(For the Blogger censors ... this a work of FICTION - any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental. Language, situations and behaviors are only utilized within the confines of the post to enhance the story itself and do not represent any real-life circumstances in any way.)
"This is very good for us, Jus." Dave Mazurski and Justin Powers - two of the first prison guards to volunteer for Encapsulation - were sitting in the cafeteria. Over the past week, there had been a sea-change in the relationship between the Encapsulated and non-Encapsulated guards. There was a greater sense of camaraderie between the two groups; tensions and overall fears had greatly eased.
"I know... This can all be chalked up to Eddie Morgan getting Suited up. The divorce wasn't a surprise, but I still feel for him. At least this is a massive improvement for him personally - from going bald and having a beer belly to six-two, ripped and shredded - who could ask for more? All the other human guards are looking at Encapsulation in a completely different light now... since one of 'them' actually did it."
"Besides, Sheila was a tin-plated bitch. He was too good for her. All she did was belittle and browbeat the poor guy and spend money like water. I think the fact she got the house and most of the assets was the straw that broke the camel's back. He'll have a much better relationship with us. He's already happier. Jazz has made it his personal project to help him acclimate." (Jasper 'Jazz' Halloway - a lighthearted, witty prison guard with a knack for getting into amusing escapades, Jasper's playful demeanor often helps to ease the tension among inmates and staff alike., Ed.)
"Hey, want to go out tonight? Tomorrow we get our new batteries and I don't know what that will entail."
"But we have a late shift tonight, bud."
"Let's play some hooky. I can ask Andy and Rick to cover for us for a couple of hours. They won't mind."
Mazurski grins and agrees.
"Which skin are you going to use?"
"I was thinking the caucasian guy with the light brown fade cut. 'Milo Garrett'. You?"
"The bald guy with the black eyebrows - 'Gideon Chase'. I'm gonna wear an eyepatch tonight."
"Wow! That'll be a slick look! I wanna try him like that the next time!"
"Deal! Do you think Einar would want to join us? Once he found out about the process, he really got into it - he loves going out as a big, black bald guy after he got permission from Doc. He usually goes to 'The Cellar Door' club."
"The gay strip joint in Meadowvale?"
"Yeah. He goes there. A lot. Has a great time. He always puts on a full upper skin. Wears a black or dark tank top and a thick gold neck chain."
Dave chuckles. "He sounds like a drug dealer. Or a hit man. In any case a definite 'don't fuck with me' type."
"He looks incredible being as massive as he is now!"
"He is! He's seven feet tall! And over four hundred pounds! Last time, we spent a good hour touching each other before he skinned and left. It's so amazing we can go out looking like anyone, provided we have the silicone."
"He's about at the limit where he can still go out like that and look human...." Justin sighed. "I'm going to miss going out like this once we're eight feet tall ourselves."
"The first time he went to the club, there was a raid - he almost got arrested!"
"No! Really??"
"Yeah - he just got out in time - he got tipped off by an undercover cop. They were making out and the cop activated his ID scan function by accident. That's what let Einar know he was a policeman. He kept that factoid to himself, and the cop warned him to leave the club pronto."
"Whew! Good for him! I'm glad we always go to safer places."
"Where do you want to go tonight?"
"I was thinking of The Grain and Spur - it's line dancing night!"
"That'll be fun! We always have a super time there! Everyone at the bar is so nice and friendly."
"Let's get cracking! You pick up the skins and I'll talk to Andy and Rick..."
* * *
Once the two guards have skinned, they meet in the hallway. The two go out to the parking lot and get into a car. About thirty minutes later, the officers arrive at the bar and get comfortable at a table right off the dance floor. 'Milo' and 'Gideon' order drinks and leave them on the table.
"Nice crowd, tonight." Dave nods along. "I love this place." The song transitions and 'Copperhead Road' by Steve Earle starts playing. A group of patrons move onto the floor and begin a line dance. It's a bit disorganized at first, but quickly organizes itself.
"C'mon! Let's join!"
When I first thought of this story with Dave and Justin speaking, the first thought that came into my head was the two gossiping together - after all, the prison is a small world, and the encapsulated guards need something to talk about - either the prisoners, or themselves. And THAT got me to thinking of a couple of yentas!
Each 'skin' has it's own identity, but each guard can personalize it to some extent - as Justin is doing with the eyepatch. The original trio tends to be more conservative in their outings; the newest member - Einar - likes to take more chances as he visits the strip club often. I also wonder if he has developed a relationship with the undercover cop that tipped him off to the raid during during their encounter?
Stay tuned!
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