12 Hours: written and edited by

by Richard Eisbrouch

“The Rashomon Effect” describes an event given contradictory descriptions by each person involved. It describes the unreliability of eyewitnesses. Every element of the story is largely identical, but the dishonest retelling of the events shows each person’s ideal self by lying.Gay lawyer Ben Carleson – from In The Plan – is back, this time in 1985, near the beginning of his career and soon after he finished law school and passed the California bar exam. But he and Gene De Wijk met over a different kind of bar. “Of course, it’s harassment,” Gene insisted. “Unfortunately, especially in this case, that can’t be proved,” Ben pointed out. “They’re not even mentioning the bar.” “What else would it be?” Gene went on. “The cops were waiting... parked... outside a gay bar. Illegally cruising us as much as it’s against the law for us to cruise each other.” “Again, that can’t proved.” Gene sighed. “Well, what do we do next? I’m not gonna let this drop.” “I never suggested that.”Some readers’ is a powerful tool in the hands of a skilled therapist. Great format for the beginning of a story. – P.G.Harrowing! I'll be glad to learn what's happened. A different style of writing. – F.D.Excellent presentation of research of a competent lawyer putting together a case. Loved it! – B.C.Good interrogation so far. Not sure just where she's going, though she's doing her best to show him to be less than truthful in his description of his state of inebriation. – A.R.Even in the liberal San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, this being 1985, both lawyers are easing around Gene's being gay. – N.V.While it might seem that the action is slow, I’m finding it so very close to what I've witnessed while on jury duty, and seeing a real trial vs. a TV trial. Good job! – C.N.The prosecutor has done her best to paint Gene as non-compliant and possibly resisting arrest and/or lying. Interesting. – J.L. I was interested in the psychologist's report - very detailed - maybe even too much when she was describing the frequency of sexual activity. – B.K.I'm waiting for the "Aha-Gotcha!" moment. So far, Ben is creating the perimeter. – O.Z.I find this more accurate than the quick, "I gotcha!" – W.H.So au courant with what's happening at the moment. I think the lesson, at least for me, is, "In any interaction with any police officer, no matter how minor, don't piss off the cops." – J.P.I think the jury only seemed to focus on the last question of the prosecutor’s. They didn’t take anything else into their deliberations. Everyone's lying! – T.C.

209 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 9, 2021