“Yeah, man. Lawyers, judges, bitches giving ass to make you do shit. Nobody wants to take responsibility for nuthin’ no more. It’s a damn disgrace. God bless America but we need to get our shit together in this country.”

Knox clenched his teeth. “Did she get three life sentences?”

“The bitch? Hell no! Blamed it all on me. And she’s married again and sitting pretty with all that insurance money, while my ass rots in here. Called me a maniac at my trial. And we had cocktails together, man. I swear to God.”

“Sounds like you needed a better lawyer. But then again I think you’re right where you need to be, Donny. Now why don’t you go find another corner to hang out on?” Knox said, taking a menacing step toward the man.

Before Donny could move, Stone hooked him by the arm even as one of the tower guards stared down at them, his hands perched on the trigger guard of the AK.

“Hey, Donny, you been in many prisons?” Stone asked.

“Me? Hell yeah. This here’s my fourth one. And my second supermax,” he added with pride.

“Why’d you get sent to Dead Rock?”

“Hit a guard. They ain’t like it when you hit them, but they sure as hell don’t mind busting our asses, do they?”

“Yep, life’s real unfair,” Knox exclaimed.

“I bet you’re a guy notices stuff. Notice anything weird around here?” Stone said.

“Notice stuff? Man, we only get one hour out a day. Half for chow, half for this recreation shit. Twenty-three hours and two meals in the old eight-by-twelve after that. Ain’t much time to notice stuff.”

While they were talking the man bouncing the ball let it get away from him. It rolled past the blue line. He went to get it.

“Oh, hell,” said Knox, who had just noticed this. “Hey, buddy!”

The man either didn’t hear him or didn’t care. He crossed the line and the bullet hit him right in the back. He went down, face first. Stone and Knox started to run toward him, but other shots were fired and they pulled up.

As they watched, two guards sauntered over and picked the man up. There was no blood, Stone noted.

Donny said, “They use those damn dummy bullets if it’s your first time. Hurt like hell. Knock your ass out, but it ain’t kill you. Now, if it’s your second time, well, you ain’t gonna be around for a third time, get my drift?”

They returned to their corner as the unconscious man was carried away.

Stone continued their previous conversation. “What about the prison library? Classes? Workshop? You notice anything there?”