Just outside Kevin's Home, Northridge (a suburb several miles northwest of central Los Angeles), California, 20th-Century Earth, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy, Q-niverse.  June 15, 1988.

Kevin Keene, Michael Keene, and Perry Mason, accompanied by Duke, were walking down the sidewalk near Kevin and Michael's house together.  (The author would point out most strenuously that this is Michael Keene, NOT Mike Vincent, the school bully who would terrorise Kevin.  Michael Keene is always 'Michael,' while Mike Vincent is always 'Mike.')  For some time, Perry had been a good friend with Kevin and Michael's family.  Michael greatly resembled his brother, looking exactly the same way Kevin had looked at age eleven.  The boys wore the same brand and colour of jeans and the same brand and colour of shoes.  Their short sleeved shirts were the same brand, but Kevin wore yellow and Michael wore red.  "Gosh, it's a nice day, Mr. Mason," Kevin said.  "What do you think, Duke?"  Duke barked in reply.

            "Yes, Kevin, it is a nice day," replied Mason.  "Hey, how about we go visit Hamilton Burger in his office, see what he's up to?"

            "Sure!" said Michael.

            Kevin said, "Why not?  It's not too often we get to go into the city.  Lead the way, Mr. Mason."  They walked to Mason's car, which was parked in front of the boys' house.

            Kevin and Michael were about three years apart in age, but one would never know it from the way they acted towards each other, not even their parents.  They were not only brothers, they were the most inseparable pair of best friends in the world.

            At the car, Perry got in the driver's seat and fired up the motor.  Kevin told him and Michael, "I'd better go in and ask our parents' permission first, though."

            "Good idea," said Perry.

            "Yeah, Kev," Michael said.  Kevin entered the house.

            "So, Michael," asked Mason, "do you take after your brother's taste in music?"

            "Oh, absolutely, Mr. Mason.  I'd pick classical over popular or rap any time, though I have absolutely nothing against the former where the music itself is concerned.  Just the lyrics sometimes."

            "Well, that's one decision I'm sure you'll be happy with throughout your life.  I know that I have been.  The right melody can relax one after a very stressful day."

            Kevin came back out.  "All right.  We may go with you, Mr. Mason.  Mom has some telecommuting to do."

            "All right," Mason said.  "Hop in."  Kevin let his brother get in the front seat with Mason and got into the back seat on the passenger's side.

            "Sorry, Duke," Kevin told Duke, "but you have to stay here.  We'll be back, though."  Duke went back into the yard and went to sleep.  Mason, Kevin, and Michael drove off.  "Boy," said Kevin, "will I be glad when I can drive."

            "Ha, ha!" Michael laughed.  "That must be the tenth time this week you've said that!"

            "Hey!  I want to drive!"

            Mason smiled.  "You have to wait, Kevin.  You're fourteen years and five months old.  You can't drive yet.  You can, though, get your permit in a month, and you'll hopefully be able to get your license in January 1990."

            * * *

            Hamilton Burger's Office, Los Angeles, California.

            Later, they arrived at the building in Los Angeles where the district attorney, Hamilton Burger, held his office.  They entered the building and took the elevator to the floor where Burger's office was.  They went into the outer office.  To Burger's receptionist, Mason said, "Please inform Mr. Burger, ma'am, that Mr. Mason and his young friends are here to see him."

            "Yes, sir, Mr. Mason," the receptionist said.  She did as he had requested.

            In the private office, Mr. Burger picked up his phone.  "Yes? . . . Oh!  Send them in."  In came Perry, Kevin, and Michael.  "Hello, Perry.  Hello, Kevin and Michael."

            "Hello, Hamilton," Mason said.  "We just dropped in to say hello."

            "Well, if you wanted to chat, you picked a good day to come over.  I'm doing nothing much today except for giving some people instructions here.  The cases are being handled by my subordinates today.  Would you like some tea?"

            "No, thank you, Mr. Burger," Kevin said.

            "No, thank you," said Michael.

            "No, thanks, Hamilton," Mason said.

            * * *

            Control Room, Metroid, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy.

            The malicious MotherBrain was watching this on her monitor.  "So, this is the video-game wiz you told me about, hm?" she asked.

            Eggplant Wizard responded, "Yes, MotherBrain.  The older kid, though the younger is just about as good."

            "Hmm.  If Princess Lana is desperate enough, the Power Glove will tell her of that danged prophecy, and it'll open the Ultimate Warp Zone and draw in the best game player on Earth.  If this happens, that older guy will be the one whom the Ultimate Warp will pick?"

            "Right, MotherBrain.  You should see what he and his brother can do to you in the game Metroid!"

            "Pipe down!  It's time to get dangerous!  Hee, hee, hee!  And now that I have made that shrimpy princess's father, King Charles, disappear, it'll only be a matter of time before the Ultimate Warp Zone opens to get the best Earth has to offer, a year and a half later at most.  If he is the one, we must intervene.  I know the key, too. . . those friends of his, his brother's, and Perry Mason's!  Hee, hee, hee!  Get Dr. Wily in here, King Hippo!  He can take a break from trying to destroy MegaMan."

            "Roger, Your Beautifulness!" King Hippo said ingratiatingly.  He left through the warp to Skull Castle, which was on MegaLand.

