Tenement Funster

Out of The Frying Pan...

It was the worst outcome Brian had imagined.  Well, almost the worst.  He could be charged with something much more serious, and he could be told he was being held over for trial.  Based on what Freddie's solicitor told them, that was unlikely.  The delay in getting released, however, posed a serious problem.

"You never know...we might get out in time..."  Roger offered as reassurance.  Brian nodded but kept quiet as he slumped down against the wall and felt deflated.  Everything seemed to be moving in the right direction with Walter and now he couldn't even call him and postpone.  The author's business card laid on Brian's desk at home.  Out of reach. 

"I'm sure this man will understand if you don't make it...you just need to offer an apology and provide a reasonable explanation..."  Freddie proposed.  "Tell him what actually happened...you had some friends who fought, and it became public, and you were caught up in the whole mess!"  he declared.  "You aren't really to blame for anything...the police just collected every bystander and hauled them in..."  he added as he looked at Brian with empathetic eyes.

"Maybe..."  Brian replied to show he was listening.  He didn't want to offend the person who had kindly offered to bail him out.  The door to the cell opened and two new guards came in carrying blankets and pillows. 

"It looks like this is an all-nighter in here for you lot!"  the guard advised as he and the other began handing out the blankets and pillows.   "This happens every Halloween now..."  he explained.  "Too many arrests and not enough beds..."  he advised.  "You'll have to make do in here..."  

"This is ridiculous!"  Teddy complained.  "We're expected to sleep on the floor?"  he questioned with disdain.  One of the guards stepped out and the other leaned against the wall and crossed his arms.

"I could always place with you with another prisoner for the night...maybe he'd be willing to share his bed..."  the guard proposed as he eyed Teddy.  All the men shared a look of wariness at being placed with another prisoner.  Not knowing what they were charged with or their feelings about homosexuals.

"The floor is good..."  Griff stated as the guard nodded to him with a grin.

"That's the spirit!"  the guard responded and looked intently at all the men.  "You lucked out tonight..."  he announced.  "They put Keegan over another area..."  he advised.  "He's the guard who told you he would be watching for any funny business..."  he clarified.  The group of men knew who he was referring to.  "Me?"  the guard stated.  "I could give a fuck what you do in here as long as you keep quiet..."  he informed them.  

"Thank you..."  Freddie told the guard with appreciation.  The guard nodded to him.

"You'll get some breakfast around 7..."  he advised and gestured at the metal toilet and sink against the far wall.  "That's your bog for the night...sleep tight!"  he told them as he walked out of the cell and the door closed.

"This is outrageous!"  Teddy cried out as the door lock sounded.  

"Considering you're one of the reasons we are in here...I think you have no room to complain!"  one of the party guests snapped.  Everyone leered at Teddy, and he moved his gaze down at his pillow.  Feeling the irritated mood of this fellow inmates.  

"It's one night out of our lives gentleman..."  Freddie announced.  "Let's just make the best of it..."  he proposed.  Several men muttered agreement as they began to get situated for the night.  Freddie stood up and gestured at the bench.  

"You sleep there..."  Freddie suggested as John gave him a look of surprise.

"You take it..."  John argued and looked at Roger and Brian on the floor.  "Or one of you..."  he offered.  "I'm okay on the floor..." he told them.