Jennifer
Jared became enraged when the negotiations with the Captain didn't go his way.
He began to reorganize, step by step.
He put all of the female guards and the two female assistants and Jennifer in one cell, and the male guards and the warden in another.
He appointed one group of inmates to be the lookouts, while another group was appointed to go in search of supplies.
Jennifer's cell was right by the main hub, so she was able to observe pretty much everything.
Most of the inmates weren't really obeying Jared, but they weren't pissing him off either. A lot of them were taking advantage of being able to go into the guard's offices and use the phone to contact their families without having to pay for it.
Jennifer turned to the guards.
"How did this happen?"
"Ma'am, this has been a long time coming. The warden has been refusing to provide the guards with what we need to keep control, and he's been steadily giving them more and more allowances. And then when one little misstep happens by someone, instead of punishing that person, he punishes everyone. It was a system that was bound to fail, because it was designed to fail. A lot of these guys are here for at least half of their life, if not longer. We are designed to house inmates long term, not short term. You can't keep a wild animal caged forever and not expect them to react at some point".
"What kinds of things did he take away?"
"You name it, he took it. Outdoor time, which the law says they are entitled to at least one hour per day. He let them form competition teams like kickball, basketball. They asked for baseball and he said no, because a prisoner with a bat in their hand is basically a prisoner with a weapon. And they understood that, and were willing to compromise, which is how kickball came up. But his mistake was he let them form the teams but refused to let them practice or have a game".
"I see".
"He would also tell them they were being rewarded with something, like a movie night. But when it came down to it, the movie would have no sound or sound but no audio. Again, poke a bear too many times and you'll eventually regret that".
They were quiet for a moment.
"How did you end up in the prison today?"
"Well, Jared Watkins asked me to do an interview with him to boost his chances for his upcoming parole. So, I've been coming out and interviewing him. And today I was told to see the Warden's secretary before I left, and while I was waiting to see her, Jared pulled a knife on me and dragged me into this cell block. His cellmate told me he's been planning this for months and that I was his insurance policy this whole time".
"Well, if that's true, I hope that you are able to get out of here unscathed."
"Me too."
Jonathan
The captain made a request on the bullhorn for Jared to contact him.
"If you don't call me within 10 minutes, I will be forced to take more drastic measures".
He hung up and waited.
Another officer came running up to the Captain.
"Captain, we just got word that the Governor is on his way, and should be here in about 10 minutes".
"Ok, thank you".
Jonathan approached the captain.
"What is the next step?"
"Turn off the water. I am hesitant to do that though, out of respect for the women in there. I would hate for them to not be able to use a bathroom if they needed to".
"Jennifer told you in the phone call that they are all in one cellblock. So can't you send in a SwAT team or something to take control again?"
"Not a bad idea, and we will probably do that if it comes down to it. But we don't want to do this too early".
"What if we try to fake him out?"
"How do you propose we do that?"
"Set up some grills, grill some steaks, baked potatoes. Tell him that if he releases a hostage, you'll send in 20 grilled steaks and potatoes, all the fixings. He gets to pick who gets the first 20. To get the next 20, he has to release another hostage."
"That's a great idea, but unfortunately, it's not in the budget. There are roughly about 150 inmates in there".
"I'll cover all expenses. I just need to make a few phone calls".
"Have at it".
Jonathan grabbed the phone, and called Stanley.
"Hey, it's me, Jonathan. I need you to organize something. I'm at the Briar Creek State Prison in New York. I need you to arrange a delivery between restaurants. I need 250 steak and baked potato dinners, all the toppings, as soon as they can get it here. To-go silverware as well".
"Yes, sir. I'll see what I can do".
"Thank you, Stanley".
Jonathan hung up.
"Ok, I've got someone working on it, and it will be here as soon as he can get it here".
Just then, the governor pulled up.
He and the captain conferred for a few moments, and then the governor issued an order for the National Guard to move in.
Jared contacted the Captain's phone.
"I want my plane and my money, now!"
"I want Jennifer Edwards".
