!

Trucy:

I kinda agree. I mean, Vera, a forger?

Apollo:

Let's consider it before you write it off entirely. If you look at the paintings in the studio, one fact becomes quite clear. Forgery had been taking place in that studio for quite some time! The forger wasn't caught in that trap seven years ago. This can only mean that the one who was caught in the trap wasn't the forger !

Judge:

Well... Actually, that does make a certain kind of sense.

Apollo:

One more thing! Only two sets of fingerprints were found in the forger's studio. Drew Misham's... and Vera Misham's.

Klavier:

......

Apollo:

If we know that Drew Misham wasn't the forger... ...that leaves only one possibility, by process of elimination. The forger was Vera Misham. ...Well?

Klavier:

...... ...Fascinating!

Judge:

Vera Misham...?

Vera:

......

Judge:

You've been paying attention to the trial so far?

Vera:

......

Klavier:

Let's just ask her and be done with it, shall we? Who are you? Who is the forger, Drew Misham ?

Vera:

...... ...! ......

Apollo:

(Was that... an expression of emotion I saw on her face? She's staring holes into Prosecutor Gavin's face...)

Klavier:

...I'm used to being stared at by Fräuleins, believe me. Though they usually talk to me, too. Tell us. Were you the one who forged those works of art?

Vera:

...... ...Yes...

Apollo:

...!

Judge:

So... so the forger, Drew Misham was... you!?

Vera:

...... ...Yes, it was me...

Judge:

Wha... Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!?

Apollo:

(The court was in an uproar, and it wasn't coming down. We had to break for a ten minute recess.)

To be continued.

October 8, 1:24 PM District Court Defendant Lobby No. 6

Trucy:

OK... So where exactly does this leave us, Apollo?

Apollo:

Well, the Drew Misham who was killed... ...wasn't "Drew Misham the forger", basically.

Trucy:

Huh? Well then, who was he?

Apollo:

Well "he" was actually...

Vera:

......

Apollo:

(...Doing her nails.) So, you really made those forgeries ?

Vera:

...... ...Yes... For Father... ...I know it was wrong...

Trucy:

Could you tell us how it happened?

Vera:

...... ...My father was a painter... ...I love painting ever since I was a child... ...One day, Father saw it in me... ...He saw that I had the "talent"...

Trucy:

The talent... for making forgeries ?

Vera:

...How should I say it? It was not only paintings I made... ...Given the materials, I could make... anything...

Apollo:

Anything...?

Vera:

...Father was so proud, and I, so happy... ...But, in the end, I was making... those...

Apollo:

... Forgeries.

Vera:

...I've never had a good constitution, nor... personality... ...I know very little of the world outside my door... ...... ...Now, because of me... Father... is...

Trucy:

...Do you know about this red envelope?

Vera:

...I remember that envelope. It was some time ago...

Apollo:

So, you were already a, um... You were already creating your " works " back then?

Vera:

...I started when I was only twelve years old...

Apollo:

So the one who figured out the stamp was poisoned, that was...

Bailiff:

...Mr. Justice! It's time! To the courtroom, please!

Apollo:

R-Right! (Out of time...)

Trucy:

Wait, Vera! Just one more thing, please! Those three paintings in the studio...

Vera:

...I painted those, as part of my work...

Trucy:

Right. See, we checked them out and we saw what was underneath. We saw the rough sketches underneath the three finished paintings...

Vera:

...I see... ...... ...Mr. Justice...

Apollo:

...Yes!?

Vera:

...Father... He knew of you... ...Of both of you...

Apollo:

Your late father...?

Vera:

...He was watching, gathering information... ...All about the "Wright & Co. Law Offices"...

Trucy:

B-But lately, we're not doing just law...!

Vera:

...Yes... You do tricks, gags to amuse... and play piano...

Trucy:

Well, they're not really "gags"...

Vera:

...Yet when Father heard you had resumed the legal business... ...How pleased he was...

Trucy:

...Who was Mr. Misham?

Apollo:

...How'm I supposed to know?

Trucy:

What if he was Daddy's Daddy?

Apollo:

Judging from the relative ages involved, I'd say it's highly unlikely. (Things are already confusing enough with all these daddies running around. We know that the victim's daughter, Vera, was the forger . What does this mean for the case...? Guess we're about to find out.)

October 8, 1:36 PM District Court Courtroom, No. 3

Judge:

Court is now back in session.

Vera:

......

Apollo:

(Vera seems pretty tense. She's practically chewing her fingernails clean off!)

Klavier:

Perhaps you could begin by telling us how it all worked. How did you set up this " Drew Misham forger " persona?

Vera:

...... ......

Apollo:

(There's that stare again... She's drilling more holes into his head.)

Trucy:

I know it's hard for you, but hey, he's a handsome guy.

Apollo:

What's "hard"!?

Judge:

Very well, miss, if you would... ...did you really make those detestable forgeries ...?

Vera:

...!

Klavier:

Perhaps you'd rather answer my question? Were you the one who painted that painting. The remarkably similar one?

Vera:

...Ah... Yes... ...I painted it, yes... ...Father praised me quite highly for it...

Judge:

So... she was the one who made the forgeries.

Klavier:

Yet, she did not wish to reveal the truth of their operation. So the victim was a stand-in, a decoy. To the world at large, he was the forger, not her.

Vera:

...... ...I've done... a bad thing. I have, haven't I...?

Klavier:

Regardless, we need a little more information. About, for instance... ...this!

Apollo:

...!

Klavier:

...You have seen this before, ja?

Vera:

...Y-Yes... It was in the desk drawer...

Judge:

Very well, you may proceed with your testimony. Tell us everything you know about this envelope.

Witness Testimony

- - The Red Envelope - -

Vera:

...I created things and Father sold them... ...This envelope came after my first work... that was other than a painting... ...Father handled the deal, all of it... ...I received the stamp that was in that envelope... ...It was after that job that we moved to the current studio...

Judge:

Hmm... There certainly was much of great interest in your testimony.

Klavier:

...Not that the witness realizes it.

Judge:

Very well, please begin the cross-examination!

Apollo:

Right! OK! (I need more information about this "forger"... ...This " Drew Misham "...)

Cross Examination

- - The Red Envelope - -

Vera:

...I created things and Father sold them...

Vera:

...This envelope came after my first work... that was other than a painting...

Vera:

...Father handled the deal, all of it...

Vera:

...I received the stamp that was in that envelope...

Vera:

...It was after that job that we moved to the current studio...

Apollo:

(The red envelope came after she'd completed her first "job"... That makes it a letter from her client... whoever wanted a forgery made.)

Trucy:

Apollo...!

Apollo:

We're close. We just have to piece together the parts: A deadly weapon in a red envelope... ...and the path it took to take Drew Misham's life.

(Pressing first, second, fourth, and fifth statements leads to:)

Judge:

So... you really didn't know anything, did you? You had no idea how much danger you were in.

Klavier:

Apparently not.

Apollo:

...... About this "commemorative stamp". Could you tell us more about it?

Vera:

...... ...It was very pretty. And, more than that...

Apollo:

Yes?

Vera:

...It was a picture of people I liked at the time...

Apollo:

...! (This is something new!)

Klavier:

...Apparently, we've got some cross-examination yet ahead of us. If you would be so kind as to continue your testimony, Fräulein.

