Casualty of Court – CeeCee is in session

After the rather terse interviews conducted by Annie Skillsett, another panelist now takes over.

CeeCee Dedmann is a psychic, clairvoyant and all-round hippy-chick, and she has invited each of the four main characters to either connect with someone from the other side or to look into her Crystal Ball. What will they choose?

As a free spirit, untethered to the physical confines of any building, CeeCee is using Annie’s office. She has adorned the plain desk with swathes of purple silk, pink chiffon drapes cover the window, and snatches of sunlight filter through, dappling the walls. Soft music tinkles, and the heady scent of jasmine wafts throughout from burning incense sticks.

It’s a whole new world! I hope my characters are ready for her.

First up, we have Fern in the hot seat. On arrival, she’s a little wary of the changes made to the office. It’s clear she’s more comfortable in a formal environment – a typical accountant, you might say 😉

CeeCee lowers the volume until the music is scarcely audible – she can’t bear to turn it off completely since it adds to the ambience – or so she thinks.

CD: Hello, Fern. So lovely to meet you at last. I’ve read the notes – what an ordeal. You poor thing, so young and yet so many dramas.

I’m sure Fern flinched at the ‘poor thing’ statement. She’s hates being pitied. 

FM: Hello, CeeCee. I can call you that, can’t I?

(CeeCee bows her head.)

FM: I’ve had a hectic few years, but nothing I can’t deal with. Shall we get on, I’m sure you’re very busy.

CD: I am, yes, very busy indeed. (CeeCee moves random items around on the desk)  I don’t think she liked that remark from Fern. Let’s crack on, then. I see you’ve chosen a Crystal Ball reading. Why the future and not the past?

FM: That’s right. Well, we can’t change the past, can we? Maybe a glimpse into the future will help me make better choices.

CD: What concerns you most about the future? (CeeCee reaches across the desk and pulls her Crystal Ball closer. Draped in a white silk cloth, the object dwarfs her tiny hands)

FM: In the immediate future, this trial bothers me. I sense something bad is looming. I just know if he goes free then I’ll never be able to move on.

CD: So, you have the gift too, do you?

Whoa! That was a snarky tone, CeeCee.

(She removes the white fabric with a flourish, ever the drama queen)

(Fern’s face reddens)

FM: Oh no, nothing like that. Maybe I’m just a pessimist. (She gives a hollow laugh)

CeeCee doesn’t look impressed. (She reaches for her notepad: Is this slip of a girl taking this seriously or just going along with it for amusement?)

CD: Are you sure you want to know what lies ahead? If you discover something not to your liking, how will you deal with it?

FM: I like to think I’m adult enough to cope with whatever life throws at me. It’s just seeing him go free  – that would rankle me – but I’d manage. I always do – eventually. Besides, it’s not as though you can tell me what will happen, can you? I mean, this fortune-telling stuff is not exactly scientifically proven, is it?

OMG, Fern. Have you never heard the phrase “hell hath no fury like woman scorned?” Meet Madame Fury in person.

CD: So, this is all a joke to you, is it?

FM: Not a joke, but it’s a little light relief from the serious interviews.

(CeeCee turns up the volume, closes her eyes and sways back and forth in her seat. Fern watches, unsure whether to stay or not. She makes to reverse out of the room)

CD: Stay where you are. I decide when this interview is over. (She opens one eye, stares at Fern and noting the young woman’s unease, she opens the other eye, sits up straight and smiles) I’m pretty sure she’s faking it, but you can never tell with CeeCee.

CD: Aside from the trial, what else would you like to know?

(Fern licks her lips and gulps before answering.)

FM: Maybe you could tell me if I’m going to be successful as a PI. My friend has asked me to join her in business. Will it be a good move for me?

(CeeCee wafts her hands over the Crystal Ball)

CD: Let me see. A Private Investigator solves puzzles, crimes and the like. Involves gathering clues and having good instincts. From what you say, you can intuit situations. That’s a useful skill to have, particularly in that industry. However, I sense you will not find it so easy. The future is … dare I say, stormy.

FM: Really? So, will there be a dark, handsome stranger riding upon a white stallion to rescue me?

Oh dear, this attitude won’t help matters. What on earth has happened to Fern? The trial must be affecting her, she’s not usually so antagonistic.

CD: Don’t mock me, child. The spirits are always watching. You should be mindful of your words, young lady. Such complacency doesn’t bode well for a harmonious outcome. Maybe we should end it here. Before you say something you regret.

FM: Good idea. I told them it would be a waste of time. I’m sure Nessa will be more in tune with your talents, though I doubt Raven will be. Goodbye.

CD: I wish you good luck. You’re going to need it.

(Fern leaves the room, shaking her head)

Maybe she should heed those words of CeeCee’s, after all, our psychic is rarely mistaken on such matters. 

(CeeCee sighs, and reapplies the silken cover to the Ball before completing her summary)

CeeCee’s summary: A sceptical, and rather ill-mannered young woman. Is she frightened of being left behind in the world if the trial goes against her? Childish, but unwilling to admit to being so. She’s an intelligent woman, though sparing with her words. I wonder if her failure – or should I say unwillingness – to believe is a sign she’s hiding something. I’m not sure I trust her. There’s a devious streak lurking below the surface – that young lady doesn’t like to lose. I detect a hint of the spoilt, only child in her, she expects to get her way every time.

How interesting. CeeCee has a very different impression of Fern to Annie. Who will be proved right?

How will Raven fare? She’s next up and has asked to ‘speak’ to her father. 

And … the session with Nessa has really piqued my interest – I can’t wait for that.

CeeCee certainly has her own unique style.

Thanks for reading 🙂

Casualty of Court is available to pre-order now as an ebook, releasing March 21st 2018. Click here to view on Amazon

In the meantime, you can read The Fifth Wheel – A Prequel now and find out what happened last summer.