I look wildly toward the back row where Artie was sitting. I can't see him at all. The mob at the back is pushing and shouting. Ben and other law clerks run for the judges' exit next to the dais. My heart begins to thunder.
Time is slowed, stretched out.
Sarah grabs my arm. I look back at the dais. Armen stands at the center, shielding his eyes from the overhead lights, squinting into the back row. Judge Townsend is stalled at his chair. He slams the chief judge's gavel again and again.