Vera:

......

Vera:

...The stamp was a picture of my favorite magicians... so I kept it...

Apollo:

Those magicians you liked, was it this bunch!?

Vera:

......

Trucy:

Apollo! They're not a "bunch"!

Judge:

Hmm... I see! Still, I have to wonder. Why include a commemorative stamp like that in a business letter?

Apollo:

Good question!

Trucy:

Well, pretty stamps are always better, and you can't beat Troupe Gramarye!

Judge:

But, the whole murder plan was a failure because of it. Ironic, don't you think. ...Prosecutor Gavin?

Klavier:

......

Judge:

...Prosecutor Gavin?

Klavier:

...... Gram... Gram... Gramarye.

Apollo:

(What's with Gavin...?)

Klavier:

...Might I ask just one question of this witness?

Vera:

...?

Klavier:

In your testimony just now, you stated... ...this was your "first work that was other than a painting".

Vera:

......

Klavier:

Please, tell me... ...what exactly did you make?

Vera:

...... ...Can I ask why--

Klavier:

No! Answer the question! ...Now!

Vera:

Eeeeeeeeeek!

Judge:

P-Prosecutor Gavin...? You're usually not the one whose volume concerns me.

Klavier:

...Yes, it is unbecoming of me. I apologize. But... I must know. Please, Ms. Misham, tell me.

Vera:

...... ...It was... a book... ...A single page... In a "book"...

Klavier:

A "book"...? Please be more specific.

Vera:

...... ...It was a handwritten book. Like... Like a diary...

Klavier:

...... Nnnno! I don't... No!!!

Trucy:

Wh-What's wrong with Prosecutor Gavin? He looks like he just saw a ghost!

Klavier:

...Ms. Misham. This "book"... ...was there a picture of a silk hat on the back cover? Yes or no!?

Vera:

...! ...How... How did you know...?

Apollo:

...Prosecutor Gavin! The defendant is answering all of your questions! Stop badgering her!

Klavier:

...... He's told you nothing, has he? ...Your soiled, sullied mentor. Nothing!?

Apollo:

Sullied... who?

Klavier:

Phoenix Wright. Who else!?

Trucy:

...Daddy?

Klavier:

He never told you about the trial, seven years ago? About how he came to lose his attorney's badge...

Apollo:

...!

Klavier:

It was a certain piece of evidence that decided his fate, you know. ...A certain diary. On the back, it bore the mark of a silk hat.

Apollo:

...Whaaaaaat!? (Phoenix Wright, tossed out of the profession by false evidence ... And the forger who made that evidence... ...is this girl standing right in front of me!?) Vera! You must tell us! The evidence you made was used in a trial seven years ago. Who asked "Drew Misham", you, to forge that evidence!? ...For all of our sakes, who was it!?

Vera:

...... ...We... only met once...

Apollo:

You... You met the client!? Well, who was it!?

Vera:

...It was... ...It was... ......

Trucy:

What's going on with Vera? She's staring at Prosecutor Gavin's face again...

Klavier:

Yes, what? Is there something about me...?

Vera:

...... ...I remember clearly... ...I remember who gave me the book... the diary... ......

Apollo:

Who was it!?

Vera:

...... Ugh...! *choke*...!

Apollo:

Ve... Vera!!!

...The... De... vil...

... *thump*...

Defendant Vera Misham -- condition: unconscious. Examiner's diagonsis: Acute atroquinine poisoning.

...This ends the recording of the trial for the murder of Drew Misham. Vera Misham was, during the trial, poisoned by an unknown assailant. The dosage was just under the lethal amount, sparing the defendant's life. She is currently in intensive care, and is not to be disturbed for any reason. ...A very simple case, at first glance... ...until it finally began to show its true colors. The long road to the truth takes us to the record of another trial. In some ways, that was the starting point of it all. And that is where we must go... ...to find the whole truth.

To be continued.

...Showdown time.

I... I lost.

It's only a game of poker.

A game I've played for a long time... and only lost twice.

...Who was the first?

The man I "killed"... of course.

......

...Well. It seems I've found the partner I've been looking for all along.

...Over a game of cards?

Why, yes. Over a game of cards.

Phoenix:

That was how we first met. ...Seven years ago.

-- Seven Years Earlier -- Phoenix Wright's Final Trial

April 19, 9:27 AM District Court Defendant Lobby No. 2

Phoenix:

(Whew, OK. It's been a long time since I've felt like such a rookie. Got to try and relax.) Ah, good morning, Mr. Enigmar.

Enigmar:

I'm... sorry to have sprung this on you so suddenly.

Phoenix:

I received the files from your previous attorney only yesterday. Honestly, I'm not entirely sure I'm prepared.

Enigmar:

...I understand I am asking the impossible of you.

Phoenix:

Yes, well, you haven't really told me what happened yet! All we did... was play cards.

Enigmar:

And that was enough.

Phoenix:

(Actually, it wasn't. Trust me.)

???:

Ooh! Morning, Daddy!

Enigmar:

Ah, I'm so glad you came.

???:

You OK, Daddy? They picking on you?

Enigmar:

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. I am fine, as always. This old boy is here to help me, after all.

Phoenix:

(That's "young man" to you.) Good morning. That's a cute outfit you have on.

???:

Thanks! My first show's today, after all!

Phoenix:

Oh, I'm sure it is! (What the heck is she talking about?)

???:

Oh... Old boy!

Phoenix:

Huh? Me? (Look what he's started.)

???:

Um, uh... Here.

Phoenix:

What's this...?

???:

I dunno! I just got it over there in the hall. They told me to give it to the "old boy in the blue suit with the spiky hair". They said it was really important!

Enigmar:

...What's this? A memo for you or some such?

Phoenix:

Hmm... Not from the looks of it. (What is this? Looks like a page from someone's diary.) I'll give it a read later.

Notebook Page added to the Court Record.

Enigmar:

Well, how do you feel about the trial today?

Phoenix:

We'll get through it. Somehow. Incidentally... the prosecutor today is a new guy, I hear.

Enigmar:

Ah... An easy win, then, yes?

Phoenix:

They're calling him a "true thoroughbred in the history of the prosecutor's office". ...Of course, there's one of those every year.

Enigmar:

...The switching of attorneys just before the trial... ...I know it is a difficult situation I put you in. But... allow me to say one thing, Mr. Wright.

Phoenix:

...Yes?

Enigmar:

They will not be able to pronounce me guilty today. So, do your best, but do not worry.

Phoenix:

(First time a defendant's ever given me a pep speech...) I'll do what I can.

Enigmar:

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. I see you do not understand. You see, it will be impossible for them to declare a verdict.

Phoenix:

I-Impossible?

Enigmar:

Yes. Isn't that right, Trucy?

Trucy:

Yup! You bet, Daddy.

Phoenix:

(My first look at the case was only yesterday. And the information I was given was a tad bit lacking, to be honest. Still, I'll do what I can. ...For their sake.)

Enigmar:

I believe the curtains will be lifting any time now. I am in your capable hands, Mr. Wright.

Phoenix:

My client is Shadi Enigmar. Known to the world as Zak Gramarye. A wildly popular magician, star of Troupe Gramarye. His mentor, Magnifi Gramarye, was a rare breed of magician. He single-handedly ushered in a golden age of stage magic... until he was shot dead. And Zak Gramarye is the suspect.

