Disclaimer: See first chapter.
Akane in Chains
Chapter Three: Meeting the Warden
As she stepped into the warden's office, Akane's eyes were instantly drawn to the middle-aged woman seated behind the desk. Her dark hair was up in a professional bun, she wore small rectangular-framed glasses, and she was dressed in an expensive business pantsuit.
"You must be tired of standing, having waited outside so long," the warden said as she gestured to a chair in front of her desk. "Please, have a seat."
Akane did as she was bade, her cuffed hands clasped together in her lap.
"I suppose introductions are in order," the warden continued after Akane sat down. "I am Noriko Matsushita, though you will refer to me as 'Warden Matsushita' or 'Ma'am'. I am the administrator of this correctional facility and will be overseeing your rehabilitation." She paused for a moment to let that sink in. "And you," she scanned the inmate profile in front of her, "are Prisoner 797455, Tendo, charged with criminal negligence and reckless endangerment, and sentenced to one year imprisonment without parole, correct?"
"Yes," Akane nodded her head in response.
"Answer the warden properly," Chief Matron Hououji ordered.
"Yes, ma'am," Akane quickly corrected. The chief matron's words still rang in her ears and she was determined to make a good first impression. She wanted the warden to know she wasn't a troublemaker.
"Well, Tendo, let me give you a brief overview of what your time in this facility will be like," Warden Matsushita began. "As you have already been informed, this prison operates on a strict regimen and all inmates are expected to conform to our standards. We are willing to reward those who obey the rules and respond to our rehabilitation efforts, but we will not hesitate to impose strict punishments on troublemakers."
"If I may interject, ma'am," Chief Matron Hououji spoke up, "I would like to point out that Prisoner Tendo has already experienced a little demonstration of our approach to discipline during her processing. She failed to undress the first time she was ordered to do so and it wasn't until Officer Yamada employed his truncheon that she realized it was in her best interest to obey."
Akane had to fight real hard to stay quiet. She desperately wanted to tell her side to the warden: how the only reason she'd initially disobeyed was because the damn pervert had been in the room. Was it really so unreasonable for her to have expected to be granted a small measure of modesty and not have to undress in front of a man?
"I would also like to emphasis to the prisoner that her experience in processing was but the barest taste of the kinds of punishment we can impose, should we deem it necessary." The chief matron smiled menacingly at Akane, whose anger turned to unease at the mention of harsher punishments.
"I hope that experience taught you it is best to follow orders. Did it, Tendo?" Warden Matsushita chastised Akane, her tone like a teacher reprimanding a wayward student.
"Yes, ma'am," Akane answered, "but if you will just let me explain why I-AHH!" Akane cried out as she felt the hard blow of a truncheon for the second time that day. This time it had been delivered to the back of her head by the chief matron herself.
"The warden only asked you a yes or no question," Chief Matron Hououji said as she sheathed her truncheon. "If she wishes any further explanation form you, she'll ask for it."
Akane instinctively moved her arms to cradle her head, but the handcuffs made it difficult. She had to make sure her hands were raised completely over her head before she could move them to where she was hurt. She turned to face the chief matron, her expression was a mix of anger and disbelief at the sudden blow.
"I can see you have an attitude problem, Tendo," Warden Matsushita commented, her tone becoming even more strict. "If I were you, I would work hard to get it under control. Do you understand?"
"Yes, ma'am," Akane slowly answered, trying to hide her outrage. All she had wanted to do was explain herself! Did they really think she deserved to be hit for that?
"Perhaps a further look at how you will serve your sentence will provide incentive for you to follow my advice," the warden continued. "We believe hard work is a critical element of our correctional program. You will be put to work and expected to perform quickly and without complaint. There are a variety of duties you will perform during your time here, including cleaning the halls, washing clothes in the laundry, and performing manual labor in the fields and along the roadways around the prison. In addition to your work detail, you have also been enrolled in this institution's behavioral correction program, specifically the anger management course, which will teach you to curb your violent tendencies. Educating inmates on why what they did was wrong and how to behave in society is paramount to the rehabilitation process here at Fujimi."
Being told she would have to perform manual labor didn't really bother Akane and, while a part of her was hesitant about it, she acknowledged that an anger management course would probably do her some good.
"One other point that I must emphasis is that we expect results in our efforts to rehabilitate prisoners," Warden Matsushita went on. "It is not merely enough that you participate in our program, you must demonstrate a real commitment to reforming yourself. Every few months, you will be subject to a review by myself, the chief matron, and your anger management instructor. If it is determined that you are not making a serious effort to rehabilitate yourself, you will be punished and given strong incentive to change your ways. Believe me when I say you don't want to experience that. Should you repeatedly fail to meet our expectations, I can petition the judge who sentenced you for an extension of your prison sentence, if I decide the situation warrants it. Considering the violent nature of your crime, I am fairly certain such an extension would be granted and granted as many times as necessary."
