America

I watch myself watching them argue. It's a social worker, a lawyer for me, a lawyer against me, a cop, a judge, and some people.
...
"The kid can't keep his hands off lighters, Your Honor," the lawyer against me says. "Not to mention that the kid confessed here."
"Is the boy wanted for a crime in Nyack or not?" the judge asks.
"He is not, Your Honor," the lawyer for me says.
"However, it would be prudent to reexamine the case, given the boy's recent confession," the lawyer against me says.
"You're repeating yourself, McKinsey," the judge tells him. "I heard you the first time." Then he looks at the cop. "Is the family of the deceased asking for a reopening?"
"No, Your Honor," the cop says.
"Is the guardian asking for a reopening?"
"No, Your Honor," the cop says.
"Is Nyack asking for a reopening?"
"No sir."
"Where is the guardian?" the judge asks.
"She's unable to care for the boy, Your Honor." the social worker says. "But she's expressed the desire for him to return. She expresses a strong attachment to the boy."
"I believe I asked where she is," the judge says.
"In a nursing home, Your Honor," the social worker answers. "In Nyack."
"The guardian is in Nyack?" the judge says. His voice gets louder. "How long was this boy detained at R and D?" I see the quiet and the way the judge's face turns red. "Why is this boy in Manhattan?" Nobody answers. "Why is this boy in front of me?" Nobody answers. "Anyone?" the judge says.
"I got lost in the system," I watch myself say.
"Jesus Christ," the judge says.
- America, E.R. Frank