Well, as you can see from this Court Photograph, my Trial for the 87 Counts of Literary Conspiracy and Unauthorised Publication of Non-Publishable Classified Hive Intelligence and Third-Degree Exposure of Probably Illegal Royal Deportation Programmes has taken place, and I’m just taking a Bathroom Break while we wait for the Jury to announce they have reached a Verdict. I hope they find me Not Guilty, beecause tomorrow is my Birthday (I’m going to bee 49 years old, if you can beelieve that, and I’m absolutely Sure that my Girlfriend, ButterCup, has something extra-special planned for my Big Day, probably).

In the meantime, here’s a brief Summary of what happened during the Trial:

First, Her Insufferable Royal Highness, who, she informed us, serves as Judge, Jury, and Executioner (I don’t like the sound of that last one) called Krunch McKowskey to the Witness Stand. I hafta’ say that he wasn’t beeing very nice about anything, and at least half the stuff he was Saying about me wasn’t true. He made me sound like a criminal or something. I’m not. I’m a Law-Abiding Bee. Mostly.
Anyway. After he Concluded his Testimony, my Lawyer (S.O.Bee) called my Illegitimate Nephew, Kevin, to the Witness Stand. Kevin did a Phenomenal Job of letting the Jury know that I was Mostly Innocent of all the charges, and told them that I am a Sweet, Honest, Kind, Mostly Dependable, and Dedicated Bee who deserves to bee Acquitted of all the charges. Hopefully, the Jury agrees.

The trial seemed to take forever, but finally, S.O.Bee delivered his Closing Arguments in my Defence. He went on and on and on and on about how he thought I was beeing Railroaded, and made the Suggestion that Her Insufferable Royal Majesty, along with her Enforcer, Krunch McKowskey, were abusing the Power of their Offices and that they were creating an Atmosphere of Fear in the Hive. I know a few of the Bees in the Jury were Nodding Off, but they were Awakened by the sound of my Lawyer beeing placed into Custody and beeing Charged with Contempt of the Royal Court - a charge that carries a Maximum Penalty of either Six Weeks in a Detention Hive somewhere off the Coast of the Gulf of Mexico, a fine of 87 Pounds of Honey - or both. He was sentenced to both, so I’m Highly Disappointed that he won’t bee at my Birthday Surprise Party tomorrow, apparently.

Of course, as you’d Expect, the News about what was happening in my Trial and to my Lawyer spread through the Swarm, and a bunch of Workers and Drones led by my Editor (beelieve it or not) showed up outside the Royal Court to protest the Proceedings. Unfortunately for them, Her Insufferable Royal Majesty heard the Protests and Informed them that if they Continued, they’d make her Mad and they’d bee met with Heavy Force…which they were (ever since Queen Darla has taken over the Hive, it appears all the Rules have changed. The Swarm no longer receives Free Medical Care and all Pollinating Classes for the Youngest Bees have been Cancelled, which none of us thinks is Fair or Legal, and Bees are beeing Detained for No Good Reason Whatsoever - Krunch even Arrested Mayor Billy Bee beecause he didn’t like the Carpet in his Office—that’s totally Unfair since Billy Bee has been an Avid Supporter of Her Insufferable Royal Majesty’s Policies), so the last I heard, the Protestors - along with my Editor - were beeing Locked inside that Diamond Safety Match Box and are currently waiting to bee sent to that Detention Hive located somewhere off the Coast of the Gulf of Mexico I mentioned beefore.

I wouldn’t wanna bee them.

As you probably Guessed, I wanted to ask if S.O.Bee could Intervene and help Save them, but as I said, he’s also been placed in Custody and is awaiting Deportation. In the meantime, I’m waiting to find out if the Jury will Acquit or Convict me of all those Charges. I can’t wait to find out.

But wait. Apparently, I won’t have to wait. I was just informed that the Jury has Returned with a Verdict, and I hafta’ go back into the Courtroom to Learn about what my Future is going to bee. Am I going to bee able to attend my Totally Unexpected Surprise Birthday Party tomorrow? Will I bee able to spend a Relaxing Evening streaming Re-Runs of my Stories (my favourite Episodes of “Escape from Bee Island: The Return” are finally available to Stream)? Or am I going to end up in that Match Box with the Protestors and my Editor? I’ll bet that you’re as Highly Excited as I am to find out what’s going to Happen, aren’t you? I’ll let you know what the Verdict is after I go hear what it Is.

So I’m gonna go do that.