“When you spoke about the different tests—that help the court decide whether the case is about preparation or attempt—you didn’t mention ‘The Last Proximate Act Test.’” She wanted to say something, but he didn’t give her a chance. “To me, it’sclear that you purposely left this out of your argument because it wouldn’t lead to the outcome you wanted, but it is also clear to me that the defense will use it in closing arguments, and at length at that. They will claim that this test was not met because, at the end, in a moment of truth, the poisoned inhaler was not in the complainant’s bag. Because, according to this test, one is considered as having attempted to commit an offense only when he actually carries out the last action required to complete the offense and, in our case, even though the defendant placed the poisoned inhaler in the complainant’s bag, the fact that she removed it in the end cannot be ignored.” He spoke to her like a teacher showing disappointment to an outstanding student. “Melody, you cannot ignore data that doesn’t fit in, that’s uncomfortable for you because, by doing that, you are letting it fall into the hands of the other side. You must also address the difficulties that exist in your argument and try to propose solutions.” She thought about what he had said and nodded. They looked at one another and remained silent.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked, to break the silence.
“About an important conversation I’ll be having with Weissman tomorrow.” He didn’t intend to speak of it further and changed the subject. “How would you sum up your first four months with the State Attorney’s Office?”
“It’s too soon for me to sum up my experience yet. My basic feeling is that I still have a lot to learn, that I’m still under the watchful eyes of my superiors.” She smiled at him, still under the impact of his words.
“Life is a potpourri of tests,” he replied like a wise old sage, “in the morning, time tests you, to see if you will get the kids to kindergarten on time and not be late for work; and at work, the boss examines you closely, evaluating your performance all throughout the day; and at home, your children test you, to see how smart you are and if you know how to help them with theirhomework, and if the dinner you prepared is good enough… and it goes on like that till bedtime.”
“And at bedtime?” she continued to smile.
“Your partner tests you, assessing whether you are still as good a lover as you used to be.”
She didn’t seem convinced. “Don’t get me wrong. I like it here,” she said assuredly, “and it is mostly thanks to you. In general, I feel that my life has gotten back on the right track. That’s very typical of me—most people look back on their past with nostalgia, but I always think that my life in the present is better than it was in the past.”
“In other words,” he wanted to make sure he understood, “if we compare your satisfaction with your present life, with, let’s say… when you were a high school student, your life now is much better?”
“Of course,” she recalled her cursed teenage years, “I had a hard time in high school. In biology class, I learned that I was too fat; in our Hebrew lessons, I learned that I don’t have one good word to say for myself; in math class, I learned that nothing adds up for me; and, in history class, I felt disconnected and rootless.”
He thought about her words, fully believing her. “And what about chemistry?”
“Oh, there I learned that no one is attracted to me… I hated myself without knowing why.”
“Psychologists would probably advise you to start exploring the wounds of your childhood.”
“I abhor Freudian ways of thinking.”
“I actually admire them.”
“Why?”
“Because, according to them, we are not to blame for anything, it is all our parents’ fault.”
“Tell me, how did you manage to navigate this conversation so that it ‘exposes’ only me? Is this some kind of an examination?”
“It is ‘getting acquainted,’” he corrected her.
“What’s the difference?” she insisted.
“There are two differences: An ‘examination’ is a forced process, whereas ‘getting acquainted’ is a willful matter. Besides, in an examination, only one party is exposed before the other party, whereas when getting acquainted, both parties get to know each other.”
“Bravo! In that case, Yiftach, now is precisely the moment for me to get to know you. How long have you been here? A little less than half a year? How would you sum up this period till now? And, even more importantly—what are your plans for the future? To inherit Weissman’s position? To become the State’s Chief Attorney? I gather from things I’ve heard that people have big plans for you.”
“I do whatever it takes to reach the pinnacle.”
“I despise the pinnacle,” she surprised him, “whoever is at the pinnacle is alone. I prefer to be down below, to mingle with common folks.” They remained silent for a moment. “And how do you make a decision?” she asked, “do you follow your mind or your gut feeling?”
“Actually, a combination of both. Each is weaker without the other.”
“I make decisions from my gut feeling,” she offered, “and sometimes it makes me feel a bit unsure of myself.”
“I find a lack of self-confidence repulsive.”
“Interesting,” she replied in a quiet but jibing voice, “I find arrogance repulsive.”
A thin silence followed.
Chapter Nine