            "Eggplant Wizard, let's spy on that putrid little Princess Lana."

            "Right, MotherBrain!" Eggplant Wizard said.  He pressed a button on the monitor.  The screen changed to show the throne room of the Palace of Power, where the quite beautiful Princess Lana, the exceedingly vain Simon Belmont, the super-powerful MegaMan, and the highly faithful Kid Icarus were talking.

            Very distressed, Lana said, "Oh, Simon, this war is terrible!"

            Seeming quite unconcerned, Simon replied, "Yes.  Is it not, though?"

            "And MotherBrain is winning it!"

            "That is truly terrible."

            "I feel that, by September next year, our forces will have weakened badly."

            "Now that MotherBrain has captured the king and sent him away," MegaMan said, greatly concerned since he had emotion-circuitry, "we are vulnerable to almost any attack."

            MotherBrain said, "Mmm, mmm, mmm!  Isn't that just too bad?"  She turned to Eggplant Wizard.  "Eggplant Wizard, I have a job for you."

            Eggplant Wizard said, "Anything you desire, my sweet potato."  He bowed ingratiatingly.

            "Oh, stand up, you fool!  I want you to go to the Palace, kidnap Princess Lana, and bring her to me."

            "Yes, Your Sugar-Beet-ness."  He left through a warp to the Palace of Power.

            "I hope for his sake that he does this correctly.  If he doesn't, I shall fry him up so badly that anyone could stick a fork through him without effort."  She turned to a picture of King Bowser Koopa.  "I wonder how King Koopa is doing against that putrid Princess Peach Toadstool."  She smiled deviously and laughed quietly at what had turned him and his family into villains.  She had had quite a tentacle in that. . .

            * * *

            Throne Room, Palace of Power, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy.

            Something bleeped on Kid Icarus's computer.  "Uh, oh!  Your High-nicus, there is an intruder in the Palace!"

            Lana gasped.  "Simon, please find and extricate him!"

            "Whatever you say, Your Cuteness," said Simon.  He kissed her hand and then left the room.

            "-Sigh.-  Kid Icarus, I'm tempted to get disinfectant."  This amused both her and Kid Icarus and alleviated some of their tension.

            However, in a moment, Simon came back in the room as a squash!  "It's Eggplant Wizard!  He turned me into a squash before I could do anything!"  In came Eggplant Wizard.

            "Yes," said the wizard, "and now I have you, Princess Lana!  Follow me to MotherBrain!"

            Kid Icarus flew in between Eggplant and Lana.  "You'll have to get by me first-icus, Eggplant Wizard!"  Before Kid Icarus could shoot any arrows at Eggplant Wizard, though, the vegetable sorcerer transformed him into an eggplant!  "Yaah!  I have eggplant-icus on my face!"

            MegaMan entered.  "All right, you mega-rat!  Deal with me!"

            "Oh, yeah?" said Eggplant Wizard defiantly.  "You are in a pickle now!"  The magician of produce turned MegaMan into a pickle.  "Quite literally!  Ha, ha, ha!  The effects of the vegetables will wear off after I get Princess Pea-pod back home to Big MamaBrain!"  He turned Princess Lana into a pea-pod, grabbed her, and warped to Metroid with her.

            * * *

            Control Room, Tourian, Metroid, VideoLand.

            MotherBrain heard the warp from the Palace of Power open.  "I guess that you failed again!" she snapped, expecting to see Eggplant Wizard empty-handed.

            "Oh, yeah?" asked Eggplant Wizard.  MotherBrain turned to him as he was turning Princess Lana back to normal.  "Do you call this having failed?"

            "Ooh!  Hee, hee, hee!  Well, Princess, it looks as though I have you now!"

            "You will never get away with this!" Lana vowed.  "The N-Team will save me."

            "Certainly, Princess. . . just like they rescued your father!  Ha, ha, ha!"  In warped Dr. Wily and King Hippo.

            "Unbelievable!" exclaimed Dr. Wily.  "Did this idiotic vegetable actually kidnap Lana all by himself?"

            "Yes, Wily.  Now, I want you to knock out the Ultimate Warp Zone before it drags in that kid whom Hippo, Eggplant, and I saw earlier with those lawyer pals of his.  Ha, ha, ha!"

            "The Ultimate Warp Zone will bring the hero who will save VideoLand from you, you evil brain," announced Lana defiantly.

            "Not after I eliminate the person whom it will bring into VideoLand, Princess Lana.  King Bowser and Prince Ludwig are going to love hearing how I personally got you!  Ha, ha, ha!"

            "You personally!?" demanded Eggplant Wizard.  "But I. . ."

            "But what?!?" MotherBrain shouted irately.

            "Oh, ah, nothing, Your Super-Smartness!"

            * * *

            Throne Room, Palace of Power, VideoLand.

            Back at the Palace, the N-Team transformed back to normal.  "Whew!" said Simon.  "Boy, am I glad that I'm not a vegetable anymore!"

            "Hurry-us maximus!" exclaimed Kid Icarus.  "We have to save the Princess-icus from MotherBrain before it's too late!"

            "Not so fast," Simon said.  "As the highest ranking officer of Her Highness's court - not to mention, her dearest friend - I shall give the orders.  Well, what are we waiting for?  Let's get to Metroid and save Princess Lana from MotherBrain!"  They warped to the brain-shaped world.

