ESCHEWAL HAS BEEN LOCKED in the cell for two hours due to the capture of other individuals smuggling drugs.
He now sits in the interview room, staring at the blank wall. The door opens and two non-threatening officers, stinking of cigarettes and coffee, enter. The taller one is carrying Eschewal's suitcase.
The officers sit down. The one closest to Eschewal presses the record button.
"Interview commencing 15:52. Officer Laurez and Officer Drinkwater. Also, detainee, Mr. Rote, is present."
Officer Drinkwater looks up at Eschewal. "Are you Mr. Eschewal Rote?"
Eschewal nods.
Officer Drinkwater demands, "Please say yes, for the tape recorder."
Eschewal leans forward. "Yes."
Officer Drinkwater continues, "Do the contents of this suitcase belong to you?"
Eschewal leans forward again. "Yes."
"Are you aware it's illegal to smuggle any substance banned by law under the drugs act?"
Eschewal smiles. "No."
Officers Drinkwater and Laurez look puzzled.
Eschewal continues, "I wasn't trying to smuggle it. I was going to declare it. I use cannabis as a healing tea, not a narcotic drug."
The officers smile.
Drinkwater says, "What, all 27 kilos of it?"
Eschewal nods. "Yeah, that's about a six-month supply."
Officer Laurez interjects, "Nah, come on, son. Make it easy on yourself. You look like a good lad; we know someone must've put you up to this. Just give us the name, and you can get off with maybe a suspended sentence."
Eschewal grits his teeth. He has always known that sentencing for cannabis is lenient. If his eyes could talk, they would say to the officers, 'Even if I didn't wanna go to prison, I would never snitch or bow down to the system and beg for forgiveness. You're wasting your time because I must plead not guilty to your arbitrary cannabis laws to ensure I'll be put away for at least 3-5 years.' He shakes his head. "Nah, as I said, the cannabis is mine. I bought it for personal use. That's all I've got to say, no more comment."
Both officers blow out hot air.
Eschewal closes his eyes and drifts into a state of meditation while Officer Drinkwater recites, "Okay, we have no choice but to charge you with drug importation under the drugs act. This interview is terminated at 16:10."
The officer stops the tape cassette.
Eschewal crosses his fingers as a smile draws across his face.
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