Ch.26Succubus!

#026

If someone were to drop another task on you just as you’re preparing to leave work, any employee would feel immense irritation and anger, even if they didn’t show it outwardly.

Dexter had experienced this a few times himself, so he understood that feeling well.

That’s why he didn’t send the information that would help Agent Himena’s investigation last evening, but instead sent it as a message when he arrived at work.

>I’ve confirmed that the bodily fluid is from an alien, and I’ve figured out how the perception-inhibiting fabric was leaked. Let’s talk briefly around lunchtime.

No sooner had he sent it than a reply came back.

-Really??????? Got it, I’ll call you at lunch!! XOXOXOXO…

Dexter found himself smirking involuntarily at the parade of XOs stretching across his screen.

“Someone might mistake you for my boyfriend.”

XO.

The reason for writing multiple Xs, meaning kisses, and Os, meaning hugs, is to replace the closing phrase “With love” that people use at the end of letters or emails.

However, it’s a term used between close friends without formality, especially in female-female friendships, or between romantic partners.

‘I guess she’s just that grateful to me, whatever.’

Dexter dismissed Agent Himena’s message and sat on the infirmary sofa, writing in his probation journal.

Even though it was called a probation journal, it was just a place to note any unusual circumstances regarding inmates under probation, so there wasn’t much to write, and he was jotting things down rather perfunctorily.

“Today the probation subject Jesse Blueberg… has been doing rehabilitation exercises according to the nurse’s instructions since his injury… is not defying the doctor’s and nurse’s orders… and is adapting well…”

Dexter chewed on his pen, wondering if there was anything else to add.

Since these journals could help with future parole hearings, it was best to write them as favorably as possible.

‘I should at least do this much for him.’

As Dexter was writing the journal, employing every word he knew, the infirmary’s glass door suddenly swung open.

“Is, is the doc-doctor in?”

Standing with an Indian inmate was someone Dexter had only met once before.

‘Lawrence?’

It was Gomer, the man Dexter had labeled as F-tier.

Sitting on the sofa in place of the nurse who was briefly away, Dexter responded.

“The nurse stepped out for a moment. What brings you here?”

“The, the in-inmate is in-injured.”

“I keep telling you I’m fine.”

The inmate’s gaze toward Gomer was quite sharp.

“Where are you injured?”

“Please calm down this idiot guard. I just got cut by some equipment while cleaning, and he’s making a huge fuss about nothing.”

As the inmate looked at Dexter and spoke, Gomer started stuttering again.

“When an in-inmate is injured, a gu-guard has the duty to re-report to the infirmary…”

“Officer Lawrence? You’re not wrong, but shouldn’t we act with some flexibility in these situations?”

“Bu-but…”

“Where the hell did Gomer go?!”

A middle-aged guard with a military-style crew cut rushed into the infirmary, panting.

“Gomer!! Didn’t I clearly tell you not to take inmates to the infirmary if it’s not serious?!”

“When an in-inmate is injured…”

“Hey, you idiot!!! You should at least report before moving!! Do you know Block 2 is in chaos because the headcount doesn’t match?!!!”

“But…”

“No buts, you moron!!!”

Thanks to Gomer’s persistent back-talk, a vein was bulging on the middle-aged guard’s forehead.

Unable to watch any longer, Dexter tried to calm the middle-aged guard.

“Um, Officer Lopez. Since this is the infirmary, you should lower your voice a bit…”

“…Ah, sorry. I just got heated because of that idiot… You’re Officer Hughes, right? The one who came in at the same time as him?”

As the fuming Lopez looked at Dexter, Dexter nodded, sensing the murderous intent in Lopez’s eyes.

“Yes, that’s right. Um, I’ll talk some sense into Officer Lawrence, so maybe you should head back to Block 2 first. Would that be alright?”

Sensing trouble brewing, Dexter decided to separate Gomer and Lopez.

“…Please, just talk some sense into that idiot. He’s driving me crazy…”

Officer Lopez seemed about to say more but held back, sighing deeply as he left the infirmary. Dexter then turned to Gomer.

“What’s going on here?”

“You’ll understand right away if you work with this moron, Officer.”

The inmate started to sneer.

“Roll call? He can’t even count properly. Security? When this guard is on duty, it’s party time for us. He can’t even serve food. How can someone fail at putting food on trays?”

It seemed he was a problem guard who annoyed even the inmates.

“It’s really just a minor cut, okay? Just talk some sense into this idiot and send me back quickly.”

Usually, inmates want to skip cleaning time, but this one was refusing to skip it and wanted to get away from Gomer as soon as possible.

‘Just how F-tier is this guy?’

Dexter couldn’t quite grasp it, but decided to explain things slowly to Gomer.

“Alright, Officer Lawrence. Since we’re colleagues, I’ll speak casually for a moment. Is that okay?”

“Y-yes. That’s f-fine.”

Dexter scratched his cheek with his finger and began explaining.

“Okay, I’ll speak casually for a bit. According to regulations, when an inmate has a problem, it’s correct to bring them to the infirmary. But what did you do wrong, Officer Lawrence?”

