FOLIE A DEUX

MEETING LEE

Later in the day, the sun hung low in the sky, gray and dark. Arthur sat on a worn bench, feeling the rough texture of the wood beneath him. The air was heavy with the scent of stale cigarettes and distant echoes of laughter from other inmates scattered throughout the yard. He watched as a group played cards at one table, their shouts mingling with the occasional loudspeaker.

Brady and Knox leaned against the wall a few feet away, casually discussing the day's happenings. Their conversation floated over to him, laced with a mix of amusement and disdain.

"Did you hear about that guy in isolation?" Knox chuckled, shaking his head. "He thought he could escape by digging a tunnel with a spoon! Can you believe that?"

"Yeah, he'll be digging forever," Brady replied, crossing his arms."By the time he gets out, the spoon will be antique."

Arthur remained silent, listening to the guards' banter. A sense of detachment washed over him, but then he thought of that woman he saw—her quick smile, the playful glint in her eyes. It sparked something in him, a feeling he hadn't felt before.

"Hey, Fleck!" Knox called out, noticing him sitting alone. "Give us a joke! New cell, new attitude. Cmon, we could use a good laugh!"

Arthur hesitated, but the warmth of the sun and the memory of her laughter encouraged him. He straightened up, feeling lighter than before.

He inched closer to them, the look in his eyes making them feel uneasy.

"You want a joke?" he asked.

They looked at him uncomfortably, not really knowing what to say.

Then, a sudden smile appeared on his face, immediately jumping into the joke.

"The other day, I heard Ricky talking about how he can run a mile in under six minutes. I mean, that's impressive, so I asked him, 'Ricky, what's your secret? How do you keep in such great shape?' He puffs up his chest and says, 'It's easy! I just run away from my problems!'And I said, 'Well, that explains why you never catch them, because they're still waiting for you inside!'"

The guards exchanged curious glances, leaning in.

For a heartbeat, there was silence as the punchline settled in. Then, both guards burst into laughter, the sound echoing around the courtyard. Knox slapped his knee, wheezing slightly. "That's a classic, Fleck! You should take that on the road! You're sti a fuckin' freak, though.l

The laughter ignited a spark of joy within Arthur, and he couldn't help but chuckle along, feeling a sense of camaraderie for the first time in ages. As the guards continued to laugh, Arthur felt a rush of warmth spread through him.

"Funnier than we thought," Brady remarked, grinning as he reached into his pocket. To Arthur's surprise, he pulled out a crumpled cigarette and offered it to him. "Here, for the laugh. You earned it."

Arthur's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and gratitude flooding him.

"You sure?"Knox asked.

"Yeah, why not?" Brady replied with a casual shrug, a glimmer of respect in his eyes. "He's been good."

Arthur accepted the cigarette, feeling a tingle of delight. He brought the cigarette to his lips, the familiar ritual stirring memories of quieter days.

As he lit it, the first drag filled his lungs, bringing a momentary sense of calm. He watched the smoke curl upward, mingling with the sun-drenched air. The courtyard felt different now—less like a prison.

The guards continued to banter, their voices light, and for a brief moment, Arthur felt like he was part of their world, connected through humor and shared experience.