The Green Mile and The Reporter

Percy Meets Steamboat Willy

"And here I thought you wouldn't be coming back."

I grinned as I stepped onto the mile, looking over at Harry and a man I didn't recognize. "According to Brutal you lost a bet."

Harry picked up a newspaper from the desk and said "Two, actually."

I took the paper from and flipped to the back. Pride swelled in my chest as my column came into view. It was small and tucked away into an obscure corner, but it was mine. My work.

The man, I didn't know chuckled. "You must be that reporter I've been hearing about."

I tossed the paper back on the desk with a smile. "Yes, sir. Though I'm afraid I don't know you nearly as well as you know me."

"The names Bill. Good luck hanging around here."

"You're not the first to say something like that."

Harry glanced up from the form he was filling out. "Bill's just a floater Miss Argonne. Don't mind him."

"A floater?"

Bill snorted. "I'm one of the guards who only comes in to help out once in a while. Only Paul, Brutal, Dean, Harry and Percy are E block regulars."

I nodded, pulling out my notebook to add that to my notes. "Where is Percy anyways?"

"In the back probably." Harry shrugged. "Brutal and Paul should be back fairly soon, they just went to grab some things. From A block."

Putting my pad and pencil in the pocket of my overalls, I set my bag down in Paul's office and started down the long hallway. Just as Harry had said Percy was in Sparky's lair. Though from what I could tell all he was doing was slacking off.

He glanced at me, then did a double take. I straightened my shoulders out of habit and gave him a smile, I hoped didn't look as shy as it felt. I stepped forward, holding out my hand. "We have mat properly yet. I'm Argonne Flick."

Percy ignored my hand. "You're that reporter?"

I lowered my hand awkwardly. "Yep. That's me." He stared for a highly uncomfortable moment. "Could I ask you a few questions for the paper?"

He brushed past me. "I'm busy."

I doubted that, but I followed him back down the hall and into the corridor. "They're pretty standard questions. Only take a minute."

Even though Percy was the shortest guard on E block my legs still struggled to jog after him. "Are all reporters as pushy as you?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "You've obviously haven't had many run ins with reporters."

Harry beckoned me over as Percy stalked away. I pulled an extra chair up to the desk. "Yes?"

"Don't waste your time on him." Harry adjusted his glasses and smiled at me. "Me and Bill will answer any of your questions."

I felt a surge of gratitude and flipped open my notepad again.

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"You little son of a bitch."

We all looked up to see Percy staring down at Steamboat Willy. Percy had been coming his shiny, grease slicked hair and was just setting down his comb. The little mouse looked up at us and I smiled down at him as his little whiskers trembled.

"Well, I'll be damned. There he is, big as Billy-be-frigged. I though Brutal was pulling my leg." Harry leaned forward to get a better look.

Bill gaped. "That's a goddamn mouse."

Harry nodded. "Yeah. Brute said he was here last night begging for food. Came right up to the desk."

"My ass." Snorted Bill.

"He did too. Not a hint of fear, not even when we were laughing at him." I said.

"You were here last night?"

"Yep. I was interviewing Paul and Dean." I brushed some stray hairs out of my face. "Brutal named him Steamboat Willy."

Harry chortled. "Named him did he? Well I suppose Steamboat Willy works pretty well."

Bill glanced at Percy, who was staring down at the little guy with a strange look on his face. "Give him some room, Percy, see what he does."

Percy gave a distracted "Alright." Before backing up a few steps.

The mouse skittered right up to the desk, looking up at us with little oil drop eyes. Harry broke off a a piece of cracker. "Brave little bastard. Gotta give him that."

The mouse picked up the cracker almost daintily and nibbled on it until crumbs were all that was left. Bill held his hand out for a cracker. "Here. Lemme try." The mouse ignored his offering and kept its eyes on Harry. "Hm. Maybe he's full."

Harry grinned. "Maybe he knows you're just a floater. Gotta be a E block regular to feed the E block mouse, don't ya know..."

Harry tossed down another cracker and the mouse eagerly began to nibble on it. Harry's smile faded into a confused frown. "I was just kidding." He looked at me. "Why don't you try Miss Argonne?"

Curious, I took the cracker from him and gently slid across the floor to Steamboat Willy. The mouse seemed to consider it for second, before picking it up. I could've a sworn that the strange mouse looked from me to the cracker before eating it.

"YAHHHH!!!"

Everyone on the Mile jumped as the mouse ducked, ducked, to avoid being decapitated by Percy's baton as it bounced off the green tile and clattered against the bars of Bitterbuck's cell, causing its occupant to flinch back. Still yelling Percy grabbed the garbage can and held it high over his head, stomping his work boots. As the mouse zigzagged to avoid being crushed Percy twisted and spun like a crazed dancer. Both Harry and the inmates began shouting at Percy, but he didn't seem to hear as he flung down the garbage can.

The contents of the waste basket flew across the floor and the mouse shot out from under a paper and bolted down the mile. Percy batted the waste basket aside and rushed after it. Stomping and jumping in big, comical leaps, screaming over the clamor "I WILL STOMP YOUR LIFE OUT!"

Because of his headlong rush Percy had to skid to a stop as the mouse disappeared under the restraint room door. Slamming his hands against the door he yelled "FUCK!" Hurrying to get his keys "I'M GONNA RIP YOUR DISEASED HEAD OFF!! Little piece of shit."

Only a moment later Paul and Brutal burst through the door, looking ready for war. Harry sighed. "Percy met your mouse." 

They looked down the mile where Percy was yanking stuff out of the restraint room as fast as he could. He paused when he saw Paul and Brutal. "It's in here somewhere. I'm gonna squish the little son of a bitch."

Percy started trying to muscle a filing cabinet out onto the mile and Brutal called out. "Percy we already tried that."

Percy's flushed face looked over his shoulder. "What? What did you say?"

"I said we already-" Paul turned to the big man and gave him a pointed look. Brutal quickly amended himself "-knock yourself out. Hope you nail the bastard."

Percy nodded with a malicious grin that made me squirm. "Oh I will."

Paul leaned over to whisper in my ear. "Miss Argonne, I would appreciate it if you didn't help him."

I frowned down the mile. "Not a problem."