Good News and Bad News.  A Morris Vendon parable.

Tom was a criminal. Big time. He was a cheat, a liar, a gambler, an adulterer and a murderer. He had no scruples. He would have sold his mother if he needed to. But he had been caught and he was sitting in prison thinking about his next move. Escape? Suicide? Neither was possible because he was watched too closely. He practiced all sorts of speeches denying his illegal activities, but none sounded convincing – even to him! He was in big trouble, and he knew it. The future looked black. He was at the end of his rope. He knew his time was up.

One day a prison official came to Tom’s cell and said, “Tom we have good news and bad news.” Tom looked up solemnly, yet deep inside he was eager for any change in the misery of just sitting there day after day and so he braced himself for the news. “The good news is that a lawyer has been assigned to your case and he is the best in the world.” Tom was silent, he knew there was a catch somewhere. Sure enough, the official continued, “The bad news is that the prosecuting attorney is also assigned, and he is the best in the world.”

Tom was still silent. The prison official shock his head while saying, “That lawyer must be crazy defending the likes of you. Anyhow he is coming here to see you tomorrow,” and he turned and walked away.

The next day a quiet sort of gentleman came to the cell and knocked. Tom looked up startled, then laughed bitterly, “You’ve got the key so why knock?”

“I only go where I am invited,” said the visitor.” “Well come on in” said Tom, “I’m not going anywhere.” The visitor opened the door and entered, then sat down. “Who are you anyway?” asked Tom. “I’m a lawyer” said the man, “and I understand you are looking for a lawyer to take your case.”

“Yes” said Tom (and it’s about time they sent me someone, tell me about your qualifications? The man here said you are good, but if you are too good I will not be able to afford your fee. Level with me so that I will know what to expect.”

“Well,” said the lawyer, “I have some bad news and some good news. The good news is that I have never lost a case, I can guarantee the outcome of the trial if you place your case in my hands.”

“The bad news is the price, right,” said Tom. The lawyer nodded. “Ok lay it om me, how much is it going to cost?” said Tom.

“It’s free”

“I beg your pardon?”

“It’s free” the lawyer repeated.

“Hey, I’m not a rich man, but I don’t need your charity, if I can just get out of this dump, I can raise the money to pay you.”

The lawyer smiled kindly, “No if you want my help, you must accept it as a gift, you cannot pay me for any part of it, it is totally and completely free. It is one of the conditions for me taking your case.”

Tom was silent for a while, then asked, “Are there any other conditions for receiving your help?”

The Lawyer nodded, “I have some more good news and bad news for you. The good news is if you want me to take your case, just ask and I’ll take it immediately. The bad news is, if I take your case you have to plead guilty.”

Tom gasped! “Aren’t you guilty? Asked the lawyer.

“Well…, yes, but if I plead guilty to all the charges against me I wont stand a ghost of a chance. They will throw the book at me. How can you think you can possibly help me if I plead guilty?”

“I have some bad news and some good news for you,” said the lawyer. “The bad news is that if you plead guilty of course you will be convicted, and if you don’t plead guilty, the prosecuting attorney has sufficient proof so that you will be convicted anyway. Either way there is no doubt you will get the death sentence.”

“Then why even have a trial?” asked Tom miserably.

“You have forgotten that I have good news too. I am willing to take your sentence and let you go free!”

“No way!” cried Tom. “You aren’t the one who lived the rotten life, I’m the one, I’ve done nothing good, I deserve nothing but death, hanging’s too good for me, I can’t let you pay for my crimes!”

The lawyer replied gently, “but Tom I already have paid, all that remains is for you to accept my substitution, on your behalf, if you accept it, it’s yours, free.”

After a long moment, Tom asked quietly, “Is there anything else I should know before the trial?”

The lawyer nodded, “Yes I have some good news for you and some bad news. The good news is that you will be pardoned, there is no question about that, you will be able to stand before God and man as though you had not sinned, but there may be some bad news too for you.”

“What’s that?” asked Tom.

“Well it is that you won’t be a criminal anymore.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ll be a new person, while you’re awaiting your trial to take place, you wont continue to lie and cheat and steal and kill. You’ll become pure and trustworthy, we’ll work closely together day by day and you will become more and more like me. You will learn to hate the things you once loved and love the things you once hated, you’ll be a new person altogether.”

“I’m not too sure about that,” cried Tom “the prospect of pardon looks pretty good to me, but what if I go my own way, can’t we just arrange it so that I can be released from the penalty of my actions, do I really have to stop being a crook?”

“The pardon sir, is only good for those who are willing to have a new life,” said the lawyer.

Tom stared are the floor of his cell, while the lawyer waited patiently for his decision. At last Tom raised his head, “I would like to ask you to take my case” he said. “I admit that I am guilty, and I really don’t want to keep on being a criminal, I accept your offer.”

The lawyer rose and help out his hand, Tom took it firmly and the contract was sealed. “Is there anything else I should know before you go?”

“There is one final thing” replied the lawyer, “I have one last bit of good news and bad news for you.” Tom smiled, “Give me the bad news first, and get it over with. Although all of a sudden it seems that all your bad news has not been bad news at all.”

The lawyer smiled too, “All right, the bad news is, that we have set the date for your trial.”

“Well, that’s not bad news at all,” exclaimed Tom, “with a lawyer like you, do you think I want to stay in this dump forever and never even have my case go to court. News of the coming judgment is terrific news. And your good news had better be really good news to out strip that one.”

The lawyer looked into Tom’s eyes before he said gently, “The good new is this, when you come to trial I will not only be your lawyer, I will be your judge.”