Edward's Dilemma Read Online Free PDF Page A

the cell door.
    The biggest challenge for Josh was learning to get along with Frank, his cellmate.  Josh had always been a loner of sorts, and he didn’t require – or even want – a lot of company.  He fully understood that being cooped up with another person would tax his social skills, and impinge on his desire to be left alone.  Still, he was a “survivor” – one of those individuals who could quickly a dapt to changing circumstances.  As such, it wasn’t long before he was entirely comfortable in his new environment.
     
     
    Stuart Co. Jail, Tank 3WestC
    10 August, 7 :20 PM
     
    ALSO HOUSED in the Old Jail, Jerry got into trouble shortly after his arrival in the tank.  The “incident” occurred while he and several others were playing cards at a table.  They were all having a good time, but they began to get a little carried away in their enthusiasm for the game.  Before long they were yelling loudly, and slapping the table with their palms.  This drew a stern rebuke from the CO to knock it off.
    Nearby , an inmate who wanted to watch the game meandered over to an adjacent table and sat down on top of the table.  His sandaled-feet rested comfortably on the seat below.  He’d only been there for a moment, before the CO approached with an angry look on his face.  Suddenly, a loud voice reverberated throughout the tank.  “Get your a** off of the table!” the CO yelled.  “The table-top is for eating, not for your dirty a** butt!  This place is disgusting enough as it is.”
    Everybody in the tank thought this was absolutely hilarious, and let out a collective laugh.  It was at this instant that Jerry made a grievous mistake; he spoke aloud an insensitive thought which had slithered into the forefront of his mind.  “Maybe if he took his own fat a** to gym every once in a while, he’d get a little more respect.”  As he said this, Jerry made a motion with his thumb to indicate he was talking about the overweight CO.
    At the time, Jerry had thought his snarky comment was funny and mostly harmless.  In fact, as soon as the words were spoken, just about everybody around him had laughed.  His mistake, however, was that it overheard by the CO.  And he was in no laughing mood.
    “What did you say?” the CO demanded.
    “Nothing – I didn’t say anything,” Jerry replied.
    “Listen.  Don’t play games with me.  I heard what you said.  If you don’t show a little more respect to the staff, I’ll put you somewhere more appropriate.”
    “What are you, the Gestapo?  I just made a harmless little joke.  Lighten up.”  Again, Jerry spoke before thinking.  Within seconds the dialogue escalated even further, and before he knew what he was doing or saying, Jerry made a comment that was construed as a threat.  The next thing he knew, he was in cuffs and headed for the dreaded “Hole.”
     
     
    Stuart Co. Jail, the Hole
    10 August, 10:03 PM
    JERRY HADN’T been in the Hole very long when he noticed a little red bump on his leg.  At first glance, he thought it might be a pimple or and ingrown hair.  But he’d heard stories from other inmates who’d seen similar anomalies on their skin.  They had attributed it to a spider bite.  Although this seemed like a somewhat reasonable explanation to Jerry, he couldn’t recall ever seeing a spider in the jail.  Everything was cement, and metal; it wasn’t like some woodpile out behind the house.  Why would spiders want to live here? ” he thought.  Surprisingly, the little bump quickly became a big bump.
    E xtremely painful to touch, the wound became a source of great anxiety and alarm.  If he’d been at home, Jerry reasoned, he could have easily made an appointment with his doctor.  But what am I supposed to do here? he thought.   How do I go about seeing a doctor when I’m stuck in this hell-hole?   The more he considered his problem, the more his concern grew.  Soon, he was overwhelmed by feelings of hopelessness and