Thank you for those lovely reviews. I've never written on this site before and I'm excited by the turnout.
And now back to George.
"Are you kidding me? Only a dull man would ask about how not to be dull." The guard clapped him on the shoulder "I say keep up this self-questioning, but I warn you going down the known road isn't pretty."
"And why not?" George was beginning to regret asking the guard outside the door.
"Because, lad, being a dull background character is the bloody best way to stay alive. If you aren't a main character, but you're interesting, that is the easiest way to die."
"I don't want to die."
"Then stay boring and never be brave. We don't need any heroic sacrifices around here. Wait a second, are you a part of any running gags?"
"I don't know—"
"Brass, crap you shine brass right? Does Arthur ever make fun of you for it?"
"Now that you mention it—"
"GO! Before it's too—" The guard was suddenly stabbed in the back by an escaping prisoners.
"No…" George realized he didn't know the guard's name. He shrugged and walked away, careful to avoid the stream of prisoners escaping after that one too out both guards.