Ch.5First Day on the Job! (2)

#005

Dexter has met countless humans, no, aliens, on a cosmic scale.

Regardless of gender or species, there’s a tingling sensation that comes when observing people.

‘With this feeling, I should generally avoid them. What did they call these types again?’

According to one of Dexter’s Earth colleagues, they were called “lung-class.”

‘Right, lung-class. The Chief Correctional Officer is going to have a hard time.’

Whether by choice or circumstance, there was a strong sense that this person would cause many incidents.

‘Still, that’s not my problem.’

“…Now that everyone’s seen each other’s faces, try to get along. All three of you, go in.”

As Dexter moved toward Dan, Dan’s face looked grim.

“Ah, so it was him.”

“What do you mean?”

“There was a rumor that someone who couldn’t get into the Army, failed the police exam, and was rejected by the Corrections Department would be coming in through ‘connections.'”

The cleanup for such personnel usually falls to those who focus on managing new recruits.

“The Chief Correctional Officer is going to have a headache.”

“I know. Looks like he’ll be trouble for a while.”

“I’ll have to try my best to soothe things over.”

Dexter said something he didn’t really mean.

Dexter is the type who prefers to keep his distance from troublemakers rather than getting close to them.

“Furthermore, new correctional officers will be paired with senior officers. Officer Goswell with Officer Jones, Officer Lawrence with Officer Rodriguez, and Officer Hughes with…”

“I’ll take him.”

Dan raised his hand high and raised his eyebrows at Dexter.

‘Well, I guess it’s better to be with someone whose personality you already know than a complete stranger.’

“Really? Or Diaz could take him. Parker, any objections?”

When Raymond pointed at the chubby officer with his pen, the officer nodded and replied.

“None whatsoever.”

“Good, next. Area assignments. Since we have new officers this week, assignments will remain fixed for five days to avoid confusion.”

“Oh, come on, Raymond.”

“Working five days straight? Is that reasonable?”

“Quiet. Medium Security Facility Block 1, Brown, Johnson, Sealing, Bates…”

Unlike the other officers voicing complaints, Dan had already put a lollipop in his mouth and was rolling it around.

“Why are they so unhappy?”

“You know our prison work hours. Of course they hate having to work more.”

Dexter was aware that correctional officers worked 12-hour shifts, three days on and two days off.

‘Isn’t that standard? I used to eat, sleep, and live on a spaceship.’

For Dexter, who was accustomed to hellish work where waking meant starting work and lying down meant ending it, this seemed perfectly normal.

“Isn’t this just standard? I really don’t understand.”

“Wow, you definitely shouldn’t be a correctional officer in Albuquerque.”

“Why not?”

“If this is considered normal in Albuquerque, that place must be hell, right?”

When Dan made his snide remark, Dexter gave a bitter smile.

“Medium Security Facility Block 2, Robinson, Harper, Stanton, Aaron, Diaz…”

“Block 2 isn’t bad.”

Before Raymond finished speaking, Dan gestured for Dexter to follow him.

“Where is 2A?”

“Right next door. Closest to the main entrance. Be thankful we’re not in Block 4.”

“What, are there demons living in Block 4?”

“Even demons would run away. New officers assigned to Block 4 from the start would probably wet themselves. Hehe.”

Dexter figured that each block must have different levels of inmate aggression.

He didn’t think Dan was just trying to scare him.

‘Is Block 2 relatively docile?’

Dexter couldn’t tell yet.

He thought he should try to get a feel for the prison atmosphere during these five days.

As the two headed toward Block 2, Dexter began to notice the peculiar building structure.

‘Hourglass shape.’

All four medium security facility blocks were rectangular buildings sandwiched between two triangular sections.

The triangular sections contained two-person cells where inmates lived, while the rectangular section was where officers were stationed for security and rest, known as the “staff area.”

It was designed to make it easy to monitor inmates with minimal staff.

“Well, look who it is. Parker, were you on night shift yesterday?”

“Don’t remind me. I’m dead tired. Thinking about quitting this job.”

A gray-haired officer transitioning from middle to old age greeted Dan from a desk in the staff area.

“Come on, you’re still in your prime. Hughes, this is David Parker who handles the night shift. Parker, this is Dexter Hughes, an experienced new hire.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

After shaking hands with Dexter, David was stretching his arms and shoulders before finishing his final duties.

“Anything unusual?”

“Nothing, nothing. Oh, heard we’re getting new inmates in a few days. Did you hear about that?”

As David handed over a clipboard, Dan took it and wrote something with his pen while answering.

“Why, anyone interesting?”

“There’s that famous thief from Tennessee. The one who specialized in stealing classic cars, making old folks like me go crazy.”

“Ah, right. Famous for wearing a Guy Fawkes mask while stealing. What was the nickname? Old Fawkes?”

“That’s right, Old Fawkes. Who would’ve thought it was a woman?”

After chatting for a few minutes, David gathered two manual counters and a folder from the desk.

David looked at Dan, who checked his wristwatch and nodded.

With Dan’s nod, David turned on the microphone.

-Five minutes until roll call.

