The fashion at the Hennepin County Government Center makes for great diversion: faux fur red boots, a middle-age woman in a T-shirt that reads "American Dream Girl," a man on his way to court in a red satin jacket with bejeweled wings and a cross on the back.
As the poorest and the powerful pass through the 24-story building's skyway level, the eavesdropping is at least as entertaining. Overheard snippets Tuesday provide a peek into the panoply of passersby.
First judge to second judge: "I settled a case for you today."
Second judge: "Was it a big one?"
First judge: "No. A little automobile thing."
Second judge: "A case is a case."
Man on cellphone: "So then they're going to ask, 'Why didn't you throw her out then?' ... I understand what you're saying, I'm just trying to appease the court."
Defendant to lawyer: "I've already missed so much work and I'm paying for parking."
Lawyer to pregnant law clerk: "Wow. You're about to pop that sucker out."
