The Judge and his Friend

The Trial

Once there were two best friends, Bob and Lucas. They were like brothers, and they did everything together. They grew up together, and knew the other would never betray or forget them.
When they got older however, they grew apart after Lucas stole Bob's car, and went in very different directions. Lucas became a criminal, always on the run from the law, and Bob became lawyer, gradually being promoted until he was a judge. Lucas was careless and one day was caught and sentenced to a heavy fine for his crimes.
On the day of the trial, the judge recognised his old best friend, standing as the accused with his gaze averted. He was caught in a dilemma. How could he sentence his friend to a fine he knew he could never pay? Even when they were younger Lucas always asked him to borrow money, which he had happily lent. If he was to pay up, he would have to borrow huge amounts of money and be hounded for the rest of his life, always scraping for pennies trying to pay it off. He couldn't do that to his friend. But what could he do? If he pardoned him, the court would be in uproar. It wasn't fair for him to be let off without paying the price.
Finally he came to a decision. The gavel came down and the room rang with the sound of his voice.
"Guilty."
Lucas slumped in his seat, seeing the bleak future stretch out before him, but before he dismissed the court, the judge took off his robes and wig. He stood up and walked to where  the accused sat and took out his chequebook. The court started muttering and wondering what he was doing. Lucas looked up and saw the face of his best friend. His eyes widened with recognition.
The judge smiled and wrote something. Then he tore off a cheque and handed it to Lucas.
"There. Fine paid in full."
Lucas's jaw dropped and he stared at the judge in amazement. He scrambled out of the booth and gave his friend a bear hug for the first time in over a decade.
"Thank you! Thank you, how can I pay you back? How can I ever repay you?" He asked.
The judge simply grinned and said "Just be my friend again."