Scratching out a Living

[Not Espi]

‘So what’cha in for?’ - Dave asked his new inmate on the first day in the block. He knew it wasn’t something violent, the guy didn’t look capable of doing such a thing. The prisoner uniform was hanging on him, but it’s always better to ask and hope the guy is honest. Nobody wants to be in a cell with a psychopathic child-molester. That would either drive you nuts or force to do something you might regret later. Or both - in any order.

‘Insurance fraud.’ - the man replied. Simple, clean, and with an honest voice. ‘I saved the company a lot of credits and they pick me to be the fall guy. The CEO told me they will take care of my family though, so it’s okay... I guess. And a two year vacation could come in handy.’ - he chuckled slightly - ‘And yourself?’

‘Breaking and entering, theft, mostly small stuff...’ - Dave stood up from his bulk and came closer to his new ‘best friend’. His new neighbour didn’t seem to be stressed, even if they were in prison and Dave was significantly taller. The the fresh inmate just stood there and use his left hand to correct the position of his glasses.

‘They say that one can tell what kind of a person you are from a handshake.’ - Dave said, and extended his right arm. ‘The name’s Dave. We’ll be seeing each other fairly often now... Might as well get to know our names, right?’

The man with glasses shook Dave’s hand. It wasn’t exactly strong, but relatively firm for a man of his construction - ‘Clarence... Clarence Wakely. Nice to meet you, Dave.’ - replied the man, while almost having a smile on his face. That made Dave a bit nervous - he was obviously stronger and taller, but they guy didn’t give a rat’s ass. There was something here, he didn’t see.