"Well, you must admit it's a pretty contemptible court," Toffee said. "Nothing personal, judge, but...."
"Silence!" the judge cried. "Don't say another word or I may have to send myself up for murder! I...." The rest was lost in a fit of coughing.
Quickly, a triumphant gleam in her eye, Toffee reached to the water pitcher at the side of the bench, emptied the elixir into it and poured a draft for the judge.
"Here, judge," she said, "pull yourself together."
The judge drained the glass and, closing his eyes, leaned back in his chair. Through the ensuing silence, Toffee returned to Marc's side.
"His honor may see things a little differently now," she mused.
"Why should he?" Marc said angrily. "All you've done is insult him."
"I also fed him the elixir."
"You—you gave him that!"
"In the water," Toffee nodded. "I hope it works."