level_act11mini_st06

<i>Dear Mr. K:</i>

<i>I hope all is well. I am writing to you from Mansfield State Prison, it's midnight.</i>

<i>Hardly anything has changed since I first infiltrated the place.</i>

<i>The prison guards like to throw their weight around and do basically nothing else. All the prisoners can do is costume what little sanity they have in fights.</i>

<i>As for me, the prisoners and guards here are treating me with much—</i>

Jesselton ponders at the word 'much' for a brief moment. He takes out a yellowed letter from his pillowcase. The sender of the letter is 'Mr. K,' and he is the recipient.

He quietly reads its contents to himself under the dim light from outside his cell.

'Please wait patiently, for the time being. Do not attract attention or cause trouble...'

'You are still an important asset to Beachbrella, and we will keep your position and benefits unchanged...'

'As long as you maintain good behavior while you are imprisoned, when the time is right, we will restore your freedom and double your compensation...'

Hmph.

The company's too slow to react. Look how long it took just for this letter to reach me.

Jesselton shakes his hand and neatly folds the letter, puts it into the envelope, and stuffs it into his pillow case.

Son of a bitch... That was such an intense dream, and a single piss ended it...

Yo, if it ain't Jesselton. Up late writing letters again?

You wrote one last week, and you're another one now. Who are you writing to anyway?

None of your business.

Come on, what's there to hide? Can't you show us? What'cha writing? Asking your folks for money? Threatening your wife to make sure she stays faithful?

I made a bet with another guy today. Ten cigs on the line.

C'mon, just tell me what you're writing. If I win the smokes, I'll give you half.

Sorry, but I have to ask you to please respect my privacy.

Fine, fine. You got your right to privacy. Sure.

You came in here dressed as a prison guard, ready to do some killing. And not only did you not actually kill anyone, you got locked up here. You might wanna stop acting all haughty, like anyone's got any privacy here.

Is that all of them?

Jesselton's not here yet!

Jesselton? What's with him this time?

He tripped when he left his cell and slammed his head on the bars!

Sorry about that. I was in the infirmary.

Infirmary? Must've been real bad, huh?

Alright, tell me who tripped you. You were my 'coworker,' and you've been behaving. I'll take it out on them for you.

No one tripped me. I just got clumsy, banged my own head.

Really?

Really.

Then stop going to the infirmary every chance you get! Just about everyone here knows you're sturdier than a steel bar!

Alright, all of you, get to work! Jesselton, come with me. I have a special assignment for you.

No, thanks. I can do the same work as the other prisoners—

Can it. With me!

Here. Take the bucket. And some soap, too. Now, go clean all the toilets in A-Zone!

Alright, if that's the mission you had in mind for me.

I don't see a brush, though?

What d'you need a brush for?

Mighty as you are, I bet you can make steel wool with your Arts. Now go! And those bathrooms better be spotless when I check 'em, or you ain't getting dinner tonight!

Ha... haha!

(Takes a deep breath)

As you wish, Jailer. After all, you're the one with the power here and now.

Damn, he got toilet duty, and he's still acting like it's nothing.

Jesselton, you're back?

Nice work. Must be hard, doing a dirty job like that.

No big deal. Nothing I'd ever worry about.

Here's a roll from lunch.

Thanks, Rick. I'm glad I went to the infirmary to poke around for you.

So you didn't actually slam into the steel bars. You faked it to help me out? How could I ever repay you?

So, how's my prognosis?

The doctor is a pain to deal with. It took a small sum of money to get him to talk.

He says your liver disease needs attention now—

Jesselton, you made new friends again, huh?

Grr.

I don't care what you do here, you're fighting with us today!

Sorry, but I'm not interested in your games.

Not interested? You know how we've been getting our asses handed to us by the Infected punks?

Ever since you let Anthony get away, the B-Zone assholes have been giving us less and less respect. This is all your fault, and you're telling me you ain't going?

