Eetoo stood on his square of the stage-wood painted white, worn over the years by the feet that tread upon it-, his fist clenched and his jaw set. He examined the double rows of criminals across from him. Each one was dressed in white, some wearing ridiculous costumes. The harsh voice of the prison guard caught his attention, and he watched as the boy next to him- dressed in black, the same as himself- stepped forward two squares, coming to rest on another black square. Eetoo's gaze passed over him with curiosity. The child couldn't be older than thirteen, and yet he stood on this stage, in the same row as Eetoo no less! Only the worst of the worst made it onto Eetoo's row in this game, they were the ones with the highest chance of being tapped out. The prison guard opposite Eetoo's own shouted a command and a tall man dressed in white, made taller by a top hat, strode diagonally, squeezing in between two others dressed in the same color and made his way to a new square. His face was pale and Eetoo watched with pity as the man leaned over and retched. Eetoo felt his own stomach turn, and clenched his stomach. All the prisoner's nerves were stretched taut, and this would be a common sight through the rest of the time. Two commands later and the top hat man moved again, this time squeezing past Eetoo and stopping in front of a large woman dressed in a dyed black soldier uniform.
The woman backed away, shouting. The top hat man reached out a shaking hand and tapped her on the shoulder. Guards appeared from seemingly nowhere and grabbed at the struggling woman. Eetoo watched in horror and sympathy as she disappeared off the stage. Several moments later a gun shot rand through the sky, and the crowd surrounding the stage roared with approval. Eetoo fought the revulsion and rage that swept through him. How could they enjoy this? How could these people crowd around the stage and watch as mostly innocent people were killed? How could they stand by and cheer as a lowly con received the same punishment as that of a murderer?
You were one of them. The ever present, ever nagging voice in the back of Eetoo's head reminded him. Yes, but I'm a murderer. I'm SUPPOSED to like death, he shot back. The voice silenced, but still left Eetoo with a feeling of heavy guilt and hypocrisy. He had as well. He had been just as bad as them, cheering when someone was tapped out, throwing cruel taunts when someone cried or puked. The game progressed quickly and he watched with intensity, waiting for himself to be commanded to move. The crowd hushed in anticipation as a young woman dressed in all white, very fancy clothes walked forward. She stood just in front of a short man in a black dress suit. She quickly tapped him on the shoulder, mouthing the words:
"I'm sorry," as he was dragged away. The next moment a woman in equally regal clothes stepped in front of her, her black dress contrasting against the other woman's white. The order was called, and the woman in white tapped her victim. Immediately, the black dress woman was gone, and the one in white stepped forward.
An order, this time from Eetoo's side.
A man in rich black clothing tapped the woman in white's shoulder.
The guards appeared once more, dragging her away.
A few moments passed.
A gunshot rang in the air.
Cheers could be heard for miles, Eetoo guessed.
The game continued, one command, one gunshot, one death after another.
How had he gotten there? How had he become caught in the web that was the public's favorite game, and the government's favorite way to make room in the prisons? He had an anger issue, sure, but that couldn't be enough to get everyone's favorite radio DJ thrown in jail, could it? Depending on what happened because of it, then yes. Yes it could
Eetoo's head snapped up at the sound of cheering. An older woman dressed the same as him was now being adorned in beautiful black robes. A smile curved across the broken man's lips.
"Congratulations." He whispered hoarsely. Perhaps now he had a chance to live. His team had slowly lowered to him and three others. With this girl's promotion, perhaps they could win. Perhaps he could go free, perhaps he would be able to taste the sweet, wonderful, fresh air. Perhaps he could beg forgiveness from his in-laws for-
A chubby man dressed in white stepped next to him, and he felt his heart stop. No. It couldn't- he couldn't- it wasn't possible-
"No!" He yelled, his voice lost over the yells of the crowd. A command from his side and he watched as one of his teammates strode forward, throwing him a pitying glance. His prison guard had ignored his danger. He couldn't believe it. "No!" He yelled again, falling to his knees. It wasn't fair! He had been so close! So close to that freedom he had so dearly craved. So close to being free for the first time in years. He didn't hear the command, nor feel the tap on his shoulder. He felt the rough arms of the prison guards on his and immediately pulled forward with all his strength. Sadly, all his strength wasn't even enough to pull the guards forward even slightly. He struggled as they pulled him back, held back tears burning his eyes. The crowds jeers assaulted his ears as he was pulled off the stage.
"No! Please!" He screamed, pulling forward. The rough arms pushed him through a curtain, and placed him firmly into a chair. His legs were timed down, and his arms held back. A gag cut into the sides of his mouth as they tied it tight, and blind folded him. The wardens voice began to speak.
"Eetoo Pnaw, five years ago you were sentenced to the New York state penitentiary for the remainder of your natural life for the murder of your wife Lillith Pnaw, and Ricard Marst. Due to over population within the prison, you were given the chance for early parole. Because you failed at attaining this parole, you have been sentenced to death, effective immediately. May God have mercy on your soul."
Mercy on his soul?
Please. He couldn't even survive a game of chess.
Fantastic.
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