April 19, 10:00 AM District Court Courtroom No. 7

Judge:

Court is now in session for the trial of Shadi Enigmar.

Phoenix:

The defense is ready, Your Honor.

???:

......

Judge:

Is the prosecution ready?

???:

I was just thinking, is this what all the fuss is about? Bit of a buzz-kill, really.

Judge:

"Buzz-kill"...? Is this some new kind of crime?

???:

One of the worst. This is a trial, ja? Where are the sweaty palms? The pounding hearts? A Gavinners concert's got ten times the thrill this gig's got.

Judge:

Who... were you, again?

Klavier:

Klavier. Klavier Gavin. I came... to get the party started. Legally, ja?

Judge:

Gavin? Defense Attorney Kristoph Gavin's...?

Klavier:

Ah, figures my bro's more famous in this part of town.

Phoenix:

(Klavier Gavin... Lead singer for the megahit band, the Gavinners. You're out of your league, rock-boy.)

Klavier:

I know what you're thinking: "You're out of your league, rock-boy."

Phoenix:

......

Klavier:

True, my debut single, "13 Years Hard Time for Love", went platinum overnight... ...but that's just a hobby to me compared to this, ja?

Phoenix:

...Talkative, aren't you? I like your affected Euro-rock accent, by the way.

Klavier:

I'm just getting warmed up, Herr Attorney Wright.

Judge:

Perhaps you would be so kind as to fill us in on the case?

Klavier:

...Achtung, baby. Time to call on the opening act. ...What was his name again? Ah yes... Detective Gumshoe! Hit it! ...And you are?

Gumshoe:

Hey, you were the one who called me up here... sir. Name's Dick Gumshoe. I'm a homicide detective down at the precinct.

Phoenix:

(Detective Gumshoe... Long time no see.)

Gumshoe:

Hey, you!

Phoenix:

H-Huh? Me?

Gumshoe:

Today's the day, pal. Today, I win, and you lose! I got confidence in my testimony today, see.

Phoenix:

(What, you normally lack confidence in your testimony...?)

Klavier:

...Herr Detective, this is my stage. Can the antics.

Gumshoe:

Huh...?

Klavier:

All this "hey you"-ing and such. And I could care less about your history together.

Gumshoe:

Urk.

Judge:

...Very well, Detective Gumshoe, if you would. Please tell us about the case at hand.

Gumshoe:

It happened six days back, in a room at the General Hospital! The facts are as simple as they come. Here's the crime scene. The victim was a patient, asleep in a hospital bed. The killer comes in, puts a pistol to his forehead, and bam. Lights out. ...Them's the facts.

Judge:

Hmm... Not so long ago, the victim, Magnifi Gramarye was a famous man. He had the entire country under his "magical spell", as it were.

Klavier:

Ah yes, the great magician. He retired years ago, though. Say the name "Magnifi" to one of my generation... and you'd be lucky to get a blank stare.

Judge:

Yes, though I'm sure the youngsters today know his disciples even better. I daresay Troupe Gramarye has made quite a name for themselves.

Gumshoe:

Anyhow, the retired Magnifi's been in the hospital for the last year. Hmm, what was it? A mall-ignorant tutor or something. Doing something to his liver, I think. Yeah.

Judge:

A "malignant tumor", perhaps?

Klavier:

In other words, he had liver cancer. He had only three months left to live, in fact.

Magnifi's Chart added to the Court Record.

Judge:

Hmm... The facts do seem simple enough. But... something's not right.

Klavier:

...The victim was already climbing a three-month stairway to heaven. ...Why not wait for him to knock-knock-knock on heaven's door? Why shoot him?

Phoenix:

(I wouldn't have put it quite so lyrically, but it's true. Why make the effort to commit murder when the victim was about to die?)

Gumshoe:

Incidentally, the victim had a serious case of diabetes.

Phoenix:

Diabetes?

Klavier:

In fact, he was about to "shoot up" with insulin... ...when he was shot with a pistol. The syringe was found at the crime scene. Chronic diabetes... and cancer. As much as it pains me to say it... ...the victim was clearly at the end of his life.

Small Syringe added to the Court Record.

Judge:

Hmm... I believe the question before us is clear, then. Why did the killer have to shoot this dying man? What reason could he have had?

Klavier:

...Very well, Detective. Perhaps you can enlighten us as to the circumstances of the shooting.

Gumshoe:

Y-Yes, sir!

Witness Testimony

- - The Circumstances - -

Gumshoe:

Actually... the victim kind of ordered the defendant to do him in. A few days before it happened, the victim sent a letter "ordering" his own murder. The defendant did what was asked of him, and shot the old man in the forehead! The bullet was fired from the pistol found at the scene, no doubt about it. And the pistol definitely belonged to the old man, sir!

Judge:

Wh-Whaaat!? You're saying the victim ordered his own shooting?

Klavier:

Those are the facts. I have here the letter in question.

Magnifi's Letter added to the Court Record.

Judge:

...Very unusual, indeed! Although, could such a thing as a letter really cause one to pull a trigger, I wonder?

Klavier:

I believe the answer to that question can be found at the end of the letter.

Judge:

Ah... "You cannot refuse, and we both know the reason why." Detective Gumshoe, can you explain this to the court?

Gumshoe:

Unfortunately, even the defendant won't say a peep about that bit, sir.

Phoenix:

One thing bothers me about this. Why didn't he just say " 11 "? Why have him come at " 11:05 " without some specific reason...?

Klavier:

The devil is in the details, Herr Attorney...

Judge:

Well? Was there some reason?

Klavier:

As it turns out, there was. Every night, for a half hour, starting at 11:00... ...the victim, Magnifi Gramarye, was given an IV.

Phoenix:

An IV...?

Judge:

There it is in the picture, off to the side of the bed.

Klavier:

At 11:00, a doctor would come to set up the IV. Thirty minutes later, he would come back for the empty bag. This happened every night, without fail.

Phoenix:

So that was the only time they could meet without the chance of an untimely interruption. ...During his IV.

Judge:

Very well, shall we begin? ...Mr. Wright, your cross-examination, if you would!

Phoenix:

(What's this " reason he couldn't refuse ", I wonder? He could have at least mentioned it to me...)

Cross Examination

- - The Circumstances - -

Gumshoe:

Actually... the victim kind of ordered the defendant to do him in.

Gumshoe:

A few days before it happened, the victim sent a letter "ordering" his own murder.

Gumshoe:

The defendant did what was asked of him, and shot the old man in the forehead!

Gumshoe:

The bullet was fired from the pistol found at the scene, no doubt about it.

Gumshoe:

And the pistol definitely belonged to the old man, sir!

Phoenix:

(...I didn't have time to gather all the details before coming in here. This testimony might be my only source of information. Better pay attention... and read this letter carefully.)

(Pressing fourth and fifth statements leads to:)

Judge:

...The court would like to see the pistol in question.

Gumshoe:

You got it, sir! Here she is!

Judge:

Well. This truly is a "blast" from the past.

Gumshoe:

It's a stage pistol for magic shows, see. But it can fire real bullets.

Judge:

Hmm. It looks so much bigger in real life than on TV.

Gumshoe:

Yeah, but it can only hold one round. ...By the way, the pistol's firing chamber is empty. ...And it shows traces of having been fired recently.

