Without the camera, there'd be no show. And Amber passed by one day and said,
"The show camera is missing!"
Corny didn't trust Amber, but it was missing! They checked Amber's house, but it wasn't there.
Amber tipped off the police and principal and said,
"Told you! I saw her snatch it!"
But this time, if I were found guilty, I would be sent to reform school. My aunt nor Tracy could believe it.
"I didn't take it! For what reason I'd take it? I don't need a show camera."
This made the local news because it was an important show in Baltimore. The judge was hard because apparently had "stolen" a camera.
Tracy was there to see the ruling. So were my aunt and everyone else, and Amber just gave a smirk.
She thought,
I planted it. I did the crime 'cause I hate Crystal and Tracy Turnblad.
"You have two options," my lawyer said, "if you agree to a plea bargain, the sentence will be smaller. Or plead 'not guilty' and let the jury decide your fate."
"I plead not guilty!"
Most were shocked. As far as evidence went, I was out of luck. Amber testified against me and my lawyer said Amber had no real evidence.
"What about the camera stolen in the house?""I didn't do it!" I cried out.
Some began to laugh. They didn't believe I was telling the truth, while under oath. Amber was a committing a crime now-perjury. But I had no evidence against her.
Tracy didn't find my cry of innocent funny at all. She knew I was innocent.
"All right. The jury has found you, I'm sorry, because of the evidence, you're guilty. For the sentence, you have two options-A girl's boot camp for eight months or the Montrose Reformatory for Girls for six months."
I didn't want to go to either. But I certainly didn't want to go to boot camp, so I decided-with less time, Montrose.
"I choose Montrose."
Before I left the
courtroom to be taken there, I told Tracy,
"I'm innocent, but they voted against me. Visit me. You're a friend."
Just then, they pulled me away. I decided I wouldn't be like those "troublemaking" kids who yell and cause trouble and when they're taken away. I participated 'cause I told the truth and I knew I was innocent. I had to show I was.
Arriving at Montrose was not as a big as I expected it to be. The place wasn't a high-security place because this place was for kids 15-21 for minor offenses.
The policeman said,
"You're going to meet the matron. She's firm, but seeing you're a first timer she may cut you some slack."
"Yes, sir."
Tracy decided to go by my place meanwhile, decided to get some of my stuff-a notebook and of course, hairspray and comb.
Back at Montrose, the officer said,
"This is Crystal. She is a first-timer. She gave us no trouble. She ain't going do anything wrong. I'll be outside. Here's her folder."
The matron said,
"Sit down."
"Yes, ma'am," I said.
I was scared stiff of not just the warden but also the place scared me completely.
She read my file and said,
"So, you're the one that state the camera off the Corny Collins Show. You claimed you were innocent under oath, but because of evidence against you, the jury found you guilty. You'll be here for six months, I see."
The matron said,
"First, you will be
showed around by one of the girls here. Then, you'll be able to
have dinner at six and we have visiting hours from four to eight, in
the dining room. Or if you wish, you can have an escort and you and
your visitor can talk. All right, now let me show you to where you
will stay."
Oh, great, I thought, there
is so much trouble here and I don't want it.
"Okay," the matron said, "Mary, come here!"
"Yes? What do ya want?"
"Watch it. This here's
Crystal-she's been arrested for stealing the Corny
Collins Show camera."
"How'd ya do it?" one cried out.
"Did you literally jus' walk down there an' sneak with it?"
Most found it hilarious.
The warden said,
"Knock it off. She doesn't speak
much. Don't worry. She may speak. No one can stay silent forever."
Another thing I noticed was that everyone wore dark navy blue
dresses that went to their knees. Everyone wore black shoes, and I
knew that I'd be like them-for now.
