Protege was down for 5. He had 8 left on an armed robbery, but only because he had money for a lawyer. Epitaph was washed with a triple life sentence - he pleaded no contest in order to avoid the death penalty after a home invasion went sour, resulting in the death of one of his partners and three dealers in the dopehouse. His driver left once he heard the shooting.
"Looking back, 'twas a mistake to go in with an untested driver. Regardless of how one may think that loyalty lies beneath the breastplates of one's kin, family does not have relevance when it comes to crime. He looked the part, to be sure - tattoos, bald head, intimidating groom and attire. Undoubtedly his stare was practiced in the looking glass same as the rest of his appearance. He talked the part loudly, which should have given away his lack of heart and yet because he was my blood, because he has the pedigree of our clan, our roots deep in murk of the slums where the reputation and words of our heritage precede our actionability, I believed him worthy of even the menial yet important task of escape. His prowess at the wheel I do know well, many a time when the safety of our freedom was not at risk he showed superior agility in even the heaviest of traffic and vessel. Whence the volley of thunder commenced and combat ensued, my weapon discharged every cartridge, some of which found their way in two hearts of the men of whose place of residence we raided. My companion Keys, my ace-boon and brother not of my blood fought heartily as a champion come to claim his prize! Aye, he was a true warrior and friend, and though he smote the remaining mark whose only weapon was a measly .22 calibre pistol, one round found and severed an important artery, and my friend was mortally wounded. As we took our plunder as quickly as possible, Keys found himself weakening. T'will be alright, I assured him, we will get you medical attention. Have no fear for Chuck Bonnie, prince in our family shall lead us to safety. I helped my dying comrade outside only to find that we had been abandoned to adversity. I had no choice - I stood with my brother as he died in these arms. There was no cause to fight as I had no effective means, depleted of rounds, my wingman slain with no flight to safety, surrender was my only option. I have the rest of eternity to sit, rotting within these walls built for two, at the bottom of a three-man bunk. I shall perish here, watching men come and go, fighting insanity and desperate inmates. You two I consider my friends and there will come the time when one will take the place of another, and shall I carry on in such a peaceful and cooperative manner with the next man? Methinks it far better that a skilled warrior enter these walls after the two of you leave and slit my throat as I lie sleeping. I could not stand the idea of either of my friends bearing witness to my demise, nor the endangerment of your scheduled release. I have nothing but time to consider my past until then."
Protege looked upon Ali, whom despite appearing asleep with eyes wide open on the top rack, had taken every word with deep consideration. He sat on the toilet and spoke to Epitaph, who by now lie on his place on the bunk at the bottom rack, "Epitaph, thou hast been a considerable host from the time of my arrival, and I expect nothing more until the day of my release. Thou art as close to a friend as one may have under such circumstances. I beg your pardon for what I am about to say, as I mean no disrespect, but methinks your perspective too - how should I put it? Abilities are at times obscured by the consequences of which none are able to change. Yet, all are able to glean wisdom from mistakes and pass that along to those who may listen. Will thy eternity be spent on remembering the erroneous and learning nothing from it? Will no book be read on history, no philosophy find comparison to the actions that have brought thee to such justice that no lesson will be taught? Thou hast the ability to grow wise and teach those who would pass through this stale structure of steel and concrete. Without realizing, I have learned much from thy brooding and recollection. I shall be released some day and so shall Ali, of whom he may say little, yet has he also the same opportunity for lesson and wisdom alike. I look to the future. I shall think many times over any consequence that may arise from situations where temptation to take from the next pile may find presence of my company. Never again will prison be my fate. I have learned these lessons from the words that echo through these walls. These halls patrolled by guards that have neither emotion nor regard for the welfare of the inhabitants herein, these cells built to house two at a time with bunks modified to sleep three are only the first of many beuracratic accomodations to the mistakes that young and stupid make on a daily basis. Two meals per day will soon be one. The young are not learning outside and like myself, will have found wisdom only in this institution of corrections. My friend, thou hast taught many lessons without intending. Thy war stories are parables with application to a man who will find himself in the slums soon after his release, however, with such knowledge I will rise from the muck to a higher station. I look to the future, and advise thee to do the same so that thou may teach those who would teach. I shall be released and I shall teach those, that they may avoid this place. What sayest thou, Ali? Hast thou learned nothing from our friend Epitaph? Wilst thou lie in silence or concur?"
