The Poker Chip Flipping Prison Chaplain

Buck Bismark Buhler, the new prison chaplain, walks the hallways wondering why the inmates are so joyful. Their raucous laughter, broad smiles, and jubilant fist bumping perplexes him. Their joy irritates him. Why does the inmates' joy irritate him? It should make him happy. It should bring him joy and relief. If the inmates are happy, Buck's job will be easier. His calling is to lift the spirits of the inmates, to wipe their tears, to give them hope, and to help make prison life as bearable as possible. The way he sees the inmates interacting with each other makes him feel like his job is not necessary.

Buck's supervisor Mr. Billings tells Buck that the inmates here are happier than the employees. He is right. You can tell by looking at the faces of the inmates and then looking at the faces of the officers. The stark contrast reminds Buck of a day he took his wife Petula and their children Jeremiah and Jocelyn to the zoo. Exhausted and ready to leave the zoo, they are trying to figure out where the exit is. Buck figures it out by looking at peoples' faces. The people with sparkles in their eyes and smiles on their faces are the ones who are entering the zoo. They are the ones walking triumphantly as they anticipate a wonderful day. The people with their heads bowed and with frowns on their faces are the ones exiting the zoo. They walk slowly and dejectedly. So, Buck and his family follow them and they are led to the exit.

Buck escaped the zoo that day. Now, he finds himself working in a different kind of zoo. He does not understand why the sad countenances of those exiting the zoo match the attitudes of the workers at the prison, and the joy of those entering the zoo matches the frivolity of the inmates.

Why does the joy of the inmates irritate him? It is because he himself is sad.