Phoenix:

So... were any fingerprints found on the gun?

Klavier:

...Unfortunately, no. Of course, the defendant is known for wearing gloves. We might say that a lack of fingerprints is, in fact, a "fingerprint" of its own.

Judge:

Ah ha! Intriguing point, well made!

Phoenix:

Whoa whoa whoa! Not well made! Not intriguing!

Judge:

In any case, the court accepts this evidence.

Stage Pistol added to the Court Record.

Judge:

...My grandchild would get a kick out of seeing this. ...But now it's time to return to our testimony.

Judge:

The clown doll...?

Phoenix:

Take a closer look. See? It's been shot in the forehead, too.

Judge:

Ah...! There's a hole in its forehead!

Phoenix:

Yes, and a hole in the prosecution's claim!

Klavier:

Hah! And I suppose you have a reason as to why he'd shoot the clown doll?

Phoenix:

He didn't just shoot the doll. He shot the doll's forehead.

Klavier:

His "forehead"...? Aah...!

Phoenix:

Let's read the "orders" once more, shall we? "...You will shoot, one shot, square in the forehead." ...Which is exactly what he did. He shot the clown doll square in the forehead!

Judge:

The defense has raised an intriguing possibility. That hole in the clown's forehead... It definitely looks like it was shot! Bailiff! Send someone to investigate this matter!

Klavier:

I admit, I'm impressed. But I expected nothing less. Still, this doesn't mean he didn't shoot the victim !

Phoenix:

Perhaps he did have to shoot a forehead, as ordered. But the letter says nothing about whose forehead... This was the only way he had to follow his orders without taking a life!

Judge:

Hmm. The bullet hole in the clown doll's forehead does demand an explanation. It might very well be a clue. Yet Prosecutor Gavin is right. It alone does not prove the defendant's innocence. You cannot say for sure the defendant didn't shoot the victim.

Klavier:

So sorry, Mr. Wright. How sad it is to see the mighty fall.

Phoenix:

(...How sad it is to see the novice's overconfidence. He doesn't realize just how big this little " hole " is going to get.)

Judge:

...Detective Gumshoe. Please take this new-found fact into account as you continue your testimony.

Gumshoe:

So what if he shot the clown? He still shot the victim, pal!

Phoenix:

The trickiest cases often seem the simplest. Prosecutor Gavin, you missed the bullet hole in the clown's forehead. If you hadn't missed that, you might have come to a very different conclusion. ...Understand?

Gumshoe:

Y-Yeah, but like I just said, pal... ...after he shot the clown in the forehead, he went and...

Phoenix:

...Did nothing of the sort to the victim. The pistol proves he could not.

Judge:

The murder weapon? How?

Phoenix:

It's quite simple, Your Honor. This pistol only holds one bullet at a time.

Gumshoe:

Ah...!

Phoenix:

If he had shot the clown in the forehead... ...he couldn't have shot the victim, too!

Gumshoe:

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeargh!

Klavier:

Th-That's not a contradiction. Not even close! All he had to do was reload the pistol after the first shot!

Phoenix:

Oh? Where did he get the extra bullet? They're not so easy to come by, you know. If you claim the defendant " had one ready "... ...then prove to us how he got it!

Klavier:

Urk...! ...... Heh... Ha ha ha... I had a feeling this wasn't over yet. No... this party's just getting started. And I haven't proven anything yet, beyond my good looks, and startling record sales.

Phoenix:

(And utter lack of humility.)

Judge:

Hmm... Ah... what's this? It seems that the prosecution has another witness prepared.

Klavier:

Like I said, Herr Detective was just the warm-up act.

Gumshoe:

...Ugh.

Klavier:

Now that the audience has gotten a taste of what's to come, they're ready.

Phoenix:

...Ready for what?

Klavier:

For my decisive witness, of course. A witness who, you will find, can prove one thing for us: That it was Zak Gramarye who shot the victim in the forehead!

Judge:

...Very well. We will pause for a 15-minute recess.

Phoenix:

(This might be my lucky break... I'll need that 15 minutes to talk to my client... Zak.)

Judge:

...Court is adjourned!

To be continued.

April 19, 11:21 AM District Court Defendant Lobby No. 2

Zak:

Very impressive, Mr. Wright. I have to say, I expected nothing less.

Phoenix:

...We've only just begun. I was hoping you could tell me a bit more about what happened, actually.

Zak:

I did not think you would believe me if I told you. Better that you discovered the truth for yourself. I was thinking of you, you know.

Phoenix:

I think we need less thinking and more talking! That night in the hospital... What really happened?

Zak:

Ah, the way your eyes gleam, Mr. Wright... ...you'll scare Trucy.

Phoenix:

(Speaking of which, where is she?)

Zak:

You have seen the problem yourself: the letter.

Phoenix:

The " one shot in the forehead " one, right?

Zak:

Yes, and the reason he speaks of. I could not deny my mentor's wishes... even if it meant my own death.

Phoenix:

Why not...?

Zak:

This is something I will not say... for now, at least.

Phoenix:

(What's this "for now" business?)

Zak:

I have done many things in my life, some well, some poorly. But this is a cross we must bear alone to our graves.

Phoenix:

..." We "?

Zak:

You wanted to know about the night of the incident?

Phoenix:

(Finally... This guy sure likes to take his time getting to the important stuff.)

Zak:

Of course, I had no intention of shooting my mentor. I snuck into his room that night at the appointed time. And found there upon his bedside table two pistols.

Phoenix:

..." Two "?

Zak:

Yes. The one I had used on stage... ...and the one that had been used by my partner, Valant.

Phoenix:

Oh, for the "Zak & Valant's Quick-Draw" thing?

Zak:

My mentor... had the look of one sleeping. I stood by his bedside, hearing only the light sound of his breathing. ...Then I took the pistol into my hand. I cannot deny that my resolve faltered then, for a moment.

Phoenix:

You "faltered"...? You mean you thought about shooting him?

Zak:

Recall there was a reason I could not refuse his request. His last such request... though not his first.

Phoenix:

So... there were other requests you "couldn't refuse" before?

Zak:

To be honest, I've not always been steadfast... and I fear I've brought pain upon Trucy.

Phoenix:

(Was Magnifi coercing his disciples somehow? Just what was going on in Troupe Gramarye...?)

Zak:

Yet... in the end, I did not shoot him. Instead, I turned and shot the clown! I took the pistol I had fired and placed it in my pocket.

Phoenix:

In your pocket?

Zak:

I believe if you examine the bullet in the clown's head... ...you will find it to be different than the one in my mentor. The... What were those called?

Phoenix:

"Rifling marks".

Zak:

Yes. Well, that is all I have to tell you... concerning the case.

Phoenix:

"Concerning the case"...? You mean, there's something else you can tell me?

Zak:

Heh... Ha ha ha! You are a fascinating man, Mr. Wright.

Phoenix:

...Thanks?

Zak:

Yes... there is something. My mentor... his eyes opened.

Phoenix:

What!? Magnifi Gramarye...?

Zak:

The old devil. He was not asleep, you see. ...Of course, the gunshot would have woken him anyway. And there we had our last discussion as mentor and pupil. It was not a long discussion. Maybe five, ten minutes or so.

Phoenix:

What did you talk about...?

Zak:

Ha ha. Mr. Wright. ...Did I not just tell you? It does not concern this case.