"Not until I get my money and my plane".
"Jared, be reasonable. Tell me something, how did you like the pizza?"
"It was great".
"Good, I was hoping you would say that. Now, I have a proposition for you. I want you to think about the last time you had a nice, juicy steak to eat. Big, and thick, and full of flavor. And with a baked potato, all the fixings, on the side. You like that?"
"Yeah, that sounds good".
"Ok, so here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to trust you. I have some steaks and baked potatoes coming, but I'm only going to send in 20. You get to pick who gets the first 20. There will be more steaks and potatoes coming, but in order to get the second 20, you have to agree to release a hostage".
"What do I have to do to get the first 20?"
"You've already done it. You called me back in the time frame I asked for".
"I see. So, I earned the first 20. But to get the second 20, I have to release a hostage?"
"That's right".
"Any hostage?"
"Any hostage. Come on, Jared. You can do this".
"What about my money and my plane?"
"I told you, that takes time. I'll get on the bullhorn when the first set of steaks and potatoes arrives".
He hung up before Jared could say anything.
Jennifer
Jennifer was watching Jared. He was becoming more and more frantic. He was constantly pacing, constantly wringing his hands.
Jennifer began to look around. This cell had three bunks, all against a wall. No top bunks. One toilet, one sink. Three small countertops in the corners, to be used for desks.
She sat down on one of the bunks and scooted back against the wall.
"What are these cells made of?"
"Solid steel. Supposed to prevent the inmates from digging out. If by some chance one of the inmates got ahold of a guard's gun, these doors are bulletproof. The whole cell is supposed to be fireproof, too. And with the way the warden has cut corners, I'm kind of shocked the cells have held up as well as they have".
"What do you mean?"
"Well, the federal government built this prison. But the warden is in charge of running it. And this warden, Warden Parker, he has made some decisions the feds wouldn't approve of. He turned off the sprinkler system. They came in here a few months ago to test for lead paint. Most of these cells failed that test. But instead of fixing it and making it right, he had the papers forged to look as though he had done what he was supposed to, when really all he did was have the inmates paint over it with more lead paint".
"Why is he cutting corners like that?"
"He gets an operating budget from the government. And if something needs repairing, the cost is supposed to come out of that budget. And if he runs out of money in another account, the excess comes out of the operating budget then too. But, if he still has a nice amount in the operating budget at the end of the quarter, he gets a bonus. So, he'll do anything he can to keep that bonus coming in".
"I see".
They all got quiet when they heard the captain on the bullhorn.
"Jared, delivery number 1 is going to be here in about 5 minutes".
Thirty Minutes Later
Jennifer and the other hostages watched as Jared picked 20 people to get steaks and baked potatoes.
The other inmates who didn't get picked were angry.
"Look Watkins, you promised us a cut! Now this is insane! When are we busting out of here?!"
"Calm down, calm down. I've got this all under control".
They all began to fight and riot again, and Jennifer was thankful she was in a cell out of harm's way.
About 20 minutes later, they heard the bullhorn again.
Jared picked up the phone and called the captain again.
"How were the steaks and potatoes, Jared?"
"Good. We need more of them, man. We need more".
"Hey, I've got more right here, waiting on you. I just need a hostage".
"Ok, deal. I'll send one out the front door in a few minutes".
Jennifer looked at the other hostages.
"Whichever one of us it is, please-tell the people outside that Jared is becoming more and more erratic and that things are escalating quickly".
They all agreed, just before Jared opened the door.
Jared pointed at the secretary, and took her to the front door.
"Ok, here's your hostage."
Jonathan
He pushed her out the front door and she took off like lightning towards the police.
Jonathan's heart sank when he realized it wasn't Jennifer.
"Hi, I'm Captain Miller. Can you tell me who you are?"
"I'm Grace Carpenter. I'm a secretary in the Warden's office. Please, you got to help the others-Jared is becoming more and more erratic, and he's about to lose his cool".
"What happened when we sent the steaks in?"
"They started fighting over them and screaming and shouting".
"Interesting".
