Would you be quiet?

But I…

Shhhh. Don’t talk. It’s enough that I have to be here with you in this. This room. This trap.

You could be quiet as well. No one wants to hear you talk, he looked at his cell mate. We used to discuss. Talked all the time. Now you want quiet?

Yes.

I’ll give you quiet, he sat on his bed. Sheets were tight. Blanket tucked. Both were silent for a while. No sound. Nothing could be heard. No screams. No cries. Just silence. And dark. Very little light.

He started to stretch. Then did push-ups. Sit-ups. A whole calisthenic routine. Touched his toes. Bent side to side. The fat one still laid in his bed. Mumbling to himself. Bodhisattva, agape, lord lead me home. A prayer for peace. Bodhisattva, agape.

Who are you talking to?

Shhhh.

Don’t shhhh me. I said, who are you talking to?

When I quit my habits, I used to meditate. Prayer.

Who are you? Allen Ginsberg? Kerouac? Some beat poet imprisoned? You’re a con like the rest of us. Even your prayer is fake. Bodhisattva? Agape? Just pray to Jesus like the rest of us you fuck.

Shhhh. I’m focused.

You’re a scam.

Bodhisattva….agape….hear my words….cleanse my soul…

You stupid man. You stupid fat man.

Bodhisattva….agape….

The lights came up. Night was over. Soon, they’d both be in the sun, the light. Darkness would cease.