Phoenix:

(Zak Gramarye... He seems pretty steadfast to me... or maybe just stubborn.)

Bailiff:

Mr. Wright! Your presence is requested in the courtroom!

Zak:

Once again, I am in your hands.

Phoenix:

...Right. Let's get back in there.

April 19, 11:37 AM District Court Courtroom No. 7

Judge:

Court is now back in session.

Klavier:

During our recess, a bullet was found in and dug out from the clown's head.

Judge:

Well! This is news! And the rifling marks...?

Klavier:

There wasn't time to do a detailed analysis. Though they did find the weapon type matches the murder weapon.

Judge:

Hmm... Well, that's not very conclusive, is it?

Klavier:

Which is why I'm about to call my very decisive witness.

Phoenix:

Your "decisive witness"? How many times have I heard those words... ...though they often turn out to be far less decisive than you think.

Klavier:

...Oh, don't worry on my account. I'm quite confident this witness will do the job. After all, he is intimately acquainted with the players in our little production... ...being the other half of Troupe Gramarye's famous duo... "Zak & Valant"!

Phoenix:

(Valant Gramarye... So, we get to meet the Great Magnifi's other disciple !)

Klavier:

Perhaps we'll start by asking your name and occupation?

Valant:

Valant Gramarye... Magician.

Judge:

Er, and you're the "decisive witness", are you? You can prove your fellow student... your partner's guilt?

Valant:

"Fate"... the grand illusion, filled with traps and tricks.

Phoenix:

W-Wait! The shooting took place in that hospital after 11 o'clock at night! If you're a "witness", does that mean you were there that late?

Valant:

If one were to deduce this logically, the conclusion is... yes!

Phoenix:

Um... OK. (I always get the characters, don't I?)

Klavier:

I have an interesting fact for you. You see, several days before the crime... ...my witness received this.

Judge:

That... looks very familiar...

Phoenix:

W-Wait... That's the same letter Zak Gramarye received!

Valant:

Yes. Or perhaps I should say "ta da"!

Judge:

Order! Order! Order! And what does it say? Surely not the same thing!

Klavier:

Perhaps you should see for yourself.

Judge:

Why, it's practically the same! The court accepts this into evidence!

Magnifi's Letter 2 added to the Court Record.

Judge:

This is most unusual... Exactly what was going on with you folks? What exactly was your "Troupe Gramarye" up to?

Valant:

...By which you mean?

Judge:

I'm just having trouble envisioning a man who would ask his students to kill him. Both of them, no less!

Klavier:

It's just my opinion, Herr Judge. But from these letters, I'd say he was coercing them, not asking them.

Valant:

We walked the magician's path together, and in so doing, shared much of our lives. When people are so close, there is strain... a warping of relations, you might say. ...Yet this has nothing to do with the case at hand.

Phoenix:

(By which you mean you're not going to tell us. ...Which makes me wonder even more about this " reason they couldn't refuse ".)

Judge:

...Well, let's get on with the testimony for starters. The defendant, Zak Gramarye stands accused. Tell us why.

Valant:

...Oh, I'll do more than that. "For where he walks, the red roses rise singing hymns to the miracle that is magic!"

Phoenix:

Fascinating. Though, I hardly need to remind you... ...that the evidence could just as clearly point to you as the suspect. The letter, the murder weapon ... ...and now, the two bullets found at the scene.

Judge:

In fact, the only difference seems to be the designated time...

Valant:

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! As every magician knows... timing is everything.

Klavier:

Yes... And now it's time to get this party fired up!

Witness Testimony

- - The Night of the Crime - -

Valant:

That night, I visited the hospital room at the time Magnifi requested. The smell of gunpowder hung in the room... and my mentor had taken his final bow. I did not imagine my fellow student might have received the same instructions! Yet a deal with the dead is still a deal. Death's sweet kiss... I gave to the clown. Then I informed the doctor and the police.

Judge:

Hmm... So you were the one who reported the crime?

Valant:

Indeed. I would think... ...this fact alone would clear my name of suspicion!

Phoenix:

Let's not jump to any conclusions!

Judge:

Yes, the cross-examination generally comes before the conclusions in this court. But, if your testimony proves to be true... ...then the defendant, Zak Gramarye, is guilty.

Phoenix:

(And if it wasn't Zak Gramarye, then the killer was you, Valant! And no disappearing act will get you out of that.)

Cross Examination

- - The Night of the Crime - -

Valant:

That night, I visited the hospital room at the time Magnifi requested.

Valant:

The smell of gunpowder hung in the room... and my mentor had taken his final bow.

Valant:

I did not imagine my fellow student might have received the same instructions!

Valant:

Yet a deal with the dead is still a deal. Death's sweet kiss... I gave to the clown.

Valant:

Then I informed the doctor and the police.

Phoenix:

(Both of Magnifi's students received the same letter. Both admit to having gone to the hospital that night. Two bullets were fired... and one of them killed Magnifi! Time to find the cracks in his testimony...)

Valant:

The pistol was already loaded. I merely had to pull the trigger.

Valant:

I took up the pistol from the small table and shot the clown.

Valant:

Only one pistol was in the hospital room that night. With it, I shot the clown.

Phoenix:

According to the defendant, Zak Gramarye, when he entered the room... ...there were two pistols on that table.

Judge:

Two...?

Phoenix:

One of those pistols he used to shoot the clown in the forehead. Then he left with it in his pocket.

Klavier:

Of course, this is what he would say. Unlike the hapless clown, we must assume our defendant has some brains in his head.

Phoenix:

...Well, what about what Mr. Valant has told us? You see, there's something about his testimony that doesn't make sense.

Valant:

...What might that be? I told you, I took the pistol that was there, and shot the clown...

Phoenix:

That's your story, at least.

Valant:

...?

Phoenix:

But the rifling marks tell a very different story, Mr. Valant. Recall what Prosecutor Gavin told us!

Klavier:

We compared the bullet taken from the victim's skull with a bullet fired from this gun. The rifling marks on the bullets were a perfect match.

Valant:

Ah...

Phoenix:

Mr. Valant, if you fired this pistol... ...then YOU shot the victim in the forehead!

Judge:

Order! Order! Order!!! Well, this is all rather sudden...

Klavier:

Heh heh heh heh... What have I done?

Judge:

P-Prosecutor Gavin?

Klavier:

I owe the court an apology. ...Sorry.

Phoenix:

S-Sorry for what!?

Klavier:

You see, I was unaware that two of these unique pistols were crafted. The analysis of the rifling marks only proved the type of gun that fired them.

Phoenix:

But... But that's not what you told us before! You said you'd verified the murder weapon !

Klavier:

Which is why I'm apologizing to you now. Quite sincerely, I might add. ...Would you hold me accountable for a mistake made in my youth?

Phoenix:

That was just this morning!

Klavier:

...I am still young. And, I might add, it wasn't really my fault. If the defendant had only admitted he took one pistol from the scene of the crime... ...we would not be having this pleasant discussion now.

Phoenix:

...!

Judge:

Hmm. Valant Gramarye?

Valant:

...Yes, Your Honor?

Judge:

You were presented to this court as a "decisive witness". But you've proven to be more "divisive" than "decisive".

Klavier:

...You'll see, in time.

Phoenix:

...!

