St. Eubrie: Ripe for the Pickin (292 hits)
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Submitted by badassmofo (View user info) at 2006-08-08 10:25:45 EDT
The Grifter Part 1
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When he spoke of it from the corner of that dank and lonely cell his eyes lit up like a kid at a carnival watching the fireworks show from atop the Ferris wheel. He fidgeted around on his bunk, wriggling with the excitement that an imprisoned man shouldn't know.
"they's a grocery and a bank, houses galore....a low man could makes himself a goot livin out there in St. Eubrie." The old timer spouted.
With my best poker face I just nodded and gave a half smile, sure this old man was never getting out of here...but I was...and shortly. And why would I want to let on that after listening to all of his stories and tales of unfulfilled debauchery, that I was headed to St. Eubrie, headed to this haven of middle American blind faith and trust in others?
'but they's secrets out there too, mind ya" he said "folks in St. Eubrie is always lookin for the grift...don' let them fools ya."
I remember thinking, as I smothered the old man my last night, that he had given me such a great gift; knowledge of the town, of its layout and major players. I had been plotting for the last month and it actually made the end of my time faster. What a blessing he had bestowed me I thought as he kicked and thrashed, but I certainly couldn't have him passing along what he'd told me to the next schmuck, nor did I need loose ends.
Besides, who's really going to miss a lonely convict rank with the stench of time served and old regret.
I washed my hands and went to sleep with the excitement of tomorrows release and my upcoming adventures spinning around in my head, inwardly restless and busting at the seams; outwardly calm and my usual monotone self.
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"Wayne Michael Cole you are hereby released from Whiteville Correctional Facility, having served your time and owing no more debt to society" the warden said and with that they handed me my belongings.
"One box civilian clothing to include 1 pair blue jeans, 1 pair white socks, 1 black t-shirt, 1 blue flannel shirt, 1 jacket, 1 wallet, and 1 Zippo type lighter." They called out as I began dressing in my civilians again.
"In addition, 1 voucher for taxi ride to the bus station and 1 check in the amount of $414.06."
Four hundred and fourteen bucks to my name, surely enough to get me a bus ticket to where I was headed, certainly not enough to begin any sort of rehabilitated lifestyle.
I stood up and put my jacket on, pocketed my wallet and check and made my way towards the gate.
I stopped once and looked back at the warden; I could still see the fear in his eyes that I saw every time he talked to me. How a man of that sort of stature could land a job as prison warden is beyond me.
I winked at him once and turned and walked out of Whitesville, closing one chapter and starting another.
This time though, I'm starting a chapter about a free man.
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The ride was long and being on a bus that long wears on a man having spent a few years locked in a cell. Crying babies, stinking drunks and nothing but flat plains and tumbleweeds to watch for days is enough to drive just about any man crazy.
I did happen upon a little extra jingle at one of the bus stops, not to say the man didn't put up a fight but in the end it's always the most committed that'll win out.
Shame though, his nice boots didn't fit me, I'd been trying to ride myself of these prison shoes since I left.
As we pulled into the station I felt that old feeling of anticipation grow, my stomach began to rumble and flop and my hands shook a bit.
The smell of a new town and the eyes of new faces fell on me; I put on my most unassuming face and head towards the town center. I was bent on finding a bar, surely some bourbon would calm me before I started making my moves and hopefully I can gain some info amongst the drunken standards.
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"Sure it's called The Dirty Habit and it's up two blocks, go left for a block and you'll see it on the right" the unknown gentleman said as he looked nervously at me.
"Thank ya kindly sir, have a good day now." I said, doing my best to seem friendly and to take him off tilt.
He tipped his hat and I set off for the Dirty Habit as it was called.
A drink or two would be fine.
Some conversation with a few locals, maybe even pick up a tip or two on a place to stay or some work I could pick up.
Things were going well, the old man was right though; these people came across as your best friend but you could the deceit, the backroom affairs and quite whispering doubts in their eyes if you looked close enough.
I think I'm going to like it here in St. Eubrie.
Going to like it just fine.
User Reviews
Submitted by UnderOathMeal (user info) at 2006-08-31 11:40:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
No Comment
Submitted by houseman (user info) at 2006-08-08 16:58:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Interesting twist