Akane's eyes noticeably widened at the warden's words. Warden Matsushita smiled slightly as she saw her prisoner clearly understood the implications of not behaving in her prison and keeping her attitude in check.
"I told you there was no easy time here," Chief Matron Hououji remarked, also noticing Akane's nervous expression.
"Well, that covers the basics of what your prison sentence will entail," Warden Matsushita said as she folded her hands together and looked Akane in the eye. "Do you have any questions or comments you'd like to make?"
"Y-Yes, ma'am," Akane answered, trying to keep herself calm. "I already told Chief Matron Hououji this, but I just wanted you to know that I am truly sorry for what I did. I am here to atone for my crime, not cause any trouble. I know I have a short temper and I certainly do go too far sometimes when I am upset. Still, I hope that I can overcome that and convince you that I really want to change."
"That is certainly a commendable attitude," Warden Matsushita said, "however, actions speak louder than words. Prove to me over the coming year that you truly mean what you said by not causing any more disruptions and I'll consider believing you."
"Yes, ma'am," Akane answered. She still believed she had been perfectly justified in trying to speak out earlier, but she also didn't want to give them any reason to punish her. She would try her hardest to be a model prisoner, even if it meant swallowing her pride a little. Besides, even if she felt she had been treated unfairly by the warden and the guards, she still knew she deserved to be locked up for the crime she had committed.
"Anything else?" The warden prompted.
"There is, ma'am. When will I be allowed to have visitors?" Akane asked. "I know prisons generally have times family and friends can come visit and I would like to know when."
"There is indeed a visitation policy here," Warden Matsushita answered. "We have set days when you will be permitted to meet with family or anyone else willing to see you. Whomever is visiting will need to make an appointment in advance and the visitation will be monitored and recorded for security purposes," the warden's voice became strict again, "You should also be aware that visitation is considered a privilege in this prison. It can be taken away as punishment if we feel you aren't making a serious effort to rehabilitate yourself. Understand?"
"Yes, ma'am," Akane nodded. She really wanted to talk with her father, sisters, and especially Ranma. She wanted to tell them how sorry she was for what she had done and for the shame she had brought to their family.
"If there is nothing else, then our little meeting is concluded," Warden Matsushita spoke as she turned to Chief Matron Hououji. "Please escort Tendo and the others to collect their prison supplies and then to their cells to get settled in. It's getting late and they have a long day ahead of them tomorrow."
"Yes, ma'am," the chief matron replied, grabbing Akane by the shoulder and lifting her to her feet. "Let's go, Tendo."
Akane rejoined the line of prisoners outside and they were led out of the pristinely-decorated administrative wing and back into the dreary halls of the rest of the penal complex.
Their next stop was at a supply closet, where a guard passed each prisoner their initially allotted prison supplies. Said supplies consisted of a set of linen sheets, basic toiletries and hygiene items, and a mesh laundry bag. The sheets were a dull gray color that matched their uniforms. The issued toiletries and hygiene products were very basic and utilitarian, the bare minimum to meet health standards. Everything was stacked inside the laundry bag to make it easier to carry. The guard on duty explained they would be able to acquire additional items at the commissary once their initial supplies ran out.
Once more, the realities of prison life hit Akane as she realized the only items available to her would be whatever the commissary stocked and those would certainly be very cheap. No fancy soaps or scented shampoos for prisoners. Even such personal choices as hygiene items were no longer theirs to make. They were only permitted what the prison gave them.
Carrying their laundry bags filled with their issued supplies in their arms, the line of prisoners entered a large, circular room with a central guard station and several sets of steel double doors on the outer wall, branching off like spokes on a wheel. Each set of double doors had a single letter painted on it, starting with 'A' for the leftmost and going alphabetically for each door clockwise. The prisoners were brought to a halt.
"This is the housing wing of the prison," Chief Matron Hououji explained. "Each corridor branching off from this main one leads to a different cellblock. Inmates are assigned to a block based on their crime and general temperament. You will now be taken to your cells and locked in. I strongly suggest you each read the copy of the prison rules provided in your cells. Follow the rules and your time here, while not easy, will be less difficult. Now, let's get you all locked in for the evening."
The chief matron began dividing the prisoners based on cellblock, calling out their last names and assigning a guard to escort them inside and to their cells. Akane was once more the last one remaining.
"That just leaves you, Tendo. And since you've already developed a 'rapport' with Officer Yamada," she smirked at her jest, "I think he's perfect for showing you to your cell."
Akane's sullen expression only deepened. More time with the damned pervert. She watched guardedly as he approached.