            * * *

            Tourian, Metroid, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy.

            Simon led the other two through a tunnel in Metroid into which they had warped.  "This is the way to MotherBrain's lair," said Simon very, very unsurely.  "I'm sure of it."

            "What if it's not?" MegaMan asked.

            "Have confidence in me.  I'll get us through."

            Kid Icarus whispered to MegaMan, "Yeah.  We probably will be through with by the time we reach MotherBrain's chamber."  They reached it shortly, believe it or not, and without much incident.

            When they arrived, Simon commanded, "Unhand the Princess, you vile villains!"

            MotherBrain said, "It's the N-Team!  Stop them!"

            "My pleasure!" Eggplant Wizard said.  Before the wizard could toss vegetables, Kid Icarus blasted him with an anti-vegetable arrow.  "Noooo. . .!"

            "I'll give them the punch-line!" said King Hippo.

            "No way, Hippo!" Simon said.  He whipped the whip so that it would wrap around King Hippo.  Simon then yanked the rope, and King Hippo spun out!

            "Whoa. . .!"

            Dr. Wily gasped.  "Okay, mega-midget!  Try to fix me!"

            "All right, Wily," said MegaMan.  He blasted Wily into the warp to Skull Castle with a BombPower Bomb.

            "Yaah!" cried Wily, being propelled through the warp.  The warp closed once he was through.

            "See, MotherBrain?" Lana said.  "I told you that the N-Team would rescue me."

            "Why, you!" snapped MotherBrain.  "I'll destroy you all!"

            MegaMan suggested, "Let's get out of here before she does something!"

            "Good idea!" Lana said.  They quickly warped to the Palace.

            MotherBrain demanded, "Why do they always have to escape my evil clutches?"  Bashing her face against the front of the jar, she continued, "Why?  Why?  Why?"  After she stopped, she realised something.  "Ooh!  I nearly forgot about those boys."  She pressed a button on her monitor with a tentacle.  The screen changed to a view of Perry Mason's office.  Kevin, Michael, Perry, Della Street, Paul Drake, Hamilton, Lieutenant Tragg, and Lieutenant Anderson were in the office.

            * * *

            Perry Mason's Office, Los Angeles, California, America, 20th-Century Earth, VideoLand.

            Della said, "I'm glad to hear that you guys are doing all right, Kevin and Michael."

            "Thank you, Miss Street," Kevin said.

            "I read something quite interesting in the newspaper this morning," said Tragg.  "It seems that the two plumbers who one the Plumbers of the Year Award in Brooklyn, New York, New York are here visiting L.A. this week.  I've been intrigued, for some reason.  I'd like to see them."

            "If you want," Lieutenant Anderson said, "you can visit them, Tragg.  I'll take care of the homicide department while you do."

            "Thanks, Andy.  If you will excuse me, Perry."

            "Go right ahead, Tragg," Mason said.

            * * *

            Control Room, Metroid.

            MotherBrain said, "Plumbers, huh?  What significance have they?"

            "I wouldn't know," said Eggplant Wizard.

            "I didn't ask you, feeble-minded fool.  Plumbers. . . pipes. . . ha!  In the Mushroom World, they use pipes as warps.  Who knows. . . maybe these plumbers are destined to fall down a drain and pummel Bowser.  But that's not our concern immediately.  We'd best keep our eyes on these Keene fellows."

            * * *

            Kevin's Home, Northridge, California, 20th-Century Earth, VideoLand.

            Later that afternoon, at around five, Perry returned Kevin and Michael to their home.  Kevin said, "Thanks for the trip, Mr. Mason."

            "Yeah, thank you," said Michael.

            Mason said, "Any time, guys.  Tell your parents I said hello."

            "Certainly," Kevin said.  "Thank you, again."  Perry stayed as the boys walked down the sidewalk.  They saw something.

            Michael snapped, "What in the. . . Mr. Mason!  Come quick!"

            Perry switched off the car, got out, and went over to the brothers.  "What is it?" he asked.

            Kevin pointed.  "Someone's dead in our yard!"  Perry ran up.

            "I see," he said.  "Get in there, Kevin, and tell your parents.  Have 'em call Andy, Della, and Paul.  You got that?"

            "Yes, sir," said Kevin.  He ran inside.  Moments later, Kevin and his father, Ned, ran out while Kevin's mother, Cheryl, stayed within to call the police.

            Ned asked, "How long has he been lying there, Perry?"

            "I don't know."

            "Mom is calling Lieutenant Anderson," said Kevin.

            About twenty minutes later, Lieutenant Anderson, Hamilton, Della, and Paul pulled up in Paul's car.  "Hello, everyone," said Perry.

            "We came out as soon as Cheryl called," Hamilton Burger said.  Cheryl came outside.

            Lieutenant Anderson examined the body.  "I would need an autopsy report to be exactly sure," he said, "but I would say that this body has been lying here for about an hour.  I called Lieutenant Tragg before we left."

            Tragg pulled up in his car and got out.  "Hello, everyone," Tragg said.  "Oh, dear!  Does any of you know who this is?"

            "Yes," said Kevin.  "He was someone on my paper route."

            "Hmm," Perry said.

            "I have no warrants," said Tragg, "but, Kevin and Michael, I would like you and your parents to come to the county station in L.A.  We may have to ask you some questions."

