AND JUST LIKE THAT: You get down there all early. You park. You go through “security.” You get checked in. You sit next to a guy picking his ear. You fight for access to an outlet. You get settled in. You start getting some work done.

And then they release you. Democracy! Proud to serve.

And while I was waiting, I made the little “scales of justice” doodad up above. While I was thinking about our incredible, flawed, fascinating justice system.