I made my first contact with Ruben late last night, after he fell asleep, I dropped a note in his room, along with a ballpoint pen. And as he wakes up, he notices the note on his lap. Once he adjusts his eyes to it, he reads it aloud. 'Hey Ruben, I hope you get the chance to write back to me.' it reads. Confused, he scrunches the paper up and tosses it aside, dragging himself to his feet. As he realises he isn't alone, his confusion turns to anger, his furrowed brow into a scrunched eye. A red mist descends over his face, and I watch a repeat of his little tantrum yesterday. Punching walls, kicking floors, screaming to let him out. I think I even heard a 'My name isn't Ruben' which made me chuckle under my breath.
Not very many things make you chuckle in a profession like this, but that was one of them. I don't even know why I do this job, I can't remember life before it though. I couldn't imagine myself not working here, and I think that's why I don't walk out before I waste my life here. I like my job. At least thats what I tell myself.
Anyways, back to the task at hand, Ruben is still at it, he has been for the past hour almost, so I think I'm gonna have to make an attempt to communicate again. A few moments later, another note is slipped through a crack far too small and obscure to be noticed by anyone on this planet. He grabs it with a clenched fist, crumpling the corner. Concentrating, he reads out loud once more 'Please settle down Ruben, let's not make this any harder for you than it has to be. I want to be your friend Ruben, and I think you should take my offer, because opportunities like these don't come around often in places like these.' I cower slightly, expecting a second fit of rage, but instead, calmly he turns away from the paper, shouting 'Who are you? Can you help me?' As much as I'd like to answer him, I can't help him, or tell him who I am.
After he gets no response, he drops into his seated position that I saw him take the day before, drops his head into his arms, and instead of going to sleep, he sobs. Without noticing, my jaw drops, I'd just made a hardened criminal crack, without even having to hurt him. Something is off about this job, but the last thing I want is to be in his position, so I mustn't question it.
I'm done for the day. I'm going home.
