Inmate Jackson, a Control Center Porter at Ryan Correctional Facility, was “in the know.” He’d tell me the exact hour when the prison siren would make its ear-piercing sound. We knew the drill—they (the prisoners) would return to their cells for a head count, their regular scheduled activities cancelled for the day, and us (custody and noncustody staff) would practice various scenarios: hide the state employee (hostage situation), catch the state employee (escape in progress), or aid the state employee (escort healthcare to the scene). Practice, as they say, makes perfect.One time, the day-shift sergeant slipped me a note with instructions to hide in a storage closet. When the time arrived, I exited my room full of convicts and hid in the designated spot. Sitting in total darkness, I could hear the slow, steady whir of the siren, as it got louder and louder and louder. I could hear people moving about, going to their assigned areas of control. It wasn’t long and silence fell upon me. It wasn’t long and I had fallen asleep.
They never did find me on that day. After what seemed like forever, I heard a distant voice penetrate my tranquility. I checked my wristwatch—shift change had passed.
I revealed myself.
“What are you doing in that closet?” the officer making rounds said.
“Is the immobilization over?” I asked.
“It’s been over.”
I confronted the afternoon-shift sergeant.
He rolled his eyes heavenward, “They had many scenarios.”
9 comments:
"Blown" being the key word. They forgot about you. Takes "forget about it" to a new level. Nice post. MW :-)
Ha,ha,ha. Don't worry, when I was in Marine Corps boot camp, they also forgot about me and I was stuck sitting on a park bench like Forest Gump until one of my DIs rolled up in her POV. Then she had to find someone with a "Recruit handling permit" to find and "acceptable recruit transport vehicle" to take me back to my squad bay. You see, recruits aren't allowed in POV's (personally owned vehicles). Sheesh! That's what I get for following orders.
-P
Surely you're not complaining about being paid to take a nap?
Yeah what geewits said
JR, that's too funny. Did anyone get into trouble for not coming to get you?
You have the world's most interesting job.
Josie,
That's a negative. They held absolutely no one responsible for my well being. Thanks for asking. And as for interesting job -- nope, it's actually very very dull.
I'm trying to avoid closet jokes.
Ivan
I'm surprised your buddy didn't take advantage of the closet jokes. You may live to regret usage of that word!
Danny,
"Closet," doesn't bother me anymore than wearing a Tweetie Bird hat to prison. I'm comfortable with my sexuality. No need to come out of that "Closet."
As for being paid to nap, what else am I going to do while waiting in that closet? It's probably best that you don't answer. Just throwing it out there for you to think about.
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