The cold walls of the cell surrounded Thomas as he lay on the bunk, staring lifelessly at the ceiling. Considering the size of the cell, and the complete and utter lack of anything to keep his attention, his mind wandered towards what he would be doing the rest of the day. A bit of weight lifting perhaps, a dinner composed of crappy food… and that was it. Day after day of the same meaningless activities to keep him occupied… what was even more depressing was the fact that this was the rest of his life. There would be no escape from the monotony, as the possibility for parole hadn’t been included when the judge had ordered him to be sent here. That fact had long since bored itself into his brain, but Thomas couldn’t get his mind off that unpleasant fact. There was movement near the cell door. His roommates coming back from breakfast maybe? “All right Morrison, up and at ‘em.” Thomas looked up curiously. One of the guards was waiting for him at the door. As far as he knew, he didn’t have an appointment with the fine officers of the prison. “What’s going on?” he asked as he got off the bunk and walked over to the gate. “Warden wants to see you.” “Him? Why?” “Hell if I know.” “Did I break a rule?” “Don’t think so. He didn’t offer any details. Now come on, slip your hands through.” With well practiced precision, Thomas put his hands through the opening in the bars, allowed the guard to lock the handcuffs on. The cold steel gripped his hands as the gate was opened and he walked out. The guard led him through the wing of the prison towards the central hub, where the warden’s office waited. They entered a few moments later, where the warden was waiting in his plump chair. “Take a seat Morrison.” Thomas did so. “If I may ask,” he said. “Why am I here?” “Don’t worry, you didn’t break any rules or get into trouble,” the warden said. “In fact, that’s precisely the reason you’re here.” Confused, Thomas looked at the warden. “Morrison, there’s a new program being started up by the state. It’s scheduled to go into full operation about a year from now, but currently it’s in the last stages of testing. It’s a new method of housing prisoners, and they’re looking for someone to test it out on.” It only took a second for Morrison to realize where this was going. “They sent out a bulletin to us last night asking if we had anyone who could be a test subject, and I immediately thought of you.” “Why?” “Simple. You’re one of the best inmates we got. Spotless record, never caused a fuss, never got in a fight. You’re grade A prisoner, and that’s who they’re looking for.” Thomas wasn’t sure if he was flattered or not. “Oh.” “Because of that, I wanted to offer you the opportunity to try out this new housing procedure before anyone else.” “What’s in it for me?” “Well, it’ll be a lot more comfortable and possibly more enjoyable then spending most of your time in cells…” That got Thomas’s attention. “I figured that would catch your eye. Now, I can’t tell you exactly what this procedure is, but if you’re interested, all you have to do is say the word.” “I’d rather be freed.” “Sorry, but we can’t arrange that. You know what the judge said. Life without parole. Even working in this experiment can’t change that. All we can offer is to make your life more comfortable. It only took a few moments for Thomas to make up his mind. “Done.” “That quick, eh?” “If it gets me out of this hellish place, I’ll do it.” “Figured you’d say that. We’ve already got a van set to take you out there. You need to get your things?” Thomas shook his head. “Nothing to get.” “All right then. I’ll send word out to get you going… you do know they’ll have to transport you in full gear, right? High name prisoner like you needs to be tied down.” “I won’t run.” “I know. But rules are rules.” “I can take it.” “Good. Better get going then.” Thomas stood, the guard coming up to escort him out. As he started out, Thomas paused. “Oh, warden… what exactly is this facility?” The warden shook his head. “They didn’t say.”
...