576
FRANK CONROY
directly into my eyes in a contest of wills. Suddenly
his
head jerked
forward and a glob of spittle curved through the air and fell at my
feet.
"Tough guy," said Olsen. "Once he threw his own shit at me.
But he'll never do that again."
My eyes were locked with the inmate's. "Did you punish him?"
"Punish him!" Olsen laughed. "I beat the living daylights out
of him. He was in the infirmary for three days."
"Did he understand?"
"What?"
"Did he understand why you hit him?"
"He didn't throw no more shit so I guess he did."
"What's
his
name?"
"Gregory."
"Can we go back now?"
"He doesn't know how lucky he is. He's the only one in the
building with a room of his own. Look." He flashed
his
light up the
hall. Beds were set up along the walls of the corridor. People were
sitting up in them watching us silently. Most of them fell back as
the light struck them, like dominoes in a row. To the rest Olsen yelled
"Lights out! Bedtime!"
"Can we go back now?"
Olsen had gone off duty and Guy and I were in the office.
"Lovely, isn't it?" Guy said sitting on the edge of the desk.
"Is there anyplace with a door? I'd feel better with a door."
"No, but you'll be alright."
"What about that guy name Gregory?"
"He won't do anything. He's probably asleep. They go to sleep
like
that."
He snapped his fingers. After a moment he raised his head
and stared out the doorway. "Isn't it incredible the way some of them
are hung? They've got equipment a horse wouldn't be ashamed of."
"Guy, I don't think I can make it."
"It's perfectly safe." He stood up. "I've got to make the rounds."
"I can't stay here."
"Well I can't take you back. You'll just have to."
"I'll sleep in the car."
"It's freezing out there."
"I'll take some blankets. It'll be alright."
