It had been a hard day once again. Patsy was weary and near exhaustion, her feet ached and her stomach was cramping with hunger. "Just another day in Techno Prison Camp 3," she thought to herself as she sat down on her bunk with a grateful sigh. Roll call was in 30 minutes followed by dinner and lights out for the night. Patsy looked down at the pentagram that was barely visible on the back of her hand and thought of home. The mallrats…What were they doing tonight? Whatever it was, Patsy was certain that it was better than being here.
As the other prisoners who shared her barracks began to mill about, Patsy made her way over to the window. There she stared out at the dusky prison yard and watched the sun sink behind the mountain in the distance. Techno guards milled about here and there going about their duties, but her eyes sought one in particular. The guard they called, Jem. There was something about him, something that captivated her in a way she hadn't been since…well for a long time. She had loved before, or thought it was love, but this was different. She wasn't sure if Jem even knew she had a name. He hardly ever spoke, and usually when he did it was in generalities and pleasantries that didn't require names, details or emotions. He had used her number to refer to her on occasion, Prisoner 34561…so personal, wasn't it?
As her eyes found her target she began to follow his progress around the yard. He was so tall, so handsome. If only things were different. If only her identity hadn't been reduced to a number. Perhaps they may have had a chance. Perhaps she could've gotten to know him, really know him. But how could that happen in a prison camp, a prison camp where he was a guard and she was dirt.
"Roll Call!" Came the call from outside. With one last look in Jem's direction Patsy pulled herself away from the window and filed out the door with the other prisoners. Into formation in two long lines they stood as they were counted like cattle. 1…2…3...4…5…Patsy's thoughts began to wander again, as the wind whipped around the prison yard…6…7…8…Where was Cloe now? Had she found someone to share her life with?...9…10…11…12…What about Amber, and Salene, and Trudy? What would there advice be in this situation? What would they do about Jem?...13…14…15. "All prisoners of Barracks 1 present and accounted for, sir," the guard reported to his commander. "Prisoners may proceed to the mess hall." The other prisoners began to file away, but Patsy stood lost in thought.
What would the other mallrats tell her to do? They would say that life is too short, she decided. Especially if you've been in a Techno prison camp for over a year. Yes, it was definitely time that she took some action. But how? How could she get his attention? How could she get him to call her by her name instead of her Techno prisoner id #? There had to be a way. Patsy smiled to herself as the object of her musings passed in front of her. Yes, there's got to be a way...
"Come on!" Patsy stumbled a bit as she was shoved in the direction of the mess hall, "Get in to dinner with the rest of the prisoners!"
"Yes sir," she answered meekly, having learned long ago that it was best to obey when given an order. But as she headed to dinner Patsy was no longer thinking about her long weary day of work, or her tired and aching muscles or the hunger that seemed to plague her constantly. No…Patsy's thoughts were now totally focused on one objective. To get her man…