It seemed as though Gary had been in solitary confinement for years, but he had only been in there a few days. He wasn't sure how long he was going to be stuck in there either. Dreads, the old black man, didn't know when Gary was going to be getting out of solitary, but he seemed to be enjoying their brief conversations everyday. No one else really cared about anything other than the food they received.

One day, when Dreads was bringing the daily slop, Gary noticed a folded up piece of paper underneath a piece of stale bread. Dreads smiled a crooked yellow smile "don't tell anyone I bring this to you". Gary smirked as he sat down on his bed, moving the tray to the side and unfolding the letter. It was a note, finely printed and written in a pink, glittery color.

"Dear Gary,

I'm very sorry about you getting the solitary treatment! I'm sure you're terribly lonely!

I know I would be in that situation, but then again I have ways of keeping myself occupied.
Anyways, the reason for my writing—other than the fact that I miss you, but because I

wanted to let you know that I have put in a good word for you and hopefully you should be

out of solitary by the end of this week—so just keep up your spirits!

I can't wait to see you again, Gary, and please write back if you can!

Sincerely yours,
Alice Bordeaux"

"Hmm by the end of next week? Good girl" smiled Gary as he folded the paper back. He seemed to read that about a hundred times, each time he could hear her voice speaking softly in his ear. When Dreads came to pick up the tray, Gary asked for something to write with. By dinner time, Dreads had managed to grab a red crayon and a torn sheet of notebook paper. He took it gladly and laid down on the hard floor so he could write.

"Alice,
Thanks for the letter. I appreciate you helping me out.

Not many people have done that for me ever so thanks and yeah I'm lonely.

REAL lonely. I can't wait to get out of here, though Dreads—he's pretty cool.

Have you ever been in solitary? Hey you never told me what you were doing, locked away here!

Maybe you'll tell me when I get out I hope. I'm rather curious.

Well see ya in a week I guess. Gotta cut this short cause I'm running out of paper.

Write back.

-Gary-"

Gary folded it up and when the time came to pick up the tray, he passed it along to Dreads who delivered it to Alice. Sitting back against the hard wall, Gary smiled as he pictured Alice opening his letter and what she might look like. "What the—" Gary sat up and began pacing. Why couldn't he stop thinking about Alice? He had just met her and already she plagued his mind. Her voice echoed in his thoughts…"I must be going crazy!" he yelled as he banged his fists onto one wall of his cell. Resting his head on the cold, wet stone he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. As soon as he opened his eyes, his mind went blank for there, staring back at him was the name Alice.