Though David spoke softly, his voice boomed through the speakers, echoing throughout the building as all cell doors opened with an electronic sound.

“Another fucking day begins.”

“Sis, your parole is coming up soon, isn’t it?”

“That’s that, and this is this. Damn it.”

“Shut your mouth, will you? So fucking noisy first thing in the morning.”

“Mind your own business, bitch.”

Voices rang out from each cell.

Though individual voices weren’t loud, the combined sound of about 300 people speaking at once created quite a commotion.

“Quiet, quiet! Who’s talking during roll call?”

At Dan’s words, the voices immediately died down.

“You have to be completely quiet during roll call.”

Dan said with his hands on his hips.

Dexter seemed to agree, nodding his head.

“Starting with Cell 1, beginning with Cell 1.”

David announced the roll call through the microphone, and as the two men began to move, Dexter followed.

The folder Dan and David carried was filled with cell numbers and names.

Entering Cell 1, two inmates were pressed against the wall.

“Mace.”

“Here.”

“Ryan.”

“Present.”

David confirmed the headcount with the counter, while Dan checked off names on the folder as they moved through the cells.

This continued for about 10 minutes.

The last was Cell 168.

“…Cell 168 also has the correct number.”

“No special announcements today, right? I think we just need to inform them of the schedule.”

Dan nodded at David’s words.

“Me? Or David?”

“You do it. Ah, I need to prepare to go home now. My bones are aching.”

“Haha, you keep complaining but you’re still in your prime.”

Dan laughed off David’s complaints and took the microphone.

“Inmates, good morning. At 6:30, you’ll be able to clean your cells and assigned areas. At 7:00 sharp, we’ll be collecting laundry, so everyone remember to prepare. The afternoon schedule is…”

After announcing the day’s schedule, Dan turned off the microphone, stretched, and said:

“Now we need to go supervise?”

“Can I go separately?”

“Sure. Or should I hold your hand and go together?”

“Ha, I’m good.”

Leaving the staff area and heading toward the cells, the atmosphere was quite busy.

Inmates in orange and khaki uniforms were mopping floors or moving trash cans, bustling about.

Although their expressions and gestures clearly showed they didn’t want to do it, it was still their living space.

Seeing the busy inmates reminded Dexter of old times.

‘Was it when I shared a ship with that ex-space marine? What was his name? Pangchura?’

The cargo ship Dexter was on at the time was narrower than other cargo ships, requiring manual carrying to move goods.

When loading and unloading cargo on different planets, there were workers responsible for the transport, including Dexter and Pangchura.

It wasn’t complicated work, but it was very tiring with little rest time, making it a job that even strong aliens avoided.

‘What did Pangchura say to that new worker? Assei?’

The new worker was naturally less adapted and had less strength, so he frequently dropped items.

Pangchura couldn’t tolerate such behavior.

Slapping the worker who was lying on the floor gasping for breath, Pangchura had said:

“Assei! Move with evil.”

“Ugh, what?”

“This loading job is one you chose. Move with evil.”

Whether out of fear of Pangchura or anger, the new worker didn’t drop any cargo for the rest of the day.

After that incident, when Dexter finished his shift and was heading to the bathroom before bed, he saw two people standing in front of the cargo hold door.

“Assei, no one will clean up the cargo you accidentally drop. Not on our ship, not anywhere. If you make a mistake, you must fix it yourself. That’s why I told you to move it again.”

Pangchura handed him a cigarette and said:

“To prevent that from happening, push through with evil and strength, Assei!”

“Thank you, Mr. Pangchura!”

‘What nonsense is that?’

The new worker, deeply moved by those incoherent words, stuck close to Pangchura until they were both expelled from the ship.

‘For cargo theft and embezzlement.’

They had been up to no good behind all that posturing.

‘All sorts of things happened.’

While Dexter was lost in old memories, two inmates cleaning a nearby cell began whispering.

“Who’s that?”

“Don’t know, must be a new CO.”

“Should we talk to him?”

Hearing the sudden whispering, Dexter turned toward the inmates.

“Is there a problem?”

“Ah, no. Nothing.”

“Carry on with your work.”

As Dexter walked away, one inmate expressed frustration in a low voice.

“I thought you were going to talk to him!”

“Is that easy for you?”

“Then why did you say…”

“What are you two doing?”

Another inmate appeared between the bickering pair.

When she appeared silently, the two inmates froze.

“J-Jessie. What brings you here?”

“Where else would I go in prison? What’s going on? What are you two fussing about?”

As Jessie casually approached and put her arms around their shoulders, the two inmates couldn’t move.

“No, it’s just about that new CO…”

“CO? A new one? I only saw Diaz and the old man earlier.”

“He was waiting outside during roll call…”

“Oh, so there really is a new one?”

Jessie licked her lips.

“I should get a proper look at his face. Thanks, carry on.”

As Jessie followed after Dexter, the two inmates gulped.

“Are you marked by the new CO?”

“I-I don’t know. I don’t want to think about it anymore.”

“Me neither.”

The two inmates fled in the opposite direction, trying to get as far away from Jessie and Dexter as possible.