Ali blinked twice, closed his eyes then spoke, "Aye. Plenty I have learnt within these walls. Plenty I have learnt from my friends and companions herein. Nothing I have found to be of application, however. My crime is not of murder - I have thought this through many times. My crime is that of love. Hast thou Epitaph, hast thou Protoge learnt of the details of this cursed incarceration?"
Epitaph replied "Nay, I have no knowledge of the details of what brought you here."
Protege added, "I know simply that it was over a woman."
Ali continued, "Aye. T'was over a woman. I loved her with all my heart, and foolishly I continue to love her. I have divulged no information to anyone, not even at my own trial. I stood no chance before the eyes of the law and was judged harshly by the jury of twelve. I did not want her name nor honor trashed about as sewage in the mouths of others of whom no understanding would come. An extortionist came to her with a secret from her past."
Epitaph interrupted, "My friend, 'tis not necessary to divulge such secrets."
"Nay. 'Tis high time I spoke on it. Thou'rt both my friends, and I have knowledge no details shall leave these walls with your freedom. I want you both to know. You shall not know this secret, but the rest of the details shall you know."
Protege responded, "do continue friend."
"He threatened to divide our love by bringing forth this secret, with the assumption I would abandon her. He did not understand our love. She came with tears in her eyes and a tear in her heart. I did not know how to respond at first, however, I remained with poise and a clear head. I told her to tell the fiend that I knew of her past, that it did not matter - our love was too strong to be shredded by any miscue of youth. We would pay his ransom and he would leave us be. She did as I instructed; we paid his cost and thought ourselves free, as ever in love as before. Two-hundred twenty-three days passed and he came into contact again. This time he pledged to smear her name to all she held dear, every friend, relative and even petty acquaintance, co-worker and stranger he passed in traffic. He had upped his demands, requiring cash and sexual favors. I grew angry with rage. I agreed that we would meet at the inn on the outskirts of town. I told my beloved to pack her bags and leave town. She tried to reason, but knew I would not relent. Reluctantly she left to her parents' in Los Angeles. I grabbed my pistol-grip shotgun, five double-ought rounds and headed to the room. I knocked on the door and he let me in. He was strung out on heroine so badly that I don't think he realized I was armed. he turned his back and I let out every round. There was nothing left but a headless stump. The secret is stained on the walls and floor of that room. Some say it was over a woman - this is not true. It was over MY woman! I hope to see her when I leave, but I don't know."
Epitaph asked, "Hast thou not heard any news? No letter, visit, nothing?"
"Nay. I have not seen her. No visit, no letter - she did not appear at any court date. I shall spend the rest of my time here thinking about her, as I have done many days already. I shall spend my freedom trying to find her. We shall be reunited."
Protege looked at Ali. He remained stretched out on his bunk, never once moving as he spoke. "Ali, she may have moved on. She may have put it all behind her and started anew. Thou hast been locked down for quite some time with no news. It is possible she has had one or two little ones by now."
Ali remained calm and undemonstrative. "'Tis possible. But I know our love is strong. She is the only thing that keeps me living, else I should have perished by now. I shall find worry of such things when they are found with her. Until then, I must keep on. Likewise, I think thou hast the right idea Protege. I will not teach, but will grow wise with Epitaph. The years will bring forth fish to form a school. And with our wisdom within these walls and your lessons outside, perhaps some good can come about. But I will pass on one important lesson: Lads, true love is worth everything. It is worth defending with one's life, with one's freedom. It is worth fighting and dying for, but most of all it is worth living for. That is the wisdom I shall pass on; I regret nothing."
This was the last time such a conversation was had amongst the three. All had learned from each other. Protege, true to his word, began to pass the lessons and wisdom from his older counterpart to the young of whom would listen. Epitaph and Ali found a new celly as young and teachable as Protege. Both grew wise, but only Epitaph would pass on his wisdom. By the time Ali was released, they had seen five younger inmates leave the walls to join in Protege's mission of teaching. Epitaph grew old and before he passed away, he noticed that the two man cells once again had only two inmates, some had only one. As for Ali, no one knew what became of him. Protege and Epitaph both heard rumors that he was alive and searching - it was believed that his spirit couldn't rest until he was reunited with his love.
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