Big Ricky the Rastafarian was rolling himself a joint. Sadie knew that if Lewis was out of it, Ricky would be the next contender for the crown. He was big enough and violent enough to take over. Already Lewis’s henchmen were ingratiating themselves with him. Sadie was pleased. Ricky was all right. He was prison-minded, he left the gays alone and only really hated nonces. There was a big difference in the men’s attitude towards consenting males and men who touched little boys or girls.

Chopper was sitting alone in front of the television watching an old black and white movie on Channel Four. Sadie watched as Lana Turner sat on the bedside of her maid and cried bitter tears.

‘Imitation of Life! I love this film.’ She sat by Chopper and three other men who were also engrossed in the film. ‘I love the bit where she goes to the night club to get her daughter and pretends she’s her maid.’

Chopper nodded. ‘I know, it guts you watching it.’ He leant out of his chair. ‘Turn that fucking wogbox off, will you? I’m trying to watch me film!’

The music was hastily turned off. Ricky stood up and switched it back on, turning the volume up full. Steel Pulse blared out into the room. The strains of their song ‘Ku Klux Klan’ were audible to everyone in the Wing.

Chopper stood up menacingly and Ricky flexed his muscles. Everyone had been waiting for this all day. Someone had to take over the Wing, and the main betting was on Ricky, a known lunatic.

‘Calm down, lads. Let’s see what the score is first.’ Georgio’s voice was loud. ‘Lewis has had a kidney removed. Let’s see whether or not he gets back home safe and sound, shall we, before the Third World War erupts?’

Lewis’s henchmen stood back from Ricky, unsure what to do.

‘Fuck Lewis, Brunos, and fuck you and all, you Greek ponce!’ Ricky’s voice was loud. ‘This is between me and him.’

Chopper slipped off his denim shirt. Excitement was mounting in the room. Six wardens arrived and as they had all had a good shaking down from the Governor, they did what they were paid for.

Broke up the fight before it started.

The last thing they needed today was another incident, another killing. It was much better in their eyes when the criminals hanged one another. That you could smooth over with the Home Office.

‘Come on, lads, this ain’t the time or the place. Lewis ain’t dead yet. The Governor’s like a cat with a sore arse as it is, don’t give him more reasons to take away your privileges.’

The tension in the room was tangible. At some point someone had turned off both the TV and the cassette player.

Ricky and Chopper stared into each other’s eyes.