In the Late Cretaceous
By Connie Willis, first published in Asimov's Science Fiction
A story is on trial for falsely claiming to be science fiction in a satirical 1940’s London courtroom.
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Plot Summary
Set in a ridiculously satirical 1940’s London courtroom, a story is on trial for falsely claiming to be science fiction. The Judge is dressed in robes and a huge wig, and calls for the closing arguments. A voice from the crowd objects, but the Judge silences them. The defense gives their closing argument that the story on trial is indeed science fiction. A voice from the crowd objects again, and the judge, again, overrules it. The defense finishes, and the voice objects again. The Judge, bored, hears the objection. In a slight break of the fourth wall, the objector debunks the accuracy of the whole courtroom scene, from the Judge’s wig to the use of the word “objection.” The judge overrules the objection and has the objector removed from the courtroom. The prosecution proceeds to give its closing argument, which roasts the story. The judge makes the prosecution say a rhyme before they can finish, because the defense did. The jury then finds the story not guilty. The prosecution walks over to the jurors and pulls off their hoods, revealing they are dinosaurs. The Judge’s wig falls off, revealing he is also a dinosaur, and the room erupts in chaos as dinosaurs chase the crowd.