Judge Dredd

THIRTY-FOUR

THE SETTING:

The lighting is subdued in the Council Chamber. The massive marble carving of the eagle and badge of the Judges is almost lost in shadow. Perhaps this somber atmosphere reflects the mood of the Justices themselves. They know this is not a time for secrets or evasions, for half-truths and Council politics. This is a time of reckoning, of honest exchange, of sharing the strength, the wisdom, and the craft that brought them where they are. This is a time when they will perish or survive.

JUDGE ESPOSITO

This is the latest casualty report: Ninety-six Judges have been assassinated. I’m sure that’s a conservative figure. Our lines of communication are severely disabled. Property loss, civilian deaths… we can’t keep up with that.

JUDGE McGRUDER

Whoever’s behind all this is familiar with our every procedure. They have our security measures… they even know our scrambler frequencies. Nothing’s safe! They know everything we do!

JUDGE ESPOSITO

With only a handful of Judges on the street, riots are breaking out all over Mega-City. We don’t even have emergency personnel anymore—we don’t have anyone to send. The situation is critical!

[Judge Silver studies a sheaf of papers. He crushes them in his hand and lets them fall to the floor.]

JUDGE SILVER

It’s more than critical. It’s a disaster! We cannot replace these Judges. Even if we put the Cadets on the street—an action I cannot bring myself to think about—we would not be at full strength for years.

JUDGE McGRUDER

We don’t have years, my friend. I doubt very much we have days. And mark my words, with nothing to control them they’ll be up here, at our doors next. You can bet on that.

[The Judges glance at One another, then quickly look away. This is a horror that each of them has experienced, alone, in the safe and guarded havens of the Heights… the nightmare of the horde, the swarm, the Citizens of Mega-City free and unleashed, the havenots of the overcrowded warrens down below, thinking of the wonders, of the dream, of the beautiful toys of the few they have only glimpsed on their videos… Silence. The Judges can hear the hiss of sterile air. Chief Justice Griffin looks at his hands, stands, and turns to the others.]

CHIEF JUSTICE GRIFFIN

There is a solution, you know. It’s there. And perhaps this is exactly what it was designed for. Project Janus.

[The Council erupts in babble. The explosion of anger, astonishment, fear, and disbelief echoes about the vast room. Judge McGruder comes to her feet.]

JUDGE McGRUDER

Chief Justice Griffin. The mere mention of that name, that abomination, is intolerable—and grounds for impeachment!

JUDGE SILVER

No. It is unthinkable, sir. Out of the question. This Council tried to play God once before. It almost destroyed us then.

CHIEF JUSTICE GRIFFIN

And if this wholesale slaughter of Judges continues, then what, Judge Silver? We shall surely be destroyed if that occurs. What possible purpose would that serve? If we bring Janus into play it can—

JUDGE ESPOSITO

It can what? A new batch of test-tube babies won’t solve this crisis, Chief Justice. We do not need reliable Judges twenty years from now. If we are going to survive, if this city is going to survive, we need help this minute, today!

(The lines of age and weariness are deeply etched into Judge Esposito’s face. The skin is dark and blotched beneath his eyes. Last night he heard the sirens wailing far below. When he finally slept, he dreamed of men with tattooed faces, men with blood in their eyes… )

JUDGE SILVER

I quite agree. With all due respect, Chief Justice, we have a desperate emergency here, a problem of the moment. This is not the time to speak of measures whose ends likely none of us here will live to see. If, indeed, we dared to consider such an action.

CHIEF JUSTICE GRIFFIN

But I am not speaking of procedures that would take years, Judge. I would hope you’d give me more credit than that. No, you are right, all of you. We cannot wait. And, in truth, we don’t have to. Science has come a long way since we initiated the Janus Project. Accelerated growth incubators are far more technologically advanced than they were at the time.

We could create adult subjects now, fully grown and trained at birth. We could replace the Judges we’ve lost in a week.

[The Judges are stunned. Judge Silver clasps his hands to keep them from shaking. Judge McGruder feels a quick stab of pain in her chest. The Mediks have told her this likely wouldn’t happen again. But it has. Judge Esposito closes his eyes. He sees his nightmares walking in the full light of day. Judge McGruder is on her feet, staring at Chief Justice Griffin.]

JUDGE McGRUDER

Good God, man! Have you lost your senses, sir? Do you know what you’re saying?!

(Chief Justice Griffin is perfectly calm, as cold as the black marble slab that looms above his head.)

CHIEF JUSTICE GRIFFIN

All I am asking, Judge McGruder, is that we unlock the Janus Files. That does not, in any way, compel us to take action. It merely gives us an option. Is there anything wrong with that, with exploring answers to our dilemma?

[Chief Justice Griffin waits. No one speaks. Each Judge, perhaps, is hoping that the other will say the word that will break this terrible spell.]

CHIEF JUSTICE GRIFFIN

Please. I only ask that we find out. Nothing more than that. If the Council decides I am totally in the wrong, that the Janus Project is definitely not the answer to this crisis, why, then I will of course accept that decision… and further, I will at once resign my position as Chief Justice of this Council.

[Again, the Judges look at one another in silence.]

JUDGE SILVER

I would… not be opposed to looking into the matter. I will certainly not commit myself further than that.

CHIEF JUSTICE GRIFFIN

I would not want you to, sir.

JUDGE McGRUDER

I will agree. Reluctantly, Chief Justice.

JUDGE ESPOSITO

I would like to go on record against even bringing this subject into the open. However, if the other members of the Council are in favor… I will not oppose you.

CHIEF JUSTICE GRIFFIN

Your objection is noted, Judge. And I go on record here as saying I greatly appreciate your candid opinions on this most important subject. That is what this Council is all about. Now. Would the members please acknowledge their voice codes for Central Computer?

McGruder, Eve. Council Judge. Authorize file, code name Janus.

Acknowledged.

Esposito, Carl. Council Judge. Authorize file, code name Janus.

Acknowledged.

Silver, Gerald. Council Judge. Authorize file, code name Janus.

Acknowledged.

CHIEF JUSTICE GRIFFIN

Report present status, Central.

CENTRAL

I have received unanimous authorization for access to the file code-named Janus. Removing Security Blocks now. Awaiting password command from presiding Chief Justice.

[Judge Magruder, closest to Griffin, draws in a quick breath. One hand goes to her breasts, an ancient and unconscious gesture of protection, a gesture of alarm. Chief Justice Griffin’s eyes seem to glow, to generate a brighter, silver shard of light that is not a reflection at all, but some illumination from within.]

CHIEF JUSTICE GRIFFIN

Password command… origin.

CENTRAL

The Janus file is open.