Klavier:

The testimony so far has merely been a review of the "facts". The proof... comes next.

Judge:

Care to elaborate, Prosecutor Gavin?

Klavier:

When Mr. Valant entered the hospital room, the victim had already been shot. As his next testimony will prove! Herr Wright, the real fight is about to begin.

Phoenix:

(...Bring it.)

Judge:

Very well. The witness will now testify to the court. Help us determine who shot what!

Witness Testimony

- - Who Shot What - -

Valant:

I arrived in the hospital room at the appointed time, which is to say 11:20 PM. After discovering the body, I fulfilled my obligation... then called in the doctor. The doctor examined the body before the police arrived... He was quite clear about the time of death: 11:10 PM. And the one in the room at the time was my partner... not me.

Judge:

Hmm... Those times are rather close, you have to admit. You're talking about an alibi established over a matter of minutes. To use a 10-minute discrepancy as the basis of your alibi...

Klavier:

...Is easy to explain in this situation, Herr Judge. For example... ...take our debut hit single, "13 Years Hard Time For Love". Cue to the song, press the play button, and it will play for 2 minutes, 15 seconds. Do it a hundred times, the result is the same.

Phoenix:

(Their debut single was only 2 minutes and 15 seconds long? What a rip-off!)

Klavier:

Magic is a world of utmost precision! Hocus pocus... requires admirable focus. And in the time of death determined by the doctor there is an incontrovertible truth.

Judge:

...Very well. The prosecution warns us that we're dealing with rather precise times. And we can expect the cross-examination to require the same level of precision.

Klavier:

I would hope the defense refrains from its customarily broad, sweeping accusations. ...Lest we blur the focus this case so clearly demands.

Judge:

...Point taken. Baseless remarks will result in a penalty. Carry on, Mr. Wright!

Phoenix:

(Carry on... Right.)

Cross Examination

- - Who Shot What - -

Valant:

I arrived in the hospital room at the appointed time, which is to say 11:20 PM.

Valant:

After discovering the body, I fulfilled my obligation... then called in the doctor.

Valant:

The doctor examined the body before the police arrived...

Valant:

He was quite clear about the time of death: 11:10 PM.

Valant:

And the one in the room at the time was my partner... not me.

Phoenix:

(An alibi over a matter of minutes. Precise is right! Hmm. And pressing with impunity will earn me a nice penalty, too. Better focus on one thing... this " time of death ".)

Valant:

The water of life springs not eternal... The remaining IV liquid proves my innocence!

Phoenix:

...The crime scene tells all, Your Honor.

Judge:

The photo of the crime scene?

Klavier:

...All this talk of color has me yearning for black and white, clear-cut simplicity. ...Tell us, Herr Wright, just where is the contradiction in this photo?

Phoenix:

...My pleasure. And, I assure you, it's quite simple. ...But I can't promise anything in black and white.

Judge:

...Let's hear what Mr. Wright has to say. What in this photo contradicts the witness's testimony?

Phoenix:

...Valant Gramarye! Let's get one thing straight about your "lucky color". ...It's "yellow", yes?

Valant:

...Kind of takes the mystery out of it, but yes.

Judge:

Something wrong with yellow, Mr. Wright?

Phoenix:

Yes, there is. Decisively wrong, in fact. Take another look at the photo of the crime scene.

Judge:

Wh-What's this...?

Valant:

Confusion, doubt... tell us, what do your elderly eyes spy?

Judge:

Even my elderly eyes can see a problem here, Mr. Valant. Look at that IV bag!

Valant:

Ack! Wh-What is this...!? What foul mag... ick!

Phoenix:

...It would be hard to call the IV liquid "yellow". And I'm afraid, no magic was involved in the taking of this photograph.

Valant:

Ah.. Alla... Allakaz... Allakanooooooooooooo!

Judge:

Order! Order! Order!!! What does this mean!?

Klavier:

This... This is some kind of mistake!

Judge:

Yes, Prosecutor Gavin... Your witness's mistake.

Klavier:

...!

Phoenix:

(The greener they are, the harder they fall... I suppose there's no substitute for experience.) Valant Gramarye, as you reminded us several times... ...your lucky color is yellow. But the IV is clearly not.

Valant:

W-Well...

Phoenix:

This contradiction can mean only one thing!

Klavier:

...And to think... You almost had me.

Phoenix:

...?

Klavier:

I see your true colors now, "ace attorney" Phoenix Wright!

Judge:

Something you'd like to tell us, Prosecutor Gavin? As far as this court can tell, the witness's testimony does contradict the evidence.

Klavier:

Ah ha ha... Yes, a contradiction. One that I shall be pleased to hand right back to Mr. Wright!

Phoenix:

How do you mean...?

Klavier:

How? Because the witness has made no mistakes! I agree, at a glance, the IV liquid does appear a sort of greenish-yellow. But I assure you, the liquid itself is quite yellow.

Judge:

Yellow liquid ...? How can you say that? As far as I can tell from this photo, it's green ...

Klavier:

Yes, but what color is the IV bag itself?

Phoenix:

The bag? You mean the plastic bag on the hook?

Judge:

Hmm... It looks like a... I want to say "light blue"?

Klavier:

Precisely. ...Figured it out yet? Put a yellow liquid in a blue bag and...?

Phoenix:

...You get green.

Klavier:

This, incidentally, is the liquid's true color!

Judge:

...I see! Your explanation does have the ring of truth to it.

Phoenix:

As I thought... There's no substitute for experience, Prosecutor Gavin.

Klavier:

What...?

Phoenix:

You may tell a good tale. But. You've just proven something rather grave. For you, that is.

Klavier:

G-Grave?

Phoenix:

The liquid in the IV is yellow, yes. ...But how did this witness know that?

Valant:

...!

Phoenix:

It's quite unnatural when you think about it. You... did think about it, didn't you?

Klavier:

...Ah... Urk!

Phoenix:

Your Honor! The defense requests an explanation from the witness! At the scene of the crime, the IV liquid appears to be green ! ...So let me ask! How did the witness know the IV liquid was actually yellow!?

Valant:

Allakazooooooooooomg!

Judge:

Order! Order! Order!!! Mr. Wright! You will explain this at once! The witness clearly knew the color of the IV liquid... ...so I'm sure it means something, but what!?

Phoenix:

...I can think of only one possibility, Your Honor. The witness, Valant Gramarye... ...has testified that the IV liquid was yellow because...

Phoenix:

...From the facts before us, the answer is clear. The witness knew that the IV liquid was yellow. ...Why? Because he'd seen it before. But not inside the blue bag we see in the photo. He saw the liquid by itself, in a clear, colorless bag.

Judge:

I suppose he would have had to. But I'm still not clear as to what all this means.

Phoenix:

Ask yourself, why would he know, if he didn't work at a hospital? ...That's where you'll find your meaning, Your Honor.

Klavier:

I'm afraid I find nothing. So what if he knew the IV liquid's color? Leave the getting excited over absolutely nothing to our teenybopper fans, ja?

Phoenix:

The IV liquid is the only evidence "proving" the time of death. A 30-minute hourglass, with 20 minutes worth of sand remaining. Your claim, Prosecutor Gavin.

Judge:

I remember it well.

Phoenix:

However... ...there's a critical difference between an hourglass and an IV bag.

