The make shift jail cell, which used to be a storage bin, was cold and damp.  Fred replayed the night in his head trying to come up with an explanation; anything to justify his false imprisonment.   As he lay there, among the worst of Electroville, he thought of Ethel’s and Doris’ faces as they dragged him away from the Power Surge.  He sighed as he wondered if either would ever be able to forgive him… He found his emotions and thoughts lingering on Doris, and contemplated what this meant for him. 

Jimmy made his way to Fred, signing in for visitation.  “Fred! What happened?”  Fred told Jimmy his long sad story of Sally and his old addiction.  He swore he quit, but after hearing these news of Fred’s old ways, Jimmy’s view of Fred began to change.  How could Fred not of told him sooner?  He had seen the old has-beens, sitting dusty and miserable in piles hoping for just one more drop of ink.  He was thankful Fred never got to this point..but Jimmy was confused.  He left the jail cell full of thought and rushed back to Sue for comfort and advice.  Should he continue his quest to free Fred?

Doris’s bulbs beamed light red through the tears, as she quickly wiped them away to avoid rust, and electrocution.  She leaned against her cubicle wall as she watched Jimmy on his new mission to free Fred.  If he only knew what she knew; Fred would be free instantly.  Why was she hesitating?

 Ethel kept busy cleaning and dusting.  He mind often veering towards Fred, no matter how hard she tried not to let it.  She decided to head over to Doris’.  Once enemies, Ethel felt close to Doris, even though she didn’t know if Doris felt the same way.  They had a mutual affection towards someone that had been torn away like a paper being torn out of a typewriter.  Ethel approached Doris, relieved that she was received kindly.  She had to let it out, so she talked to Doris about her thoughts, their relationship, and everything she had ever kept secret.  She felt so relieved, as if a one of the “Big Ones” had come in and maintenance her themself.  Laughing and talking like old friends, they peered across the fluorescent lit carpet.  “Ethel”, Doris said quietly, “There is one more thing….”

To be continued…..

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