"Come along, Tendo," he ordered as he grabbed her arm. He practically jerked her into motion and she nearly stumbled.
Officer Yamada brought Akane to the doors labeled 'D'. He nodded back to the guard station, where one of the on-duty officers opened the doors electronically. On the other side was a hallway that stretched to yet another set of steel doors at the end. Down this corridor they marched. At the end of the hallway there was a large window that revealed another guard station with two more guards seated in front of computers. Inside the office, a second large window was visible that seemed to look out into whatever was beyond the next set of steel doors.
"Hey, Yamada," one of the guards greeted, his voice crackled slightly over the speaker built into the window. "I take it this is the new prisoner for D-Block."
"That's right, this is Prisoner 797455, Tendo," Officer Yamada answered.
"Pretty cute," the other guard said as he leered at Akane, causing her to shift uncomfortably. Yet another pervert.
The first guard had gone back to their computer. "There's an open bunk in cell thirteen. We'll unlock it as soon as you get down there."
The guard pushed a button on his terminal and the doors opened. Akane was quickly ushered through.
"Welcome to D-Block, our maximum security block for violent offenders," Officer Yamada explained. "You'll fit right in."
D-Block was a long corridor with prison cells on both sides. The front walls and doors of the cells were barred, allowing anyone to see in or out. Small metal plates were bolted onto the bars of the cells that numbered them, starting with D-01 on the left and D-02 on the right. The numbering continued with odd numbered cells on the left and even numbered cells on the right. And through the bars of the cells, Akane could make out figures clad in the same gray prison clothes she wore watching her intently as she was marched past. It didn't take long for them to start speaking. Before long the entire cell block was filled with voices, many of them insults and threats directed her way. She kept her head low and clutched her issued prison supplies to her chest, wanting this to all be some terrible nightmare she would wake up from any minute.
"We're here," Officer Yamada brought Akane to a halt in front of the cell marked as D-13. "Your new home."
Akane looked up and through the bars of what was to be her new home for the next year. There was a set of bunk beds against the wall to her right. A toilet and sink were against the wall to her left, visible for all to see. On the back wall was a single desk and stool, bolted to the wall and floor respectively. Next to the desk was a small set of shelves where prisoners were intended to put any permitted items when they were not being used. A single window with a pane of bars covering it was set high on the back wall.
Sitting on the lower bunk was another woman dressed in the gray prison uniform. She stared at Akane with a curious expression.
The guards in the security station unlocked the cell door electronically and the bars slid open with a loud clang.
"In you go, Tendo," Officer Yamada prompted.
Akane hesitantly began to step over the threshold of her cell, only to stumble through when her jailor placed his hand on her butt and shoved her inside. She automatically regained her footing and twirled around with rage to confront him. The door clanged shut again.
"I swear if you do that one more time…"
"You'll do what, bitch?"
Akane didn't answer, only scowling at the perverted guard.
"That's what I thought," Officer Yamada laughed. "Now, hold your hands through the slot. Unless you want to keep those pretty bracelets on."
Still glowering, she placed her prison supplies on the unoccupied bunk and then held her arms through a small rectangular slot in the center of the barred door. She couldn't help letting out a relived sigh as the handcuffs were unlocked. Retracting her arms, she eagerly rubbed her wrists.
"Try and get along with your new friend," Officer Yamada said as he walked off, leaving Akane with her cellmate.
"Warden Matsushita, the visitor you have been expecting has arrived," came the voice of the secretary over the speaker of the phone on the desk.
"Send her in," the Chief Matron replied.
The door to her office opened to admit the visitor: a young woman with raven hair in a long ponytail with a briefcase in hand.
"It certainly has been a while," the warden said as she greeted her guest. "I must admit, I was a little surprised when you called me up out of the blue, Miss Kuno."
"Call me Kodachi." The young woman smiled. "My mother counted you among her closest friends; there is no need for formalities between us."
"Please, have a seat." Warden Matsushita gestured to a chair before her desk. "You have grown into a very beautiful young woman, the spitting image of your mother. It's a shame she isn't around to see it."
"It certainly is," Kodachi answered softly.
"I'm sorry," Warden Matsushita said, seeing the Kodachi's downcast expression, "I didn't mean to remind you about…"
"Its fine," Kodachi interrupted, the forlorn expression fading from her face almost as quickly as it had come, "I shouldn't let old memories bother me so much."
"So, what exactly did you want to see me for?" the warden asked, wanting to move to another subject. "You mentioned over the phone that you had a favor to ask me, but I honestly don't see what kind of favor I am in the position to give you."
"Well, it involves one of your new prisoners," Kodachi began, a sinister smile on her lips, "a horrible woman by the name of Akane Tendo."
Next: Akane meets her cellmate.
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