Judgement Day Pale Fire Journal Judgement Day Pale Fire Journal | Page 48

result in being obsessed with and stalking those around him.
The Court: Does the defense wish to ask any questions to the prosecu-
tion?
Public Defender: Yes. I would like to refer to the passage that the District
Attorney read aloud briefly ago. I believe that a bold claim was just made
by interpreting that quote as coming from a stalker. To me, it seemed as
though a man was describing a dear friend posthumously, and that he was
a great fan of his work. How could you possibly claim his comments are
that of a stalker, and not simply from a fan?
District Attorney: The language he uses tells us all we need to
know about the nature of their relationship! He mentions how angry he
feels when others “[took] Shade for granted,” when others don’t’ see him
that way that he does. That is not a typical behavior of a mere fan; that is a
behavior of someone who has an unhealthy attachment to someone. May
I also point out that most instances of stalking begin as being a simple fan
of someone, and result in an obsession with their every move.
The Court: If the defense has no more questions for the prosecution, the
defense may call the defendant to the stand.
Public Defender: Charles Kinbote is called to the stand. Now, would you
mind describing the nature of your relationship with John Shade?
Charles Kinbote: Not at all. As Sybil mentioned, I met Shade through the
university we both worked at. I, of course, knew much of the poet’s work,
as I am quite an avid reader of all sorts of literature (25). Therefore, when
we met, I would have considered myself a fan, but it never went farther
than that; I just had a deep respect for his work and his intellect.
Defendant Attorney: Can you share any moments where your relationship
between Shade was misunderstood?
Charles Kinbote: Every instance where Sybil though I was spying or stalk-
ing, I was really just trying to reach out to a dear friend. For example, last
July 5 th was Shade’s birthday. I called the Shade’s residence hoping to
wish him a happy birthday and ce