            * * *

            Control Room, Metroid, VideoLand.

            The rotten MotherBrain was watching.  "Hee, hee, hee!  Murder has been committed!  We shall somehow have to make it look like this Kevin did it."

            "Right, MotherBrain," Eggplant Wizard said.

            * * *

            Kevin's Home.

            Andy said, "It appears that death was caused by a wound caused by a strange object."

            Duke came up.  "Duke!" Kevin exclaimed.  "What happened?"  The dog barked rapidly.  "Slow down, boy.  Take it easy."

            "Too bad Duke is the only witness at this point," said Hamilton.  "If he could testify in court as to what happened, we could find out what really happened.

            Perry said, "Kevin and Michael can understand what Duke is trying to say most of the time.  Kevin taught me how to understand how Duke 'speaks,' as it were."  He turned to the parents.  "Do you know anything?"

            "Nothing," said Cheryl.  "We've been inside the whole time.  We heard nothing."

            * * *

            Police Headquarters, Los Angeles, California.

            Everyone who had been in the Keenes' front yard was now in police headquarters in downtown Los Angeles.  Tragg said, "Andy is with the doctor who is performing the autopsy.  We should get the results back soon."  In came Andy with the autopsy report.

            Andy said, "I have it, Tragg.  The report says that death was caused by stabbing in the neck with, strangely enough, a key."

            A key? thought Kevin.  What kind of ridiculous murder weapon would a key be?  He searched his left pocket, then his right pocket.  "Uh, wait a minute.  My house key is missing!"

            Andy showed the key in a plastic bag.  "Is this it, Kevin?"

            Kevin examined it.  "Yes, that is my key!  But I don't understand!  I put it in my pocket this morning and kept it in there all afternoon!  When is the approximate time of death?"

            "According to the report," Andy said, "the approximate time of death was noon."

            Perry said, "That's before I got to your house today, Kevin."

            "That's before we got home from work, too," Cheryl said.

            "He goes on his paper route at eleven thirty, so I'm no use as an alibi either," said Michael.  "I can't account for his presence at twelve.  Lieutenant, how can you believe my brother committed the murder?"

            Anderson said, "I don't want to believe it, Michael, but we cannot ignore the evidence."

            * * *

            Control Room, Metroid.

            MotherBrain was still watching.  "Who did it?" she asked.

            "I don't know," said Eggplant Wizard.

            "I was not addressing you, Eggy."

            Dr. Wily's voice sounded over the communication channel.  "I did it, MB!"

            "You, Dr. Wily?"

            "Yes.  I knew the threat of that boy's being in VideoLand, so I stole his key with special gloves that left his fingerprints on it, killed the person, and had my robotic lovelies drag that person to that kid's yard.  Ha, ha!  Best of all, the only one who really knows what happened is that mangy mutt of that kid's.  I transported that guy's body into that kid's yard after he, his bro, and that lawyer pal of his left."

            "Hee, hee, hee!" laughed MotherBrain.  "Excellent, Dr. Wily."

            * * *

            Police Headquarters, Los Angeles, California.

            Kevin compared the fingerprints on the key, which was under a microscope, to Tragg's fingerprint sample of him.  "Hm," Kevin said grimly.  "Those are my fingerprints all over the key, all right.  I've learned about points of comparison."

            Tragg said, "Kevin, I didn't tell you this before, but I now have a warrant for one of your parents' arrest for your possible second degree murder of this person."

            "No, Lieutenant," Kevin said bravely yet gravely.  "If it is believed that I committed this crime, you should arrest me instead of either of my parents.  I don't want one of them sent to the chair or the chamber for something you thought I did."

            "You are a minor, Kevin."

            "I don't care if I'm still in the womb, Lieutenant!  If you think that I did it, arrest me!  I'd rather die than have one or both of my parents tried for something that you thought that I did, even if I didn't do it.  I know what I'm doing!"

            "All right, Kevin," Anderson said.  "Calm down.  Tragg, I think he's right.  I'm sorry that we have to do this, Kevin, but we must."

            "Lead the way, Lieutenant Anderson."  Anderson led Kevin to the cleanest cell.

            "This is our cleanest and safest cell, Kevin.  We shouldn't show preferential treatment, but. . . well."

            "Thanks, Lieutenant."  When Kevin entered, Anderson closed the door.

            "The grand jury will decide tomorrow if there's enough evidence to put you on trial, Kevin."

            "Could you please ask Mr. Mason to come over here?"

            "I shall, Kevin," said Anderson.  He went over to Mason.  "Perry, Kevin wants to see you."

            "Okay, Andy," Mason said.  "Lead the way."

            "That sounds awfully familiar," the lieutenant quietly mused.  Kevin's parents, his brother, Perry, Della, Paul, and Hamilton followed Anderson to Kevin's cell.

            "I'm here, Kevin," Mason said.  "What do you want to see me about?"

            "Mr. Mason, could you please represent me?" asked Kevin.  "You're the best lawyer I know of.  I don't know how I'll pay you, but we'll take care of that."

            "Consider it done, Kevin," Mason said.  "No fee this time."

            "Is that it?" asked Ned.  "No retainer?"

            "I know when a person is not capable of such murder, Ned," Mason said, "and I can tell that your son is not one.  The reason for which I will not charge anything is because you are my friends."

