A listener note, this episode contains descriptions of racism and may not be suitable for everyone.

Imagine, you're sitting in a large, vast courtroom.

It's larger than your average hall of justice and a bit more aromatic, if you're being kind.

It's not just the rotting old wood in the floorboards or the mold hiding behind the walls.

No, the smell you're reacting to is wafting up from your own body.

Sweat, the smell of fear and desperation.

Because right now, you are terrified.

You look around the courtroom.

It's packed with people. Their eyes are wide and they're leaning forward in their seats.

The sound of their whispers is an annoying low buzz in your ear.

Like a mosquito you can't swat.

You want to switch your seat and get away.

Hell, you want to get up and walk right out of here.

But you can't.

Because you are the defendant and your handcuffed to this massive table.

You give the cuffs a good, hard jerk just to remind yourself no matter what happens

in here today.

You are staying put.

You turn to your lawyer, William, who's already starting to sweat through his rumpled suit.

He leans over and whispers in your ear.

Stop fidgeting.

You glare at him.

...