"Ms. Carpenter-is Jennifer Edwards alright?"
"Yes, she's fine. She's so kind and thoughtful."
"Yeah, she is".
"Are the hostages secluded?"
"Yes, they are in the first cell on the pod. The women are in the cell on the left, and the men are in the cell on the right".
Captain Miller and the Governor discussed how Jennifer was the priority because she was a civilian and not an employee.
"Ok, that's it. Send in the SWAT team, and the National Guard will back them up. Full riot gear, the works. They are allowed to use any force necessary to gain compliance."
Jonathan finally began to feel like there was a light at the end of the tunnel. He just hoped that Jennifer would be able to come through the tunnel, unharmed.
Jennifer
It had now been over 12 hours since the riot had begun. Jennifer was tired, thirsty, dirty, and starving.
Jennifer began looking through the locker in the cell, and found a notepad and a pen.
She began to scribble some notes.
"What are you writing?"
"Just a note to let them know what happened in case we…don't survive".
She finished the note and then put it in her pocket.
The other hostages made one too.
Jennifer was standing by the cell door, trying to get Jared's attention so she could ask him for a bottle of water, when she saw it.
She turned and whispered to the others.
"I think we are being rescued. I see people in riot gear".
"It's about damn time!"
Jared had his back to the entrance of the pod, so he had no idea they were coming. Jennifer watched as they slowly tiptoed up to the lookouts and commandeered them, and got them out of the way.
The second wave of the SWAT team moved in, and began to immobilize the remaining inmates.
Jared however, wasn't going down without a fight.
"This was not part of the deal! I said no tricks, man! No tricks!"
He came over near the cells, and was throwing things at the SwAT Team. He threw a chair leg at them, which they deflected off their shield, and it came back and hit the window in the cell door, causing the remaining glass to break and shatter all over Jennifer. She felt the blood pour down her face.
"Here, use this pillowcase to wipe your face".
Jennifer took the pillow case from the guard and then returned her focus to Jared.
"You ain't taking me out like this! Not happening".
He raised his weapon, and gave the signal to the others to charge at the SWAT team.
They too, raised their weapons. Jennifer and the others hunkered down, and held up a mattress as a shield. They listened frightfully as a spray of bullets covered every inch of the common room. Back and forth, left to right, right to left. It seemed like hours, but it was in reality, only a few minutes.
Jared grabbed the fire extinguisher and sprayed it at the SWAT team, filling the air with the contents of the extinguisher. Jennifer and the other guards began to cough and sneeze. When the extinguisher was nearly empty, he purposely tossed it up against a pipe, causing the pipe to burst open and flood the cells. Jennifer and the hostages got completely soaked. The SWAT team ordered him to drop his weapons, but he refused, so they began shooting again.
When it was all over, Jared and his posse were all either killed or seriously injured. The SWAT team took the injured inmates out first, then opened the hostage cells.
"Ok ladies, you are free. Go out the front and see the captain".
Jennifer was looking all around, for a few minutes.
"Ma'am, do you need help?"
"I had a small purse with me when I came in here. I can't find it. And I can't remember where I was in here...I was here, but I was taken over there, and then I was taken back that way...I can't remember".
"It's ok. I promise you, it's ok. You're safe. You go outside and get checked out and let us find your purse. We'll find it and we'll bring it outside to you".
"Thank you".
Jennifer walked out the front door and began to make her way down the sidewalk.
She saw the inmates that had been taken without injury being forced to sit on the ground in one area. She and Martez exchanged a brief smile. She kept walking towards the police tent.
She saw Jonathan standing there, waiting on her.
She was powerless to stop the tears from flowing, and began to walk just a bit quicker to get to him.
He opened his arms and she jumped in his arms as the first sob began to wrack her body.
"Shhh….it's alright. You're alright."
"I was...so scared".
"I know...you did good, baby. You did good".
"They were shooting and beating each other up and he kept saying he was going to kill me…"
"Shhh….you're safe."
Jonathan just kept holding her and comforting her.
"I'm so glad you're here".