            Hamilton Burger sighed.  "Good luck, Perry," he said.  "I'm sorry to say that you're going to need it.  Though I'm a friend of his, I must prosecute.  My deputy D.A.'s who handle murders are all busy.  I'll see you in court."

            Mason said, "All right, Hamilton."  Burger left.

            "Mr. Mason, do you really think I'm innocent?" asked Kevin.

            "Of course I do, Kevin.  I have a question, though."

            "Fire away."

            "What kind of attitude did the gentleman take toward you?"

            "He was a nice person.  He always gave me a handsome tip as appreciation, too, when he paid for the papers.  So I think it's strange that they think I have a motive!"

            "Okay, Kevin.  I'll go around asking questions."  He turned to Kevin's parents and brother.  "Would you mind being in court during the preliminary hearing and the trial?"

            "Of course not, Perry," Cheryl said.  "We'll be there."

            "Michael," Kevin said, "please pat Duke for me."

            "Of course, brother," said Michael.  "We'll see you later."

            "See you later," Kevin said.  The brothers' parents and Michael left.

            Perry said, "Della, I want you to copy down for me a list of translations."

            "For what?" asked Della.

            "For translating what Duke says in court."

            "What?"

            "Mr. Mason can 'translate' what Duke says as well as Michael or I can, Miss Street," Kevin said.  "If you follow his instructions, the court will be able to understand, too."

            "Okay," said Della.

            Perry turned to Paul.  "Paul, I want you to check around town and find out about the murder.  I think the murderer killed the man around noon and dragged the man into Kevin's yard when he, Michael, and I were gone.  Duke was sure to have seen the man; he sure acts that way."

            "Okay, Perry," said Paul.  "You want me to check around the man's home and find out if anyone saw the murder or the murderer?"

            "Right on the button," Perry said.  "We have to leave now, Kevin.  Just stay brave.  Are you sure that you'll be fine?"

            "I'll have Sergeant Brice guard his safety, Perry," said Andy.

            "Okay, Andy.  See you later, Kevin."

            "See you later, Mr. Mason," Kevin said.  Perry, Della, and Paul left.

            * * *

            Perry Mason's Office, Los Angeles.

            Della was writing what Mason was telling her to write.  "All right," she said.  "Now what else?"  Someone knocked on the private door.  Perry got up, went over, and opened it.  Paul entered.

            "Hello, Paul," said Perry.  "What did you find out?"

            "The only thing that I found out," Paul said, "was that no one was outside at the time of the murder.  Besides Kevin's dog, no inhabitants other than the victim saw the murderer.  It seems they all were surprised that anyone would kill that man and that Kevin would be a suspect!"

            "So," said Perry, "that means that having Duke on the stand to testify could mean life or death for Kevin, as all the circumstantial evidence against him could be interpreted as quite a strong foundation."

            Della asked, "Do you want me to call Kevin's parents, Perry?"

            "Yes, Della.  Ask them to bring Duke to the court."

            "Okay, Perry."  She dialled the phone.  "Hello.  This is Della Street. . . . Yes, Perry would like you to bring Duke to the courtroom. . . . That's right.  Put his standard dog collar on him with all his tags. . . . Yes.  Thank you."  She hung up.  "They will bring him."

            "Okay.  Let's get busy, Della.  We still have a lot more doggie-lingo to get down."

            * * *

            Courtroom, Courthouse, Los Angeles.  June 17, 1988.

            Two days later, in the courtroom, the preliminary hearing against Kevin began.  Hamilton Burger stood.  "The State of California charges the defendant, Kevin Keene, with second-degree murder.  Though he is a minor, he has asked that, since he was accused of the crime, he be tried instead of his parents, and his parents agreed.  Now, counsellor, we would like to hear defence's plea."

            Mason stood.  "The defence pleads not guilty, Your Honour."  He sat back down.

            "The prosecution has a very small, though prima facie, case for the preliminary hearing.  For my first witness, I would like to call Lieutenant Tragg to the stand."

            * * *

            "Yes, the implement that caused death was an ordinary house key," said Lt. Tragg, who was currently occupying the witness stand.

            "Now," asked Burger, "approximately when was the time of death?"

            "The time of death was fixed to be approximately twelve noon."

            "Thank you, Lieutenant Tragg.  Your witness, Mr. Mason."

            "No questions," Perry said.

            "You may step down, Lieutenant Tragg," the judge said.  Tragg did so.  "You may call your next witness, Mr. Prosecutor."

            Hamilton said, "The State calls Lieutenant Anderson to the stand."  Lieutenant Anderson went up to the stand.

            The bailiff said, "Raise your right hand."  The bailiff and the lieutenant both raised their right hands.  "Do you swear that the testimony you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"

            "I do," said Anderson.

            "Please state your name and occupation."

            "My name is Andy Anderson.  My occupation is Lieutenant of the Homicide Squad of the Los Angeles Police Department."

            "You may be seated."  Andy sat on the stand.

            Hamilton asked, "Now, Lieutenant Anderson, what was the blood type of the deceased?"

            "The blood type of the deceased was type O negative," said Anderson.

            "And what was the blood type on the key?" asked Hamilton.

            "I object," said Mason, standing.  "It is superfluous, since the blood type on the key obviously was that of the deceased."

