The scene: Booth is at a Magistrates Court in Town 2, the case having been transferred several weeks ago from Magistrates Court Town 1.
Legal Advisor: Oh dear. Magistrates Court 1 has not sent us the paper bundles that your solicitors and the Applicant lodged.
Booth: That’s a blow.
Advisor: Yes. The Applicant has just now cobbled together two extra paper bundles for the Bench. [Pause] It’s not good enough, really, because I’ve got three Magistrates. Have you got any paper copies of your bundle?
Booth: No. I’m fully electronic. I can email an unmarked copy of the bundle to you.
Advisor: We’d have to print it then.
Booth: OK then.
[Booth emails the bundle.]
Advisor: We’ll have to charge you.
Booth: Pardon?
Advisor: For the paper.
Booth: [Pause] [Laughs]
Advisor: No. Really.
Counsel for Applicant [aside, to Booth] They will, you know. I’ve seen them do it before.
Long Story Short. Booth was not charged. Case was adjourned. Justice is currently being delayed. Crazy world.
