CO Bellick opens the gate and allows Ella to pass through. He follows behind her and turns around to locks it.
"You went to a lot of trouble to get that basketball in here, and you hardly played with it?" He comments casually.
"You were watching?" Ella asks pretending to be surprised.
"The boys in the tower needed some supplies. I was passing by and noticed you playing until Scofield called you over."
"Yeah, apparently getting beaten by a girl at basketball affects your reputation in prison." Ella smiles.
"You're pretty good." Bellick compliments Ella, who smiles.
"Thanks. I use to play a bit in high school."
"In competition? I bet you were the best on the court." Bellick continues, sneaking looks at Ella when he thinks she's not looking. Ella turns to face him, stopping him from checking her out and fighting to stop her skin from crawling.
"No. I just played for fun. We lived out of town, so I didn't get to play any team sports when I was growing up. Thanks for the escort." Ella replies as they reach the main gate.
A guard steps out from a booth.
"Good afternoon, Mrs Beaumont-Burrows."
"Harold, please call me Ella. We see each other every day I think we can dispose with the formalities." Ella replies, smiling sweetly. "Let me guess, assume the position?"
"Yes please Mrs Beaumont-Burrows." Harold says and begins to pat her down, while Bellick watches. He reaches her ankles and feels something on her right leg. "What's this?" He asks, lifting her pant leg up slightly to reveal a silver men's watch on her leg.
"I completely forgot that was there." Ella replies with surprise.
"Can I ask why you have a gentleman's watch on your leg, Mrs Beaumont-Burrows?" Harold enquires, suddenly very serious.
"This is so embarrassing. You are going to think its juvenile." Ella replies, hesitant to give an explanation.
"Were you wearing it this morning when you entered the prison or are you trafficking it out?" Harold begins to interrogate Ella.
"Oh, God no. Nothing like that." She exclaims. "This is so stupid. I moved in to a shared apartment a few nights ago, and my housemate is the biggest milk thief ever. So I decided that if he was going to make me late by taking the last of my milk, I would make him late by taking his watch. I am so embarrassed." She explains, blushing.
"I think we can let that one go, don't you, Harry?" Bellick says.
"Yeah, sure." Harold says catching a wink from Bellick.
"Thank you." Ella replies, still blushing slightly.
"Next time, just mention to the morning duty guard that you have a stolen watch on your ankle and we won't have a problem, okay?" Harold laughs, letting Ella through the gate to the car park.
"I will. Thanks." Ella says and rushes away acting embarrassed.
"That's one unusual girl." Harold comments as Bellick signs Ella out for the day.
"Yeah." Bellick agrees, remembering the sweet colour of her blushing cheeks, completely enchanted by her quirky behaviour.
"No watch today, Mrs Beaumont-Burrows?" The morning guard asks as he finishes patting down Ella.
"Not today. How did you know about that?" Ella acts ashamed.
"Harry made a note in the sign-out book."
"Oh."
"You can go through, Mrs Beaumont-burrows. And thanks again for the muffins; I didn't get time to have breakfast this morning." The guard says as he buzzes Ella through the gate.
"My pleasure, James. See you later." Ella waves and heads for the administration building, with another guard tailing close behind her.
"Warden Pope would like to have a quick word with you before you see your husband today." The guard informs her as he holds the door open for her to enter the building.
"Thank you. You don't know what he wants to see me about, do you?" She asks as they pass through a set of double doors and head towards Warden Pope's office.
"Sorry, ma'am. If you will wait here, he will be with you shortly." The guard directs Ella inside the waiting room and leaves.
Ella removes her jacket and sits down at right angles to the office door.
"In trouble with the principle again? You don't strike me as a bad boy." Ella half whispers, not making eye contact with Michael as he sits with his back against the wall, next to the office door.
"Apparently I'm as bad as they come." Michael counters. "Link told me he folded under intense interrogation."
"If that's his story." Ella smiles, remembering how easy it was to get him to confess.
"Yeah. I guess it sounds better than 'she knew because we're both bad at keeping secrets from ex-government trained human lie-detectors'."
"Did you really think you would get away with your little plan?"
"Not for long, but I thought we'd last longer than we did before being found out. What are you doing here?" Michael asks.
"Not sure, but I think the Pope's gonna tell me they have set a new date for the execution. How about you? It seems every time I'm called to the principal's office, you're already here."
"Finishing the Taj. His anniversary is coming up and I've been reinforcing it while he puts the filler on the walls."
"Nice gig if you can get it. I need to ask you a question."
"What is it?"
"The watch, can you put it back together?"
"I can try. Why?" Michael asks, his curiosity peaking.
"I have a replica of the Romedi you had when you were caught and I need to swap yours for mine."
"What's so good about yours?" Michael enquires.
"Mine is the detonator to the explosives I have placed around the prison as a distraction during the escape."
"Jesus. How do you get these things in here?" Michael asks, surprised at how easily Ella has smuggled in a number of weapons.
"I definitely don't hide them anywhere, so don't get any ideas." Ella pulls a face. "In plain sight, Mikey. I'll find a way to trade the watches in three days. So make sure you have yours on you, okay?"
"Okay."
"By the way, Link's getting a new tattoo tomorrow. I love a man with tattoos and he's lacking a vital one."
"What? Link wants you to give him a tattoo?"
"Technically, no. But he's gonna need a map to get out of here and this is the best way." Ella looks into Michaels shocked face. "I promise he won't feel a thing. I have the needle with me today, completely aseptic and some anaesthetic. All I need is some ink."
"You can't just give him a tatt if he doesn't want one!"
"Sure I can. I've taken body art classes." Ella replies, dismissively, completely ignoring Michaels' point. "So can you get the ink or what?"
"Yeah. You're cutting it fine though. I'll have a hard time finding some before tomorrow morning. And I don't know how I'm gonna get it to him."
"I'm sure you'll find a way. You're very clever."
"I don't know. I need more time to think." Michael complains.
"Fine. I knew you'd think of this eventually but I'll just tell you instead. Sucre's' cousin could provide a gift in Link's laundry in the morning. That's the easiest way, don't you think?"
"Yes. How do you know Sucre's cousin does the laundry?"
"It's my job to know everything about the players, which includes everything about their families. You hired me because I'm the best, and to be the best you have to be thorough."
"Which you are proving to be."
"It'll be tasteful, I promise." Ella remarks, just as the office door opens.
"Mrs Beaumont-Burrows, would you come in please." The warden requests, holding the door open for Ella. As she walks past she bends down and gives Michael a kiss on the cheek.
"It was good seeing you again, Michael." Ella comments before disappearing inside the office.
"I'll be with you in five minutes." The Pope remarks before following her inside and closing the door behind him.