            "The defendant's blood could have been on the key," Burger said.

            "That's an awkward point in this case.  No abrasions whatsoever were found on any exposed part of the defendant's body, not even so much as a paper cut.  This was testified to by Lieutenant Tragg."

            Reluctantly, Burger conceded, "All right.  I withdraw the question.  Now, Lieutenant, whose fingerprints were on that key?"

            "The fingerprints of the defendant were found on the key, Mr. Burger," Anderson responded.

            "Let me introduce into evidence this ordinary house key which the defendant admitted was his."

            Perry quietly asked, "How could you lose that key, Kevin?"

            Frankly, Kevin responded, "It must have fallen out of my pocket while I was riding my bicycle and doing my paper route that day."

            * * *

            Control Room, Metroid.

            MotherBrain was once more watching.  MotherBrain said, "Aha!  I knew that he could lose that key."

            Dr. Wily contacted her.  "MotherBrain," said the mad scientist, "that's how I stole the key!  It slipped out of his pocket on the sidewalk as he delivered a paper, and I recovered it.  I'm at this hearing.  I knew that you'd be watching, too."

            "Good work, Wily."

            * * *

            Courtroom, Courthouse, Los Angeles.

            "Thank you, Lieutenant Anderson," said Burger.  "Oh!  I do have one more question.  In police headquarters, did the defendant say that he had lost the key?"

            "No, Mr. Burger," Anderson said.

            "Your witness, Mr. Mason."

            "No questions," Mason said.

            Burger said, "Your Honour, as I said before, my case is small but complete.  It proves that there was a crime and that the defendant can be linked to the commission of the crime.  I move that the defendant be bound over for jury trial in superior court."

            The judge asked, "Mr. Mason, does defence wish to present a case at this time?"

            "Your Honour," said Mason, "if the court please, I would like to present a defence at this time.  Like the prosecutor's case, mine is somewhat short.  My client has told me something.  If there be no objections, I should like to call him to the stand.  In a short while, I shall also perform a 'stunt' that could be considered objectionable. . . calling the defendant's dog, Duke, to the stand."

            Burger stood.  "The defence is correct that it's objectionable!  Your Honour, how can a dog testify?"

            "I know his language," Mason said.  "I asked my secretary to copy a translation of Duke's language on a sheet of paper.  Does the prosecution wish to see the paper?"

            "All right," said Burger.  Della handed the paper to Mason, who handed it to Burger.  "Okay.  I have no objections to this.  I stipulate that a dog cannot lie."

            "Thank you, Mr. Burger," said Mason.  "I call my client, Master Kevin Keene, to the stand."  Kevin got up and went over to the stand.

            The bailiff said, "Please raise your right hand."  Kevin and the bailiff did so.  "Do you swear that the testimony you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"

            "Yes, I do," Kevin said.

            "Please state your full name."

            "Kevin Keene."

            "You may be seated."

            Kevin sat on the stand.  Mason asked, "Now, what do you remember of the morning before the murder?"

            "Well, Mr. Mason," Kevin said, "I was doing what I normally do. . . including delivering on my paper route.  The time interval for that overlaps the late morning and the early afternoon.  Somewhere along the way, I lost my house key."

            Mason went over and picked up the clear plastic bag containing the key.  "Is this your house key?"

            "Yes, it is.  As I was saying, somewhere along the way, I lost it.  I found out that I had after I felt in my pocket in the police station downtown.  I was surprised when Lieutenant Anderson showed it to me in that same plastic bag that you are holding."

            "Thank you.  Your witness, Mr. Burger."

            Mason sat down, and Burger got up.  "When you lost your key," asked Burger, "could someone have picked it up, stabbed the deceased with it, dragged the body to your yard, and left it there?  I mean, do you consider this, even a remote possibility?"

            "Yes, it is possible," Kevin said.

            "Thank you.  That's all."

            "Wait a minute," said Mason.  "I would like the court to examine this key.  Even though it looks under a magnifying glass like his fingerprints are on it, you'd better take a closer look at it.  I submit that the defendant's fingerprints are smeared a little too badly to be smeared by this bag."

            The judge said, "I see.  Have you any re-direct questions, Mr. Mason?"

            "No, Your Honour.  I would now like to call his brother, Mr. Michael Keene, along with their dog, Duke."

            "Very well," said the judge.  "Mr. Keene, you are dismissed from the stand."  Kevin went back and sat back in his defendant's set.  Michael got up, left the courtroom, and returned with Duke.  The dog growled for a short time at Dr. Wily in his disguise.

            Michael brought Duke to the witness-attorney area.  "Would you like me to testify, sir?" Michael asked.

            "Yes," Mason said.  "I'll hold on to Duke."  He took the leash as Michael went over to the stand.  The young Michael felt quite nervous about having to testify, but he forced himself not to look or sound that way.

            The bailiff came over to him.  "Please raise your right hand."  Michael raised his right hand.  "Do you swear that the testimony that you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"

            "I do, sir," Michael said.

            "Please state your full name for the record."

            "Michael Andrew Keene."

            "Please be seated."  Michael took his seat on the stand.

            Mason went over to Michael.  "Now, Michael," asked Mason, "you understand your rights and what you have to answer, don't you?"

            "Yes, I do, Mr. Mason," answered Michael.