“I ju-judged it was an emergency and first…”

“No, there’s something more important than that. You had a senior officer, Officer Lopez, present but you didn’t talk to him before bringing the inmate. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Dexter explained as clearly as possible.

“So, even in an emer-emergency, I should re-report first?”

“No, this wasn’t an emergency to begin with. And was Officer Lopez there or not?”

“He-he was.”

“Then shouldn’t you obviously talk to the senior officer first?”

“Bu-but according to the guard manual…”

Dexter felt his breath catch for a moment.

‘No wonder people get angry at him.’

“Okay, let’s create a scenario. Today, an inmate is found in his cell with a serious injury. What should Officer Lawrence do?”

“Fi-first, I should broadcast the si-situation over the radio…?”

“That’s right. Here, an inmate is lying with blood pouring from his head. Try reporting it as a simulation.”

“Th-this is Of-Officer La-Lawrence. Re-reporting from Bl-Block 2 of the me-medium security fa-facility…”

“Then no one can help you. If you speak as slowly and stutter as much as Officer Lawrence, no one can help you. Do you understand what I mean?”

Dexter continued, pretending to hold a radio.

“This is Officer Lawrence, reporting from Block 2 of the medium security facility. An inmate has a large wound on his forehead and is bleeding. Quick, clear, accurate. Got it?”

“Y-yes, I understand.”

“No, I don’t think you do. Put your forehead here. Quickly. How many flicks do you want?”

Dexter prepared to flick Gomer’s forehead.

“Ju-just one…”

“Is that enough? Do you think that will do it? Alright.”

Dexter gave him a very light flick and continued.

“Now, an inmate suddenly collapses in the vocational training area. What should you do?”

“Re-report first.”

This time, Officer Lawrence was able to report clearly, though still with a slight stutter.

“Yes, that’s how you do it. Can you make sure Officer Lopez doesn’t get angry with you later? You won’t forget?”

“I-I won’t forget.”

“Good, that’s great.”

As Dexter patted Gomer’s shoulder, the inmate who had been watching silently looked at both Dexter and Gomer with an incredulous expression.

“It’s like watching someone teach a slow child.”

“What’s going on?”

Just then, the day shift nurse who had been away returned to the infirmary.

“Ah, the inmate says he’s injured, but it doesn’t seem serious.”

“It’s just a small cut.”

“Is that so? Come this way.”

As the nurse took the inmate to the treatment room, Dexter turned to Gomer.

“Most situations aren’t emergencies, so report first and then act. Understand?”

“Y-yes, I understand. Th-thank you.”

“We’re colleagues, it’s nothing. Just speak comfortably with me.”

Gomer nodded, and Dexter patted his shoulder.

“Good, take the inmate back to Block 2 once he’s treated.”

Soon the inmate emerged from the treatment room with a bandage on his palm, and Dexter gestured for Gomer to escort him out of the infirmary.

As Gomer left, the door to the examination room opened, and Yelena poked her head out.

“Is it over?”

“Yelena, weren’t you sleeping?”

“I just got to work, why would I be sleeping? What do you take me for?”

Dexter chuckled at Yelena’s expression, which seemed to say she’d seen it all.

“It was so noisy, but you didn’t say anything until now, so I thought…”

“Oh please, don’t even get me started. Do you know how infuriating it is to exchange even a few words with that guard? You must know too, Officer Hughes? I can’t believe people like that exist, really.”

Dexter sympathized with Yelena’s words.

“He’s definitely not an ordinary person.”

“I wonder if he has borderline intellectual disability. Should I suggest he get tested?”

Dexter shrugged at Yelena’s words.

“If it were me, I wouldn’t do it. It would be too frustrating.”

“I guess you’re right. Come on, it’s morning, have some tea, Officer Hughes. Oh, by the way, do you have a girlfriend? I know a nice young lady, pretty like me. Hohoho.”

“Huh? Oh, is that so?”

As Dexter, unable to keep up with Yelena’s rapid-fire conversation, just nodded his head, he noticed Jesse pressed against the hospital room door, glaring at him.

“Uh, I’ll pass on the young lady. Let’s just have tea. It would be nice if you could give him a cup too.”

Dexter pointed to Jesse, who was stuck to the door.

“My goodness, look at you caring for the inmate. People like you should be senior officers, not those who only care about their own promotions…”

“Promotion?”

“Didn’t you know? The reason Miss Blueberg came here instead of going to a medical detention center is because the senior officer asked if she could be kept here long-term. You didn’t know?”

This was obviously the first time Dexter had heard this.

“I had no idea. I just did what I was told.”

“My goodness, how could they not tell a junior officer something like that and just assign you work? Who’s that cold-blooded? Goodness gracious. The warden and the senior officer, what’s wrong with this place? Should I tell the prison director?”

Dexter shrugged at Yelena’s words.

“I wouldn’t know. It’s best not to get involved in these things.”

“Anyway, they say you shouldn’t get close to people obsessed with promotions…”

As Yelena’s rapid-fire conversation started again, Dexter temporarily switched off his brain and just nodded along.

‘It’s best to just let this kind of chatter wash over you.’

And so another morning shift was passing by.