“I had the oddest feeling of elation/fear/apprehension as I entered the courtroom/restaurant/ghost train.”

 I had the oddest feeling of elation as I entered the courtroom though I didn’t know why.

I was guilty as sin. I knew that everyone knew that, but I had this feeling that everything was going to be okay.

There was nothing in my immediate surrounds to suggest this, the judge, a red-haired man with a face that bore the look of life’s burden, stared down at me with eyes that felt as if they were delighting in the punishment he was about to mete out.

There was a music track playing, the sort of music you expect to hear in movies as the guilty ascents to gallows. It was plainly my imagination getting the better of me after all I was there because of a complete misunderstanding concerning a parking fine I had incurred.

Despite that I felt my sense of elation rising, it would all be sorted out before morning tea, and I’d be on my way, chastised and most likely poorer, but no longer wasting the courts time.

There was a bang and a crash as the judge summed up the situation. “Mr Peters, you are a guilty man. Guilty men must be punished. You, Mr Peters, are the sort of man who keeps me in a job and I appreciate that. But guilt is guilt.

I look into your eyes and see elation, though I don’t know why. This is not a matter to feel elated about.  This isn’t a matter for which you should feel guilt; society demands retribution, you will go to prison and rot there until you have learned your lesson and the elation you feel is wiped from your soul forever.”

There followed another bang and crash, and two large burly men appeared at my side and escorted me from the court.

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. Fear and apprehension suddenly arrived, and I could hear them inside me joking  at the situation I was now in.

“Never did like that elation,” said one to the other.

“Always above itself,” replied the other to the one.

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2020/09/06/sunday-writing-prompt-6th-september-choosing-your-context/