Stories Of London

PAGE TWENTY ONE:
INNOCENT OR GUILTY???
PART 6

The Statue of Liberty atop The Old Bailey

The law of the wise is a fountain of life
Poise the cause in justice’s equal scales

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Paul Drake

Paul Drake is a renowned Investigator who, although had helped a number of clients, is best known for his involvement in the cases of the famous attorney-at-law, Perry Mason.

Perry Mason

Perry Mason is the famous attorney who has represented many down-trodden clients in over two hundred and fifty high profile cases. On these cases, he worked in close association with his secretary/assistant, Della Street along with Mr. Drake.

Miss Della Street

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Left: Paul Drake, Perry Mason & Della Street;
Right: Rounding out the team is Gertie, the receptionist

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Most of Mr. Mason’s cases along with his clients have become legendary. He has offered a winning defense to a wide cross-section of wrongly accused members of society. Perhaps his most renowned cases have included a Fugitive Nurse and a Vanishing Victim, as well as a Crooked Candle and a Lost Last Act mention just a few amongst the many. He was also responsible for the dismantling of a child-gang of thieves lead by a modern-day Fagin, as was the situation in what has became known as The Twice-Told Tale.

Fagins

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When Mr. Drake learned from an operative of the District Attorney’s plan to use Casanova/Puppy as a pawn to finally indict Don Guido, he knew that this was a case that would interest Mr. Mason since he had successfully represented many innocent creatures who had become caught up in scandals that had been none of their making.

A number of cases where Mr. Mason represented a wide variety of poor innocent creatures have included:

• a maligned Caretaker’s Cat, another with Velvet Claws and one that was a Careless Kitten, as well as a Twelfth Wildcat;
• cases brought against dogs include one that Howled, another who was Weary and a third who Watched;
• horses have similarly been accused and include one belonging to a Fan Dancer, a Stallion who was Startled, a Filly that was Fickle and along with a Pony that was Polka-Dot;
• Other innocents helped have included a Vagabond Vixen, Mythical Monkeys, a Bashful Burro, a Waylaid Wolf, a Cowardly Lion, a Crippled Cougar, a Grinning Gorilla, a Moth-Eaten Mink, a Lame Canary, a Drowning Duck, a Perjured Parrot and even a Drowsy Mosquito and some Glittering Goldfish! 

Left: Sergeant Tragg with The Crooked Candle; and Right: Mr. Burger with The Poker-Dot Pony

Mr. Drake was convinced that Mr. Mason would be fascinated by The Case Against Casanova/Puppy and would want to ensure that Due Process was given to him.

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During the meeting between Casanova/Puppy, his Counsel, the victim and Mr. Paul Drake, Counsel came quickly to the point. She said that he had spoken to Mr. Perry Mason, the renowned attorney-at-law about his joining the team, but this could only happen if Casanova/Puppy agreed. Casanova/Puppy looked toward the victim, who knew instinctively that he was expected to make the decision.

The victim turned to Counsel and said that they would be guided by her recommendation and asked what she thought of the proposal. She immediately answered and said that it would be certainly of advantage to their cause should such an able and renowned person as Mr. Mason represent Casanova/Puppy in his case since he had an excellent record in Court, and if anyone could gain Casanova/Puppy his freedom, then it would be he. After some further decision, it was agreed that Mr. Drake would contact Mr. Mason to say that Counsel, the victim and Casanova/Puppy would be happy if he were to join the team. With this, Counsel and Mr. Drake left the room.

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When Mr. Drake arrived back at his hotel, he went straight to his room and immediately placed a call to Mr. Mason’s chambers. Gertie answered the call and when she learned that it was Mr. Drake calling, she connected him to Miss Street’s office. She said that Mr. Mason was due in chambers soon and when he arrived, she would have him return the call.

Mr. Mason did not keep Mr. Drake waiting long for the return telephone call. Mr. Drake gave Mr. Mason an account of the conversation he had had earlier regarding Casanova/Puppy’s case and how all interested parties would be happy if he were to join the Defense team. At this Mr. Mason asked Mr. Drake to set up a meeting with Counsel for the afternoon of the next day and also said that he would be taking a flight as soon as possible and asked him to meet him at the airport when he arrived.

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Mr. Mason flight arrived early the following morning. After going to his hotel and checking in, he, along with Miss Street and Mr. Drake went to Counsel’s chambers for a preliminary meeting. Following the usual introductions, Mr. Mason said that he was very happy to join the team, and offer support and suggestions to Counsel where appropriate. Counsel immediately said that if it would be agreeable to everyone, perhaps Mr. Mason would assume First Chair. However, he declined this offer and said that he had read transcripts of all of Counsel’s court cases and he felt that she was more that capable of giving her client the best counsel possible, but he would be very happy, and indeed honoured, to be Second Chair.

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Following this, the team travelled to the Jail where Casanova/Puppy was being held to inform him and the victim of their proposal. Both Casanova/Puppy and the victim were happy to hear their news, and Casanova/Puppy showed his appreciation by licking Miss Street’s hand and then by offering Mr. Mason his paw.

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It needs to be remembered that Casanova/Puppy is Old World and has a reputation for being somewhat flirtatious when in the presence of an attractive woman …….. or even when one is perhaps less attractive!

Casanova/Puppy displaying that WINNING look!

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After the team took its leave, Mr. Drake went to visit with certain parties who would undoubtedly be called by the Prosecution while Miss Street, Counsel and Mr. Mason returned to Counsel’s Chambers to prepare a Defence for The People versus Casanova/Puppy.

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The next day the newspaper headlines were abuzz with the news that Mr. Perry Mason had arrived in town and had joined the Defense team of Casanova/Puppy. A multitude of reporters with microphones and television cameramen where now poised in front of his hotel and at the Court House eager for any word, since it now seemed that the world was interested in Mr. Mason’s latest case!

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And from that day on, every newspaper in the world carried a huge headline and story on what was to become The Trial of The Century!

And from then on, whenever Casanova/Puppy with his Counsel came to Court, both the Paparazzi and the Legitimate Press were waiting, with everyone seeking a word or a statement, and perhaps THE photograph that would go around the world!