Trishank: A Way In

Chapter 2

Struggling to get all her bearings, Samantha ran behind Tennessee, barely keeping up. Tennessee stopped abruptly in front of a door with J3 marked above it. "This is the place ma'am. Please wait inside. And do make yourself comfortable. I'll get the detainee for you."

"Uh, okay Mr. Williams..." she entered through the door that was opened up for her to find herself in what looked like a therapist's clinic. She sat down the larger couch among the two couches. The seat just sank with her weight, giving out a delightful bounce. God. So. Much. Fluff. Rays of the April sun fell on her back, accompanied with the scent of heathery blossoms. As if jolted, she got up and prodded around for the source of the smell. As it turned out, it was from the garden, which the open windows overlooked. She had heard that these gardens were tended to by the prisoners. Something this beautiful was created by people so cruel... Makes you think if they were actually evil or situationally inclined at the time of crime...

"Ma'am, we have your man" called Tennessee, which was answered by Samantha with a tilt of her head. Whom she saw accompanying Tennessee was a short guy, probably in his mid-thirties. His black hair cut short and well groomed, his facial features were unremarkable. One would have a hard time picking him up from a crowd. His short stature wouldn't have helped either. But the man had something about him that made Samantha feel acquainted with him, even before either uttered a word. Maybe, his welcome expression of a warm smile did the trick. Why wouldn't anyone visit this guy? Seems nice enough to greet me!" Returning the smile, she awkwardly looked at Tennessee, not knowing what to do next. Taking that as a cue, Tennessee vanished behind the door without a word uttered.

"Do take a seat sir" she pointed towards the smaller couch, to which the detainee obliged. His presence was surely felt, even though with a lack of any remarkability. Not in an intimidating way though. More like a parental kind of presence. "Sir, would you mind terribly if we just had a mild conversation for the day?" asked Samantha as she settled in the couch that she had marked before.

"First of all missy. Call me Carl. And second of all, a conversation with someone outside is what every prisoner craves for around here" he quipped, and Samantha noticed crow's feet around the corner of his eyes. It's been a while since she felt at home. Weirdly enough, in a prison she felt that again.

"Of course si- Carl. And you can call ma Samantha. Or Sam, if you find my name tedious." Samantha returned his with her best version of a genuine smile.

"Oh I find no such thing Samantha, but I guess I'll stick with Sam, this one has a nice ring to it. And what are you here for? Damn, sorry for that. Two years in prison, and my social skills have gone down the drain. Tell me more about yourself kid."

"Yes. I am a psychology student from Oxford. 21, parents are in London that's pretty much all I can muster up at the moment. Answering your first question, I am doing my Post Graduate research in the influence of situational inclinations in criminal acts. I wanted to talk to you as your file said you were in for propaganda against the former global superintendence."

"Ah, clever girl, you have an amazing future ahead of you. But why did you take me up instead of all those people whose intentions might have been less tricky?" he inquired as he got up and moved to the open window to look at his mates toiling in the garden.

"That is the exact reason I picked you up. Not to mention that I am being punished for trapping my professor in an argument. God bless democracy am I right?" she winked at him, even though he wasn't facing her, slowly realising that she wasted a wink.

His guffaw stood proof to the fact that the joke wasn't as futile as her wink. Finally someone who appreciates humour. He came back and took the seat, occupying almost the totality of it. "Oh tell me about it. I know exactly how it feels to be right without authority. Look where I am right now" he made used both his hands to do a swiping gesture from his face to his hips, as if mentioning himself.

She didn't know what she expected her first interaction with a detainee was gonna be, but this sure was going shockingly pleasant. Brimming with hope about her research subject, Samantha went on with the first stimulating conversation since she came to Trishank.