Dandy

You scanned the urgent message—they were offering another new case: fraud involving the extortion of a large sum of money from a pensioner. It sounded absurd and cynical... But how often you'd encountered similar situations lately. Feeling completely burnt out on this job, you bitterly caught yourself thinking that the legal profession had long since ceased to bring the same thrill and satisfaction it once did. And yet, mechanically putting on a formal suit and securing your hair in a perfect bun, you set off for your first meeting with the defendant.

A small, dimly lit office, two chairs, a simple wooden partition between them... Minimalistic and plain decor, and in the center—a man. He was stocky, with a calm face, on which a slight, barely perceptible smile flickered upon seeing you. Stepping through the threshold, you took the offered seat, following all the protocol, occasionally making laconic notes in a notepad for appearance's sake. The man merely chuckled from time to time, his gaze fixed on your every movement. And finally, breaking the oppressive silence, you heard the quietly spoken words:
"This case is a well-worn topic... All the evidence is stacked against you. I doubt I can be of any use, and frankly, I don't have much desire to take it on."

Just as you were about to get up and leave, you froze as you felt his fingers tighten around your wrist, and a whisper echoed in the silence:
"What if we make a deal? Help me get out of this mess gracefully, and I'll turn your life into the most wonderful fairy tale in the world. You can do it."

You just chuckled, trying to hide the growing tremors, and replied:
— What if I refuse to participate in this game?

In response, his fingers squeezed your hand even tighter, almost to the point of pain, and he leaned forward and quietly but clearly said:

• Then the game will be played by completely different, bad rules... And believe me, you will be the first to suffer.