"— that at this time, no information about the cause of the virus has been released to the media. Just a few minutes ago, a national state of emergency was officially declared, and residents all over the country are being told to remain in their homes or places of business until they are evacuated. Those who are outdoors or in their cars are to—"
"Are you guys seeing this?" Luschek asked, looking around the CO break room for confirmation.
"Seeing what?" Bell didn't look up from her sandwich.
"The CNN thing. They're talking about some kind of outbreak."
"Oh. Swine flu again?"
"I wouldn't be talking about it if it was swine flu, man; come on. Just listen to this." He pulled himself up out of his chair to grab the remote, upping the volume just as the screen switched to a shot of a crowded, chaotic city block. "Jesus, they're rioting in the streets!" That turned a few more heads.
"This is the scene outside CNN Center here in Atlanta this morning, as panicking civilians take to the streets. For those of you are who are just tuning in—"
"That's not swine flu," O'Neill said slowly, coming up behind Luschek. "Seriously guys, come and look."
One by one, the small group of COs broke away from whatever they'd been doing before and gathered around the TV. Not a minute later, the room's wall speaker crackled to life.
"All correctional officers report to meeting room three. Repeat, all correctional officers report to meeting room three."
Dazed, the COs looked over at the speaker, then back at the TV.
"I don't know, this looks— I think we should keep watching this," said O'Neill, his brow furrowing. "If we don't go, do you think Caputo will—"
"For God's sake, O'Neill, the meeting's about this," Bell snapped. "You heard it, it's nationwide."
Just then, the door to the break room swung open and Bennett stuck his head in.
"Guys? Caputo said pull the plug on the inmates' TV."
"Sharks."
Taystee snorted, shooting Black Cindy an incredulous look. "Girl, have you seen the suckers on a fully-grown octopus? They latch onto something, and they never letting go. They could pull a shark apart easy."
"Well, wait, what kinda sharks we talking here? 'Cause you know there's them itty-bitty ones, but then there's—"
"Sorry guys, no TV time today." A CO strode past them into the rec room, unplugging it from the wall.
"But we were gonna watch Wild Kingdom!" Taystee protested.
"It's not up to me," the CO said firmly, wrapping the cord around the TV stand. "Boss's orders. Go play cards."
"Shit." Taystee shook her head disgustedly, watching the CO leave, then plopped down into a chair. Cindy followed suit.
"Yo, you hear Caputo calling all the guards down for a meeting? Maybe we in trouble."
"Whatever it is," Taystee said, "It'd better be good."