Judge:

W-W-Wait! I know!!! An hourglass uses sand, but an IV bag uses liquid ... ...I'm right, right?

Phoenix:

As much as it pains me to say this, Your Honor, no. Unlike the sands through an hourglass, IV liquid enters the patient's body. At which point, like magic, it disappears. However! What if the amount of IV liquid had increased ? You couldn't tell, could you? After all, there's no way of knowing how much went in.

Klavier:

Let me get this straight, Herr Wright. You're saying the witness watered down the victim's IV bag!?

Phoenix:

Not with water... but with IV liquid. That's how you knew the IV liquid was yellow!

Valant:

Now wait. Wait. I said wait!!! How might an amateur such as myself assay to perform such a task?

Phoenix:

I'm an amateur, too, but I can pour water into a cup.

Klavier:

I'm afraid there's quite a big difference between a cup and an IV bag. Quite. Can you prove our witness is capable of such a feat!?

Judge:

Hmm... He has a point, amateurs. I, at least, would have some difficulty pouring IV liquid into that bag.

Phoenix:

(You don't need to be an expert to see the look on the witness's face! He added liquid to that IV to throw off the time of death!)

Klavier:

...I tire of these fairy tales lacking evidence.

Judge:

Well, Mr. Wright? Any solid evidence to bring us back down to earth?

Phoenix:

...Valant Gramarye. I'm afraid your "magic" won't serve you well in a life of crime.

Valant:

Might I ask what you're strongly suggesting?

Phoenix:

...Magic relies on props. And props... become evidence. Our witness was certainly able to increase the amount of IV liquid in the bag. All he had to do was work a little magic. And the prop was...

Judge:

The victim's syringe...

Phoenix:

...It's the perfect prop for the "Magically Increasing IV" trick! And easy enough for an amateur to use.

Klavier:

Wh-What kind of evidence is that!? The syringe was clean! Not a trace of liquid in it!

Phoenix:

And don't you find that odd, Prosecutor Gavin?

Klavier:

Wh-What...?

Phoenix:

The victim had the syringe to administer his insulin shots... ...There should have been traces of insulin left inside!

Klavier:

...!

Phoenix:

Well, Valant Gramarye? As you pointed out yourself, the IV liquid makes the perfect clock... ...one that you could manipulate at will!

Valant:

Allak... Allakazzzzzzzaaaaaaaugh!

Judge:

I do believe... well, with this being his first... ...that the burden of this trial has been a bit too much to bear for Prosecutor Gavin.

Klavier:

......

Judge:

I'm afraid that, while there is a doubt as to the amount of IV liquid in that bag... ...the time of death cannot be proven. ...And that brings our trial to a close for today.

Phoenix:

(Well. Maybe I can squeeze an extra day out of this... I can do a little much-needed investigation work.)

Judge:

I see there are no objections, court is adjour--

Klavier:

Heh. Heh heh heh! ...Truly, there's no substitute for experience. Nothing blinds one to the truth so effectively.

Phoenix:

...!

Klavier:

A word to the wise: Underestimate the young, and they'll sweep your feet out from under you. In a way you never, ever expected. ...You see, I know exactly what you're thinking.

Phoenix:

...? (What's he talking about?)

Klavier:

You say the witness used the syringe to manipulate the level of the IV liquid. But there is no proof.

Phoenix:

There's no proof he didn't do it, either.

Klavier:

...Yes, quite true.

Phoenix:

(Huh? He's admitting it?)

Klavier:

Nor was this witness quite as decisive as I'd hoped. This, I admit. After all, why linger in the past, when the future holds so much?

Judge:

You... have something in mind, Prosecutor Gavin?

Klavier:

Proof, Herr Judge. I have another way to prove my case. ...With evidence, no less.

Judge:

What's this...?

Klavier:

This... is the victim, Magnifi Gramarye's diary.

Phoenix:

Diary...?

Klavier:

After going into the hospital, Magnifi began writing his memoirs, it seems. The story of his birth, his startling debut... and of meeting his disciples. It seems he intended for the last chapter to end, quite appropriately, with his death.

Phoenix:

Wait... That book doesn't say what the reason was, does it? The reason why his disciples couldn't refuse his last request?

Klavier:

...Sadly, it does not. What's important here... is on the last page. Apparently, the victim wrote in his journal that night. Even after the IV had begun at 11:00 PM. ...Let's read it, shall we?

Judge:

Hmm... This does appear to have been written just before his death. The court accepts this into evidence.

Magnifi's Diary added to the Court Record.

Klavier:

Read the very last part with particular care. "This journal may end here or it may go on... but not long. That depends on his hand." Of course, by " his "... ...he refers to our defendant, Zak Gramarye.

Judge:

...That would make sense, yes. He was the first scheduled visitor, after all.

Klavier:

But look at what he said before that!

Klavier:

"This journal may end here or it may go on." ..."It may go on"! Magnifi Gramarye intended to write again! That is... ...if Zak Gramarye didn't pull the trigger.

Phoenix:

......

Klavier:

I see the defense understands the meaning of this. The victim's diary does not "go on"... It ends! Because Magnifi's life was brought to an end by the defendant, Zak Gramarye!

Judge:

Order! Order! Order!!! ...Prosecutor Gavin! Are you certain that Magnifi Gramarye wrote this!?

Klavier:

...There is no mistaking his handwriting.

Judge:

Well, this does seem to be significant. According to this, Magnifi did intend to continue his diary. Yet, if his diary ended here, which plainly, it did...

Klavier:

...Then the one who pulled the trigger was the first visitor. ...Zak Gramarye. Well, how do you like me now, Herr Wright? Still too "green" for your tastes? Hmm?

Phoenix:

...... (He's right about the diary being pretty clear. Still I find it hard to believe... ...that he'd overlook such an obvious problem with his precious evidence!)

Judge:

Well, Mr. Wright? The witness's testimony we heard was lacking... ...but put together with this evidence, it seems quite sufficient for a case.

Phoenix:

(...If the diary is accepted like this, the trial's over. Hmm. Maybe it's time for me to show them something.)

Phoenix:

I'm left with no choice but to show my own evidence.

Judge:

...What!? You have some evidence that overturns this diary!?

Klavier:

Hmm... ...It's not to [sic] late to rethink this and avoid more... embarrassment.

Judge:

Very well. Please show us your evidence, Mr. Wright.

Klavier:

Incidentally, don't even think of showing us this diary I've just shown the court.

Phoenix:

...!

Klavier:

Now that we've come this far, I hope you have something a little more... decisive. Show us evidence that proves the victim continued writing his diary!

Phoenix:

...Alright. I'd be happy to. The decisive evidence proving that the diary didn't end with this page is...

Phoenix:

First... take a close look at this diary. ...Note that a page has clearly been ripped out !

Judge:

What's this...!? ...I hadn't noticed that at all.

Phoenix:

(That's why we're still here talking about this...) As it just so happens... ...I have here what I believe to be the missing page.

Valant:

...Allaka-I-don't-believe-it.

Phoenix:

Looking at this page... It's hard to imagine that the first visitor that night shot Magnifi Gramarye. That's the defense's position.

Judge:

W-Wait. Let me see that! What in sam hill...? Why, this is the continuation of the victim's diary!

Phoenix:

Note the torn edge of the page. It's a perfect match with the torn remains of the last page in Magnifi's diary!

Valant:

Quite... remarkable...

