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Casey Taylor: Ace Attorney
An Ace Attorney Alternate Universe focused more on lawsuits and divorces than murderous crimes (sort of)
Case 2: The Band Suit
Week 1: Teaser
October 1st, 13:00
KSTK Newsroom
KSTK Studios
Reynard: Good afternoon, I am Reynard Faust. The headlines for today: A horror show encourages vegans to promote their lifestyle; prosecutors are building up a case against a disgraced Dr Nichols, who had been arrested for conspiracy to murder; and a reboot of the Jammin’ Ninja is said to be in the works. But first, Sister Shiro, Khurai’inese nun by day, rocking bassist by night, says she is willing to sue The Evil Fey for wrongful termination! The band, for whom she played bass alongside songwriters Terri Einfield and Paula Geist, had recently removed her from their lineup after her extremist views against Mystic Maya Fey had gone public. Infamous Paparazzo Cody Hackins was the first to report this news, and the band’s label Darjeeling Records has confirmed it a week later.
…
October 1st, 13:15
Main Office
Taylor & Co.
Casey: It’s the same old story, isn’t it Gramps?
Blaise: Aye. News stations trying and failing to be neutral. If that’s the way we learn about the world, it’s no wonder Japanifornia needs a better law system!
Casey: Maybe we should stick to other sources for now. I mean, if we live in a world where people on the internet are more accurate reporters than the ones on the telly, that’s how you know it’s going crazy.
Blaise: Sonny, I knew it was crazy without the internet. I mean, you don’t need the tube to tell us that protests are there for a reason, and that there are transphobic sons of Jackals out there, for example.
Casey: Maybe not, but many people would turn away from all their trouble by justifying their hatred on social media, oversharing their life stories, turning facts about the Dark Age of Law into jokes. I mean, don’t get me wrong, we do need to teach people the way we can, but don’t you think we’re sugar-coating it a little with technology?
Blaise: Aye! My thoughts exactly, Casey! The fellas on social media don’t know the truth when they see it! And when they do see it, they do some sweet FA about it! That’s why I don’t do social media, meself.
Casey: The way things are going; I wouldn’t be surprised if a few lawyer wannabes had the guts to question how I applied the Wright Way into my first case. Granted, I was badgering and bluffing, and I need to decrease any of that in order to be professional, but what do those Themis dropouts know?
Blaise: I couldn’t agree more about our rep. We still aren’t getting any employee applications! Though, I will say that only people who like Phoenix Wright get into Themis in the first place. You’ve gotta learn from Nick to be like Nick, that’s what I’ll say.
Casey: Yeah. I think we should just call them jealous wannabes and leave at that. Bearing in mind, some of my critics might be actual lawyers who have good points. They’d need to be verified in order to earn my trust, though.
Blaise: Speaking of verified, I used to work with Hugh O’Conner when he started in the 30’s. He started late, just as I did. I was in me 40’s at the time, so it was a sort of student-mentor relationship, except we changed roles from time to time as we learned from each other like university students with a ten-year age gap. Anyway, he got me in touch with a certain Myriam Scuttlebutt, and she was a court reporter who had a double life as an intelligence reporter. Apparently, she learned tabloid journalism was not for her, bless her. Ended up deciding to report the truth as it is with court transcripts and a website in her own name.
Casey: Wow. So you’re saying that she can be our source of legal news?
Blaise: Well, yes, but also, if the law system wasn’t so corrupt, and the newsreaders had anything to say about it, she wouldn’t need to do this.
…
…
Casey: I wonder if there are any lawsuits to be filed today?
Blaise: Well, there was this one report about that bassist that was going to sue her band?
Casey: Yeah. She didn’t strike me as interesting. And she’s apparently against the Channelling Master anyway, so I don’t see a case for her.
Blaise: And I suppose the band has their own legal team, right?
(Ring)
Casey: Oh! The office phone! I wonder what case I’m going to take on…
Blaise: (First time in a month, this.)
(Ring)
(Click)
Casey: Hello, Taylor and Co.
???: Is this Mr. Casey Taylor?
Casey: Yes. That’s me. How can I help?
Sterner: Good afternoon, Mr Taylor. This is Petra Sterner, from Darjeeling Records. The manager for the Evil Fey has informed me to let you know that they are thinking of filing a countersuit against their former bassist, Sister Shiro.
Casey: Can I ask what happened to your in-house legal team?
Sterner: They coincidentally quit their posts when Shiro was fired, and the band’s lead singer, Paula Einfield, decided to enlist your services personally, having been inspired by your performance in court against that plaintiff, who she says was a ‘transphobic client’. If you want your law firm to be well known in the Los Osaka area, and in Japanifornia by extension, this case might be able to help your reputation. What do you say, Mr Taylor?
…
Casey: When is the nearest meeting time available? We are light on meetings as a new law firm.
Sterner: Let me see…
…
…
Sterner: We have a time available for tomorrow at 1:30 in the afternoon. Is that okay?
Casey: Yes, Miss Sterner. That works with us.
Sterner: Good. Paula Einfield and Terri Geist will meet you in the office building at 1:30 tomorrow. We’ll see you then.
Casey: Thank you Miss Sterner.
(Click)
Blaise: Good news?
…
Casey: WE HAVE A CLIENT!
Blaise: Who?
Casey: The Evil Fey! And they think they have a case against Sister Shiro. We best do some research because we might be able to help!
Blaise: Aye, but why are you excited for the case anyway?
Casey: I’m a fan of the Evil Fey as a band. You should have heard their hit about the Spirit Medium in hiding. It reminded me a lot about State vs Iris, because the song’s climax went like…
Blaise: …
Casey: Oh, but I digress. This will be a chance for us to present our case on a less strict schedule; an opportunity for us to prove our reputation beyond jailing hidden criminals via badgering! We’re taking on this case to prove ourselves.
Blaise: That’s what I’m talking about, lad! Hit the books because we are about to rock this town tomorrow!
Casey: (Leave it to my grandfather to make appropriate dad jokes.)
…
And so I gathered the appropriate research that I think may help my favourite band. After all, I might need it in court if Sister Shiro isn’t willing to settle…