Mary said,
"Okay, Crystal. I'll show ya around first. This here's room is the visiting room-this is where watch TV and hang out. Follow me. This room is where we all sleep. It's a large room; so don't steal anyone else's bed. Let's see-that one isn't taken. Whatever you have in your hands-put on your bed. Let's continue with out tour. The showers and restrooms are down there. Just follow me. Next, here are the classrooms for school. That's English, Math, Science and History. Last is the washroom-everyday it's available for use if you need to wash your uniform. You'll get five of them, but you need one everyday. Wash them when you see fit. Next, there's the dining room-we have breakfast at 7 am, lunch at noon, and dinner at six. Now let's get you into some decent clothes."
Around this time, it was five. I decided I would shower before dinner. She said,
"Here are your uniforms. I had to search for them. Let's just say we haven't had any new girls in awhile."
I noticed they were a dark navy blue and she handed me a pair of black shoes.
After a quick shower, I dressed.
I looked at myself carefully as though I didn't belong, for being innocent. My dark brown hair with the dark blue uniform made me look aloof.
Then, I decided to head to the visiting room.
Nervously, I walked down the hallway. I felt uncomfortable. I hated the way I looked. Now I know I am complaining a bit with this-however, the consolation was that everyone was wearing the same thing. No one would laugh at me.
The matron noticed me and said,
"Oh, there you are. You have a visitor. A miss Tracy Turnblad."
A few girls got excited because everyone knew whom she was. Tracy and I entered the dining hall and said,
"Crystal, you look so sad. How's this place so far?"
"Not good. I look terrible and I'm innocent. I'm in no mood or condition to be here. I don't want the other girls to beat me up."
"Well, you have the matrons to make sure no one does."
"I'm here because of Amber."
"I know. I told Corny that. He said that you would've been a
great candidate for the show. He knows its Amber and he wants Amber
to be in trouble. He's been trying to get Mr. Spritzer to drop the
charges so you won't be here."
"Yes, and it's time for dinner and we can talk all we want."
I picked out a salad and juice because I wasn't very hungry. I had too much on my mind.
Tracy decided she would do whatever it takes. She remembered what she did for the African-Americans in Baltimore and how she ended up where I was. Like me, she was arrested for no reason.
Tracy said,
"Here are some things you may need here. Your notebook, a few books, a comb and brush, and of course, hairspray."
"Yes, thanks, Tracy. You'll help me out. I hope I can get released. Amber is not going to win."
Tracy had a good plan, but first she needed to talk to Corny. I would be stuck at Montrose until I was freed.
I felt tired because it had been a long day. From being sent here to being found guilty, I knew it wasn't over yet. Then, I was given a grand tour of the place.
I was sleepy and at 8:15 pm, I passed out.
One of the girls said,
"The new girl's asleep. Must be
tiring for her.'
Mary said,
"I overheard her talkin' to Tracy Turnblad. She was framed for what she did. They say Amber Von Tussle did it and the jury didn't believe her."
"No wonder she's so quiet. It's 'cause she's scared. She's afraid we're going to hurt her. The only time I heard her speak was to Tracy. She didn't say much. But she does talk. They are trying to get her out by releasing her or getting her pardoned by dropping the charges. She's innocent."
"Amber Von Tussle is Velma Von Tussle's daughter. Velma tried to rig the Miss Hairspray Pageant so that Amber could win. But she got arrested instead."
The other girl replied,
"We shouldn't be too hard on her. We should be nice. Someone told her we're the meanest in the world. But not really. The only girl mean here is Audrey, and she is never 'round most of the time."
Mary added,
"I could tell she was innocent. If she's Tracy Turnblad's friend, then, she's not a criminal. Remember Tracy was here? We helped her feel welcome, but she got pardoned. While I was showin' the new girl around, I knew she was afraid. Sucks for her, though. She's stuck her for six months.
I wasn't completely asleep, though because their talking woke me up a little.
I woke up the next morning, for the call for breakfast had begun. I cleaned up a bit, and headed to the "classes." It turns out they were bad teachers. They just taught the lesson and let us go to lunch. They didn't assign homework just of the fact we wouldn't do it. I ate little and decided to do some reading in the visiting room. However, I felt different for several reasons here. At four, Corny Collins aired and I enjoyed it.