Chapter Text
“Now, I’m sure you’ve heard a lot about Miranda Priestly,” Nigel chuckled knowingly, tucking his hands into his pockets. “That she’s ruthless, bathes in the blood of sheep, blah blah blah. It’s only partially true. What you really need to know is-”
“You have the right to remain silent, anything you say will be used against you.” A sharp voice interjected, followed by the aggressive clicking of heels.
Andy looked up from the screen of her laptop to see an older woman with intent blue eyes and white hair falling over her forehead. A hush fell over the room. She was the kind of person that demanded nothing but the utmost respect and attention, jutting her hip to one side, lips pursed. Andy snapped her gaping jaw shut. So that was Professor Priestly.
“Now when you choose a law career, the moment you embark; here is that joke you're bound to hear, ‘A lawyer is a shark.’ Ignore that, it's simplistic and it's stupid. Only some of you will turn out sharks, just some. The rest--” Miranda paused for a moment, looking around the room with that sharp gaze. It locked onto Andy, and the brunette felt a chill run down her spine. “Are fools.”
“Our topic is blood in the water.” Miranda’s voice dropped an octave, that amused gleam in her eyes disappearing as her eyes went stormy.
“You must use your time here efficiently. Law school is practically a waste.” She began pacing around the lecture hall, arms tucked behind her. For some unknown reason, Andy’s heart began to pound. “Unless you acquire a taste for blood in the water. You're nothing until the thrill of the kill becomes your only law.” Her mouth curved into a wicked smile, showing a flash of brilliant white teeth.
“Ms. Andrea Sachs, hypothetical question, would you be willing to defend the following banker accused of fraud?” Miranda suddenly inquired. Andy flinched when her name was called, and the professor rolled her eyes, but continued.
“A kind, old Grandma took her savings and she sent it off to your client, all she saved since she was born. Well, he promised to invest it, but he spent it on prostitutes and heroin and porn.” She looked almost playful when she purred that last part, and Andy swallowed before answering, “No, I would not want to take that case.”
“Wrong.” Her response was curt, that sharp edge to it back. Andy pretended to be very interested in the notes on her computer, knowing that the professor’s face was disapproving.
“This one is a sure victory unless you're totally incompetent. Grandma's broke, she'll have some blithering idiot from legal aid. Put her on the stand and call her a senile, batty crone, so your client goes free.” Her tone was cool, casual, and incredibly off-putting.
Andy wrinkled her nose at this and looked up, curious to see the expressions of her peers. They all looked just as surprised as she was.
“Read your Thomas Hobbes,” the professor said dismissively, with a wave of her hand. “Only idiots will quarrel with the morally dubious jobs. Who cares if it’s pleasant, so long as you win? In this world, your scruples are a flaw.” The brunette shook her head in disbelief. People really weren’t lying when they said she was nuts. Wasn’t that exactly what lawyers existed for? Justice?
“Ms. Lily Goodwin, hypothetical question, would you be the right lawyer for the following client? Say they offer you a bundle for defending a famous hitman for the mafia elite. Seems he missed his chosen prey, killed a nun and drove away.” Miranda’s voice was just a whisper, but authoritative and cold.
Lily, a girl with frizzy black hair, snorted derisively. “What, you think I wouldn't defend him just because he's a typical man?” The white-haired woman smiled sweetly at her, tsking. “Oh, you feminazis really think you’re something special, hm?”
The class went deathly silent as colour bloomed on Lily’s face, her words mumbled and stammered. Miranda had a triumphant gleam in her eyes. “Oh dear, I fear my comment has offended. However, it’s difficult to argue when you're too mad to speak. If we were in a court, your employment will be very quickly ended. Now you see how your emotions make you weak, yes?” Her lips quirked as she ambled around the room, likely noticing the expressions of perplexion and horror.
“So what's my point? I run a billion dollar law firm, and I hire four new interns every year. From this class I will select four young sharks whom I respect. And those four will have a guaranteed career.” Miranda tilted her head to one side and as if on cue, excited murmurs could be heard from the students around Andy.
The brunette couldn’t deny that it was really an exciting enterprise, a million law students would kill for that job. Working for Miranda Priestly though-- Andy couldn’t help but feel uneasy about that woman and her philosophies.
“I’ll only bring the best of the best with me, and I won’t be afraid to leave anyone behind shall they prove to be disappointing,” she drawled. “Now, would someone summarise the case of State of Indiana vs. Hearn from your reading, please Miss-- Jocelyn Brown?”
A hesitant hand was raised, and it was a nervous blonde girl. “I-I actually wanted to ask a question about the case with the grandma, I didn’t know we had readings,” she tittered, but went quiet when Miranda arched an eyebrow at her. “Get out of my class, and if you return you must be properly prepared to learn. That’s all.” The professor’s voice was breezy, and uncaring. Jocelyn squeaked as she gathered up her things, nodding vigorously. Then she bolted out the door in the blink of an eye.
Holy fucking shit
, Andy thought to herself, beginning to sweat. This was shaping up to be an interesting class.