            "Good.  Now, what do you know about your brother?"

            "Just about everything, I think.  And I happen to know some things about him that very few people would be willing to admit to anyone else, especially not their younger siblings."

            "Did he ever say anything about anyone on his paper route?"

            "He told me that everyone along his route was nice to him and that he got generous tips from a particular one."

            "And who was this particular one, Michael?  Did he tell you?"

            "Absolutely.  It was the victim, Mr. Mason."

            "Well, this path of events seems illogical to me.  In fact, did you get the impression that he had a reason to be angry with anyone along the route?"

            "No, sir.  He told me most directly, in fact, that he liked everyone along the route."

            "I thank you, Michael.  Your witness, Mr. Burger."

            Burger stood.  "Michael, when did the defendant tell you this?"

            "He's been saying it directly continually over the past few weeks.  Last time he said that was the fourteenth of this month, I believe."

            "I see.  What sort of relationship do you have with him?  And, before the defence attorney objects, I state that I intend to show bias."

            "Proceed," the judge said.

            "He's my best friend, Mr. Burger," said Michael.  "I may be biased in his favour, but I've sworn to tell the truth, sir."

            "Of your own knowledge, does he consider you his best friend?"

            "Yes, sir."

            "Of your own knowledge, did he have any reason to be angry with anyone on the day of the murder?"

            "No, he didn't, sir."

            "None at all?"  Michael thought some, then decisively and honestly shook his head.

            "No, Mr. Burger.  He was really in a great mood that morning.  And I was with him since he got up.  He isn't given to any sort of mood swings."

            "Surely, there must have been somebody that. . ."

            Mason stood.  "I object, Your Honour," he said.  "Asked and answered.  The witness has already stated twice that the defendant was not angry with anyone.  I see no reason for prosecution to persist with this question."

            "I agree with Mr. Mason," said the judge.  "Does prosecution have a reason I should not sustain the objection?"

            "I withdraw the question, Your Honour," Mr. Burger said.  "No further questions."  He sat down.

            "No questions on re-direct," said Perry Mason.

            "The witness may be excused," the judge said.

            Mason had stayed standing.  "At this time, I wish to call Duke, this dog.  Michael, please manage him."

            "Certainly, sir," Michael said.  He stepped down and took Duke's leash from Mason.

            "Please take him to sit in front of the stand."  Michael took him there.  He instructed Duke to sit in front of the stand.

            "This is the translation sheet," said Mason, taking the sheet and handing it to the court reporter.  "Can you understand it?"

            "Yes," the reporter said.

            "One moment," the judge said.  "How reliable is this sheet?"

            "It is satisfactorily reliable, Your Honour," said Mason.  "Michael and Kevin, respectively the previous witness and the defendant, both understand Duke and taught me how to understand him about five months ago.  With the assistance of Miss Street, I have created this translation guide.  We have tested it."

            "Very well.  One more thing.  Can he swear an oath?"

            "Yes, Your Honour.  He understands spoken English."

            The bailiff went over to Duke and rose his right hand.  "Ah. . . please raise your right, front paw."  Duke did so.  "Do you swear that the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"

            Duke barked twice.  The court reporter said, "Exact translation:  'I do, sir.' "  The bailiff returned to his seat.

            "Now, since I understand Duke, I shall ask questions successively," Mason said.  "After I have completed my examination, I should like the court reporter to read back the translated testimony.  I only anticipate one question, though."

            "Very well," said the judge.

            "Duke, could you slowly relate to us what you saw between when I left with Kevin and Michael and when I brought them back home that day?"  Duke made several barks in his code.  "Thank you.  I think this should. . . hmm."

            "Sir," the reporter said, "something's not on here.  I've translated the rest and left what I didn't find blank."

            "I know.  Please read back from my question and skip over the blank spot.  Michael is still under oath, so he'll tell us what it is."

            The reporter read, "Question - 'Duke, could you slowly relate to us what you saw between when I left with Kevin and Michael and when I brought them back home that day?'

            "Answer - 'I saw a weird-looking man bring the body of the dead person to our house at around a quarter past four that afternoon.  I know this, because I saw the clock across the street, and the small hand was between four and five, and the long hand was near the three.  He had blank and a blank.  He had some mechanical things that carried the body for him.  I was about to fight him when he pulled out some blank sort of gun and fired a warning shot.  I got scared and ran to my doghouse.  I growled at him when Michael brought me in here.'  That's all."

            "Michael," Mason asked, "would you fill in the blanks?"

            "Sure," Michael said.  "Quote:  'He had grey, frazzled hair and a frazzled, grey beard.  I was about to fight him when he pulled out some nasty-looking sort of gun and fired a warning shot.'  Mind if I ask him something?"

            "No," Mason said.

            "No objection," said Burger.

            "Duke, did you get a real close look at the guy?" Michael asked.  Duke barked his response.  "He did," Michael said.  "He says, 'The guy's so odd-looking and odd-smelling I'd recognise him in a million years.'  Exact translation."

            "Thanks, Michael," said Mason.  He turned to the spectators.  "Will the person at whom Duke growled please stand up?"  No one stood.  "Your Honour?"

            Quite convinced, the judge said, "Unless this person stands, I shall permit the canine witness to freely point out the one at whom he growled.  I suggest that the person stand.  I am a dog-owner myself, and I know that dogs can be particularly nasty to people they hate or dislike."

