The whale's lawyer-Chapter 2

There is no setting for this chapter. That's ridiculous, but if it wasn't this way, maybe it would be the novella I planned.  We all need things or we think we need things.  I need someone who can go to places with me and we can write down what they are for these chapters while we sit a drink wine and listen to old songs that we remember because we're almost the same age.  And someone to watch romantic movies with so I can steal ideas of romance in my stories.  Or perhaps all my novellas should end up as short stories.

Chapter 2

So how smart are whales?  Brian Koolman had joined them at the restaurant.  He was young, but old enough to have some advanced degree in marine biology, perhaps 5 years the senior to Beth Champee.  He had also risen to a position of prominence in an animal’s rights organization.

“No one gives whales tests to find out,” Brian was saying.  “Maybe, however, they should."  Beth was watching Brian Koolman with almost worshipping attention.  They did make a handsome couple.  He was perhaps six-five, blond hair and tanned.  He wore the casual designer clothes and had the college education that bespoke of a cultured, entitled upbringing and his accent spoke of early years in a northeastern city.

“Here are the facts on Whale intelligence.”

“Wait a minute.  If you start with whales, you end up talking about dogs and cats.  Then cows and there are no more steaks, no more hamburgers.”

“Well, we may well end up there, but this is something different.”

“But if whales can be held to be people, retarded people or otherwise, then can’t they be held guilty of murder?”

“Whales almost never kill people and then only when provoked.  Orcas have never been shown to either hunt or kill people except in captivity.  There, they have only done it a handfull of time, despite having ample opportunity.  The truth is that they do not have the opportunity except in the rare cases where they are held in captivity.  The few documented natural cases show no natural inclination to eat people over other more traditional prey, but only in situations where they are being hunted for food by people.  They have the “self defense” rights if they are intelligent.  The only evidence of an Orca killing a person occurred in captivity.”

“This whale killed someone.”

“This Orca was kept prisoner for 10 years.  He needs representation, he needs to tell his story though the courts and from the courts to the world.”

Hyatt was silent for a long while.  He did not look at Beth or Brian.  “I’d need a way to cover the costs.  Even if I was to consider something like this.”

“Our rights for Whales organization can pay those.”

“Now?”

“Soon, after the case is filed and becomes public.”

“I can’t pay these kinds of costs up front.”

Beth gave him a look.  Hyatt looked away as a cold sweat broke out.  A trickle of sweat ran down his side, even though it was cool inside.  “How about if you took it from my estate proceeds?  And you can pay me back when Rights for Whales comes through.”

Hyatt let out a long breath.  He waited a long moment.  “That would work for me.  If you are truly serious about this, I’ll draw up a fee agreement to cover this.  Come by my office and we’ll go over the facts in more detail.”