[Loud buzzer. Jail cell doors rolling closed. Silent Room Ambi.]
Russell: [To himself.] Who's this guy? [Pause.] I can't believe they put a mouse inside a rat's cell.
[Pause.]
Terrence: I'm... I'm not gonna do anything.
Russell: Hmm?
Terrence: You don't have to prove anything to me.
Russell: What are you talking about?
Terrence: You know... You gotta show me how tough you are by beating me up... or getting in my face to lay down the rules.
Russell: <Groans a little.> I wasn't gonna do anything, pal. You look like you know your place anyways.
[Pause.]
Terrence: Sorry to take up your space.
Russell: Actually, I wanted the company. I've had my own cell for nearly six months straight. Change is good.
Terrence: <Nervous noise.>
Russell: What's your story, new guy?
Terrence: My name is Terrence. I killed a guy.
Russell: <Slight scoff.> Really? /You?/ [Belittling.] But yer just a cute little mousie.
[Long pause.]
Terrence: About four years ago, I was coming home from work early, and I noticed another car in front of my house. I walked inside and heard... /moaning/ coming from upstairs. I could tell my girl was one of them.
Russell: [Contemplated. Slightly amused by the novelty.] Hmmm.
Terrence: I really don't remember too much of it. I know I grabbed a gun from a cabinet downstairs... and then I walked up and...
Russell: [Finishing the sentence.] You plugged him.
Terrence: [A little unsure.] I guess I did.
Russell: You look a little unsure about it.
Terrence: I still can't believe I did it. I don't know what came over me. It just... happened. I feel terrible about doing it now.
Russell: <Chuckle.>
Terrence: Anyways, I'm on my second year. I was in Cell Block A, but I received a pretty nasty death threat, so they moved me to C Block.
Russell: Alright.
Terrence: What did /you/ do?
Russell: <Deep sigh as he remembers.> I'm a rat... and like a lot of rats, I joined a gang. It always starts as just a kid's game, but eventually it ends up a war... a war fought with guns.
Terrence: Sounds awful.
Russell: [Contrary.] No, actually I liked it. It was fun! Every day was an adventure for me. I'd wake up, pocket my gun, and go out looking for some Sinful Devils to kill... /fuckin' hyenas./ I did it so often that I didn't think anything of it.
Terrence: Weren't you afraid of getting arrested?
Russell: Well, I /was/ arrested a few times. Minor things, but Scritch City cops don't really mess with that area of town much. The Tailhole Club is proof of that. The thing that put me here was when I ventured a little too far east. I saw a hyena driving towards me. I made a split second choice to pull out my gun and unload.
Terrence: And you killed him.
Russell: <Sad sigh.> No. I missed. I killed someone else. It was an otter named Mathew Karim. He was twenty-eight years old and had a wife and one child. He's dead now. Turns out you can kill as many hyenas as you want... but never any otters. Dear God, like we need any more cute in this fucking world.
Terrence: [Softly.] Oh man... [Pause and then normally.] How long have you been here?
Russell: About eight years.
Terrence: Do you feel bad that you killed him?
Russell: Well... a little. But what am I gonna do? I'm in jail and that's the end of it.
Terrence: I'm sorry to bring all that up.
Russell: <Grunts as he stands up.>
Terrence: <Nervous.> Uuhhh...
Russell: My name is Russell. Welcome to Scritch City Penitentiary. I appreciate the conversation.
Terrence: Oh... You’re welcome... I guess.
Russell: You gonna shake my paw or what?
Terrence: Oh, sorry. I'm nervous. [Pause for handshake.] There.
Russell: Heh. Big surprise. Listen, I'm fairly easy to get along with... so as long as you don't piss me off. Understand?
Nuke