Klavier:

Would you care to explain what all this means, Herr Attorney?

Phoenix:

The diary continued after his first visitor came. Which means that the victim was still alive after Zak Gramarye left! Leaving no one to take his life but the second visitor ! Valant Gramarye!

Valant:

No... Nooooo...!

Judge:

The handwriting, too, matches that on the other pages. This is, without a doubt, the genuine article! Order! Order! Order!

Valant:

But, but wait! This is... That's impossible! That old man couldn't have written that...

Klavier:

...Finally. You just couldn't resist, could you, Herr Wright?

Phoenix:

...Resist what? Presenting solid evidence?

Klavier:

...... Herr Judge?

Judge:

Y-Yes, Prosecutor Gavin?

Klavier:

Might I request we put the current cross-examination on hold? The prosecution would like to call a new witness.

Judge:

B-But, Prosecutor Gavin! This evidence overturns the current witness's...

Klavier:

...I ask only to put it on hold! Please. My new witness has a very, very important piece of testimony to give. ...Five minutes. No more. I promise... Your Honor.

Judge:

W-Well, if you put it that way... Mr. Wright, what's your take on this?

Phoenix:

...... Well, Your Honor. Judging from his enthusiasm... ...we'll have to hear this new testimony sooner or later anyway. ...So it might as well be sooner.

Judge:

...Then, though this is highly, highly irregular... ...we will put the current cross-examination on hold. The witness may step down. ...Now, Prosecutor Gavin! Please bring this surprise witness to the courtroom!

Phoenix:

(...I had a bad feeling just then. That ripped-out page was too obvious... ...He must have known. And I should've known it was a bad sign all around...)

Judge:

Hmm... Holding trial with no audience is a first, even for me, Prosecutor Gavin.

Klavier:

...I beg the court's understanding. But I had to make a judiciary deal with the witness to secure his testimony.

Phoenix:

A judiciary "deal"...?

Klavier:

The details of his testimony may have some "legal ramifications", shall we say. I thought it best to contain the information to this room.

Judge:

Hmm... Very well. And you are the witness, I gather...?

???:

Ah... Y-Yes. Yes, sir.

Klavier:

...State your name and occupation for the record.

Drew:

Erm... My name's Drew Misham. I'm... a painter.

Judge:

A painter? And you are somehow related to this case?

Drew:

No, well. Not per se...

Klavier:

...I have one simple question for this witness.

Phoenix:

......

Klavier:

Mister... Misham, was it? Do you know what this is?

Drew:

Oh... yeah. I know it well.

Phoenix:

...How's that possible? Have you seen this diary page somewhere before?

Drew:

Oh, yeah. I mean... I made it.

Phoenix:

You... what? You "made" it!?

Drew:

...Yes. You might call it one of my " works ".

Klavier:

...The regional prosecutor's office received a tip-off yesterday. "Illegal evidence has been prepared for the trial of Zak Gramarye."

Judge:

Illegal... evidence?

Klavier:

I initiated an investigation, and found this witness. A painter to the world at large, Drew Misham has another side, you might say. He is skilled in making perfect reproductions of certain things... ... Forgeries, in other words.

Phoenix:

F-Forgeries...!?

Judge:

W-Well! So, we are to understand that this page here is...

Klavier:

...A fake. Prepared by a certain defense attorney.

Phoenix:

Hold it! I didn't "prepare" this evidence!

Klavier:

...Ah, the attorney speaks. Something about this page, I presume. But what is he saying? It makes no sense! ...After all it was you who presented this evidence to us, Phoenix Wright!

Judge:

...Witness! Er, Mr. Misham, was it? Who requested this forgery!? Who was your client!?

Drew:

That... I don't know.

Phoenix:

What...!?

Drew:

Most of my clients prefer to remain anonymous, even to me. I make the items they want, and receive my payment. That's the extent of my contact with them.

Phoenix:

B-But...! There's no proof this is a fake!

Drew:

It's a fake.

Phoenix:

Huh...

Drew:

To avoid just this sort of problem... I always put a special mark on my "works". I can say, without a doubt, this is mine.

Judge:

...Mr. Wright. You have just presented illegal evidence to this court. My court.

Phoenix:

(...It was careless of me. ...That's all I can say.)

Trucy:

Oh... Old boy! Um, uh... Here.

Phoenix:

What's this...?

Trucy:

I dunno! I just got it over there in the hall. They told me to give it to the "old boy in the blue suit with the spiky hair". They said it was really important!

Phoenix:

(It was all a trap. A fatal trap...)

Judge:

...Mr. Wright?

Phoenix:

Yes.

Judge:

Do you have an explanation for yourself?

Phoenix:

If I did, would the court hear it?

Judge:

...... Probably not. Forging evidence is a serious crime. And presenting it in court, a serious mistake. A fatal mistake, for an attorney.

Klavier:

Fatal, too, perhaps, for your client, I fear.

Phoenix:

...!

Klavier:

Tell me, what kind of defendant relies on forged evidence...? The answer is quite clear. A guilty one!

Phoenix:

...Your Honor, wait! I understand that presenting forged evidence in court is a serious crime. But you cannot hold my client responsible for actions I undertook as an individual...

Judge:

...I am sorry, Mr. Wright.

Phoenix:

...Your Honor?

Klavier:

Another close call, I dare say. If the prosecutor's office hadn't received that hot tip... ...everything would have gone the way you wanted it to, ja?

Phoenix:

......

Klavier:

...I even gave you a chance. Too bad you decided not to think before embarrassing yourself...

Judge:

I see no need for further discussion on this matter. Special witness dismissed!

Drew:

...Mr. Attorney?

Phoenix:

Yes?

Drew:

Could I... ask your name?

Phoenix:

...? Phoenix Wright...

Drew:

Mr. Wright... I have seen and studied many people, but none like you. I'll remember you, Mr. Wright.

Judge:

...Though I deeply regret having to declare a verdict in this way... This trial is over.

Zak:

......

Judge:

You have the right to find a new attorney and make an appeal. However, this court must...

Zak:

Ah, Your Honor?

Judge:

Y-Yes, Mr. Zak?

Zak:

There is one thing I wish to make clear. Today, in this courtroom... ...you cannot declare me "guilty". ...It is impossible.

Judge:

...I'm afraid the defendant is quite mistaken. I most certainly have the authority to declare a verdict on you.

Zak:

Except... tell me, how do you plan on announcing your verdict... ...when your defendant does not exist?

Judge:

"Doesn't exist"...? What are you talking about?

Zak:

I am talking... about this!

Phoenix:

M-Mr. Enigmar!!!

Klavier:

The defendant's escaped! Find him! Quick!

Judge:

Bailiff! Close all exits from the building! On the double! He must not be allowed to escape!

That day, in that courtroom, a miracle occurred. The defendant, Shadi Enigmar, a.k.a. Zak Gramarye, did not just "escape" from court. He literally, unbelievably, " vanished ". ...Right before the bailiff's eyes. No one ever saw him again. Not since that day.

...This is the "Gramarye Miracle"! Ah ha ha ha ha ha!

No verdict was declared. ...After all, the defendant didn't exist. That's how it happened. The trial of magician Zak Gramarye vanished, along with him, for all eternity. The mysteries that remained behind were all solved, however. ...But not until seven years later.

To be continued.