The Road to Justice
By Thomas

Authors note: This story takes place three months after Daria moved to Lawndale.

(Lawndale High. The Class of Mr. DeMartino. Daria is giving an oral presentation)

Daria: So in conclusion, while the place I've described might have the outside appearance of an utopian community. A place thats friendly, neat, tidy and a place where the majority of the inhabitants are there simply to enjoy themself. This appearance is only secured trough strict rules which are enforced by a wast security force who follow your every move, and who probably makes an extra buck using the surveillance tapes for blackmail purposes.

Brittany: Eeep!

Mr. DeMartino: Very good Daria. You've ARGUED your point very well. Although when I ASKED you to give a presentation on "Failed Utopian Communities". It wasn't DISNEYWORLD I had in mind.

(The hallway. Quinn and Taylor are standing at the lockers)

Quinn: Now remember. Don't come to my house. Park two blocks away and wait for me in the car.

Taylor: Sure thing Quinn.

(Daria and Jane walk past)

Jane: Whats that? Is Quinn planning her escape? Will you be free of her at last?

Daria: I wish. We have family court tonight, she's just looking for a way to weasel out of it.

Jane: Another family court? What did you do this time?

Daria: Its not me. My dad stands accused of causing carpet wear in the livingroom, and my mom's got the photos to prove it. Wanna come over? We could use a courtroom sketch artist.

Jane: Um... No thanks. There's a limit to how much weirdness even I can handle.

(Lane kitchen. Trent is sitting at the table drinking coffee. Jane enters and walks over to the refrigerator)

Jane: (opens it) Empty again. And to think its only been a week since I went shopping last time. Have you seen mom around?

Trent: She went to get more clay. Said she would be back tomorrow.

Jane: Trent, thats not what I need to hear right now. I got no money. How are we supposed to get anything to eat?

Trent: You could ask me.

Jane: (beat) Do you have any money?

Trent: No. But Nick invited me over for dinner. You can come along if you want.

Jane: To Nick? Last time you ate some of Nick's food you got diarrhea.

Trent: Bummer. You think if I go to sleep I'll forget I'm hungry?

Jane: (sigh) Maybe you will.

(Morgendorffer livingroom. Jake is sitting on the couch to the right. Daria and Quinn are sitting on the one to the left. Helen is standing in front of them)

Helen: Now I'll be the prosecutor...

Daria: As always.

(Quinn snicker)

Helen: (annoyed) I'll be the prosecutor in the case against Jake, so one of you girls will have to act as judge.

Quinn: Let Daria do it, I have to leave anyhow.

Helen: Where to? I'm not letting you sneak out of family court to go on a date.

Quinn: I know that. But you see. I'm reading to blind people, starting tonight. And you know, a commitment is a commitment.

Jake: Did you hear that Helen? Our girl started reading to blind people. Isn't that something.

Helen: It sure is. I'm glad you started caring about others sweetie.

(Daria sighs. The doorbell rings)

Helen: Who could that be?

Daria: Yeah who could that be. Quinn's not going on a date tonight.

(Quinn looks nervous. Helen answers the door. Its Jane. She's carrying her sketchbook under her arm)

Jane: Hi Mrs Morgendorffer. Daria said you were looking for an courtroom sketch artist. Um... I hope I didn't interrupt your dinner?

Helen: Why no Jane. We're not eating until after the trial.

Jane: (under her breath) Drat.

Jake: Jane? You're one of Daria's friends. Right?

Quinn: The one and only.

(Daria sends Quinn a dirty look. The doorbell rings again. Helen answers it. Taylor is standing outside)

Helen: And what can I do for you young man?

Taylor: I just need to ask Quinn something. I've forgotten how many blocks away I was supposed to park.

(Quinn buries her face in her hands)

(A few minutes later. Jake and Quinn are sitting on the couch to the right. Daria is sitting one the one in the middle. Jane is sitting on the one to the left drawing sketches. Helen is standing in front of them)

Helen: Your honor. Jake stands accused of causing carpet wear, Quinn for lying. Which case do you want to hear first?

Daria: Lets take dads. That'll give the blacksmiths more time to build a cage for Quinn.

Quinn: But mu-oom. You can't let Daria be my judge. She's going to give me this really hard sentence.

Helen: Nonsense Quinn. Besides, you can always appeal... In a week or so.

Quinn: Mu-oom!

Daria: Do you have any evidence that dad is the one who caused the carpet wear?

Helen: As a matter of fact I do. I took these pictures of him pacing the floor. (hands the pictures to Daria)

Daria: You should have used a camcorder you know.

Helen: What do you mean?

Daria: A picture can't show if someone is actually pacing or simply walking. I'm afraid I have no choice but to dismiss the case.

Jake: Thanks kiddo.

Daria: You're welcome.

Helen: Now look here young... (her phone rings, she answers it) Oh hi Eric. You're trembling? Yes coffee withdrawal can do that to a person. Just a sec.

(Helen leaves the livingroom)

Daria: I told you I could get you of. Now pay up.

Jake: Sure thing kiddo. (hands Daria 20 bucks)

Quinn: (shocked) You took a bribe! (pause) How much to let me off?

Daria: 20.

Quinn: 10.

Daria: 15.

Quinn: Deal.

(off camera) Helen: Ahem.

(Cut to the entrance to the kitchen where Helen is standing with a scowl on her face)

(A few minutes later. Jake, Daria and Quinn are sitting on the couch to the right. Jane is sitting on the one to the left still drawing sketches. Helen is standing in front of them)

Helen: Jake stands accused of causing carpet wear, Quinn for lying and Daria for corruption... Now where was I?

Daria: Run out of judges.

(Helen looks at Jane)

Jane: Um... Can I use the bathroom?

(Outside the Morgendorffer's house. Jane sneaks out trough the bathroom window and runs away)

(Lane livingroom. Trent is sleeping on the couch. Jane walks over to him)

Jane: Sometimes I envy you. (her stomach rumbles) Shut up!

(The doorbell rings. Jane answers it. Its Daria)

Jane: I'm not going back to that place you know.

Daria: I know. Actually I came to thank you. With no judge available my mom had no choice but to drop all three cases. Besides something came up and she had to work late. (mona lisa smile) Wanna go get some pizza. My treat.

(Jane's face lightens up)

THE END