            Dr. Wily stood, still in disguise.  "Very well, Your Honour.  I admit that I committed the act and framed the defendant.  I wanted him convicted so that he would stay out of my way forever."

            Mason asked, "Who are you?"

            Dr. Wily threw off his disguise.  "My name is Doctor Jerome Wily of the cybernetic sciences."

            Kevin stood.  "May I speak, Your Honour?"

            "Yes, Mr. Keene," the judge said.

            "You, sir, look like Dr. Wily in MegaMan!"

            "I am," Wily stood, "and it is time that I warped out of here."  He made a warp.  "So long, suckers!"  He had warped back to Metroid before anyone could follow.

            Burger said, "Considering this, Your Honour, I move that all charges be dismissed."  He did not want innocent parties put in jail, no matter what.

            "No objections," said Mason.

            "Motion granted," the judge said.  He used his gavel.  "Court is adjourned."  Everyone stood.  He then left.

            "Thank you, Mr. Mason!" said Kevin.  "You did it!"

            "No, we did it, Kevin.  Your dog sniffed out the murderer.  Who is Dr. Wily, anyway?" Mason asked.

            "He's the villain of the MegaMan game," Michael said.  "He's a mad scientist set on world domination."

            "I wonder how he managed this," said Kevin.  "Heck, I didn't know he ever really existed!  Why was he concerned about me?"

            "I knew you weren't guilty, Kevin," Burger said.  "How about lunch, everybody?  I'll pay."

            "No, thanks," Tragg said.  "I'd like to meet the Mario Brothers before they leave."

            "I'll bite, Hamilton," Mason said.  "And you, Della?"

            "Sure, Perry," said Della.

            "I'll take some lunch," Paul said.

            "Me, too," said Anderson.

            "We'll sure go," Michael and Kevin said.

            "All right, let's go," said Cheryl.

            "Sure," said Ned.

            * * *

            Later, the Mario Brothers were coming out of their hotel, one of the fanciest and most expensive in the city of Los Angeles.  "It's nice to live in style, eh, Luigi?" Mario asked.

            Luigi said, "You said it, Mario.  I like all the moolah and the travelling - and, possibly, the fame - that came with the Plumbers of the Year award!"

            "Me, too, brother."  Little did they know that they would soon drop down a warp pipe and wind up in Bowser Koopa's hair.

            Lieutenant Tragg approached them.  "Hello.  Are you the Mario Brothers?"

            "That's us, sir.  'You clog 'em, we clear 'em' is our saying.  How can we help you?"

            "I have been wanting to meet you.  My name is Lieutenant Arthur Tragg."  Tragg shook hands with each of them.

            "We always like to meet new friends," Luigi said.  "Of course, I hope you're not here to arrest us!"

            "No, no.  I'm a homicide detective.  But, if you ever get into trouble and I can help, you can look me up.  I work at the police department here."  He handed a card to Mario.  "My address is on here."

            "Thank you, Lieutenant," Mario said.

            "Welcome to Los Angeles."

            "Thank you," said Luigi.  He handed a card to Luigi.  "Here is our address and phone number."

            "Thank you," Tragg said.  "I'm certain we can keep in correspondence."

            "Yes.  It was a pleasure meeting you, Lieutenant Tragg," Mario said.

            "It was a pleasure meeting you, guys.  Have a good stay."

            * * *

            Control Room, Tourian, Metroid, VideoLand.

            MotherBrain was irritated.  "I expect sincerely that this did not turn out according to your plan, Wily."

            "It didn't!" Wily snapped.  "I didn't know that stupid mutt could speak intelligibly.  If I had, I'd have been more careful, drat it."

            "Darn.  This means that the boy will be drawn into VideoLand. . . and that he'll already have a bone to pick with you."

            "That dratted dog.  I wish I'd just fried him on sight.  Of course, that would have been evidence of my presence."

            "We'd best keep our eyes on Kevin Keene," said MotherBrain.  "Are you sure he's good?"

            "We aren't talking merely good," Wily said.  "He has won every single video game contest that he was in since he was eight, except that he has lost two times to Michael.  Michael has the same track record, except that he has lost to Kevin almost every time.  Those two are the best on Earth, and Kevin's better than his younger brother.  They contend the fiercest against each other."

            "If matters turn bad," MotherBrain said, "then I could possibly bring Michael out here and use him to my advantage?"

            "Maybe, MotherBrain.  I suggest it only for a clever, underhanded scheme or as a last resort, though.  From what I've seen, they care very deeply for one another.  I've only witnessed that strong a bond in the Thunderian twins you've told me to study."

            "I see.  Meanwhile, how will we find Michael Keene if we need him?"

            "Easy.  I have had a small homing device implant itself in him.  I'll be able to find him and create a warp to him from far away and from any point of time in the future from any point in time that he occupies from now on."

            "Ah!  Very good.  At any time, we can pull him, then, from any moment of his life to where we happen to be."

            "Precisely."

            "Very well.  It's about time to bring the next assault against the Palace of Power, Wily."

            "Certainly, MotherBrain.  I shall bring my androids."  He went through the warp to his Skull Castle.

            MotherBrain laughed wickedly.  "Princess Lana," she said, "I'll get you yet!"