If you ain't going, then just you wait. The next time you are on toilet duty, we'll have a surprise for you!

Sorry, but I'm not quite as vulgar as your kind. I don't find such lowly violence satisfying in the least.

Jesselton, you should go...

Hey, you. Rick, is it? You've been here for a couple days, right? Here's some serious advice: you better stay away from this guy. He's not the kind-hearted soul you think he is!

What do you mean? Jesselton's helped me out a lot—

Aww, and here I was actually trying to be nice.

Jesselton, the rumble's happening real soon, and you better head on over right now! If you're late, I'll give you a good beating myself!

(Shrugs)

If you want me there so badly, I'll go take a look.

Not just a look—You gotta—

Whatever, I better see you there!

Look who's here!

Hey, Jesselton, you look good in that outfit!

Tired of being a guard? Decided to join the rest of us?

Hahahahahaha!

(Quietly) Jesselton, I heard you could arm wrestle Anthony. These guys gotta be no problem, right?

What a dumb question. I'm actually a little insulted.

A few lone Infected—

Please wait patiently in the prison for the time being. Do not attract attention or cause any trouble.

You heard him, you Infected punks? Jesselton said a few Infected can't take him!

Alright, let's see what this fake jailer's got!

Get him!

Heh, they're fighting again—Hey, who's that?

Jesselton?

Hey, I'm betting on A-Zone today.

Thanks for the free money, then. I bet this doesn't work out for A-Zone.

Jesselton, what are you standing there for like a bump on a log? Get 'em!

Jesselton, you—

Jesselton, motherf—What, are you on their side?!

Hah! You A-Zone pussies can't take us! Your new hero here? He won't save you! Just wait! By the time this is over, we'll put you out of your misery.

You know, beating these guys to death's no fun.

What do you mean?

The one we should really beat the shit out is the fake jailer. He's all bark and no bite, don't you think?

What did he just say? 'A few Infected can't take him?'

Just looking at his face gets me heated. Even if he's not coming for me, I'm getting at least one good hit in—

Mother, son of a—I think I got a few broken bones! He's like a hunk of metal. It's like punching a steel plate!

Take this crowbar!

That's what I'm talking about! Put him down!

(Whistles) It's not gonna hurt him.

The crowbar bent?!

What, you B-Zone doofuses didn't know about his Arts?

You say that like you could do anything about it!

Besides, you guys brought him here to help out, and he ain't doing jack shit. Might as well have brought a statue!

Jesselton, you better make up your mind right now!

Gentlemen, I suggest you settle down.

I never agreed to participate in your vulgar brawl, just being here is about the edge of my patience.

If any of you still had a shred of sanity left, you'd stand aside and let me leave.

Still rambling away?

We brought you here to help out with the rumble, not watch from the sidelines!

I get it. You can't forget the old days when you were still a jailer. You came to reminisce, huh?

Take this!

Oww... My wrist...

Gentlemen, I'm afraid I've had it with this charade.

Not that you were in great shape to begin with, but the more you strike me, the more you are going to hurt yourselves.

Besides, I'm afraid I don't have much of an appreciation for the joys of a brawl.

It's sad enough that you're prisoners, but to miss out on the most fundamental elements of taste... Tsk, tsk, tsk.

*Prisoner C unleashes a string of Columbian profanity too filthy to render faithfully*

Come on, boys! All of us, on him! Let's see how long lasts!

I thought the A-Zones brought him here to help out... What's this? Friendly fire?

Looks like it.

*Sigh*... If we weren't in the cells, I would totally go downstairs to get me a tub of popcorn.

So what do we do now? Watch the show?

What show? Didn't I just say there's no popcorn?!

We're joining in and beating this asshole down!

Hm? You aren't here to fight. What are you doing here?

I'm grabbing a little something. Spice things up for everyone, y'know?

What something?

(Whispers)

Pff.

Alright, go. Make sure you come back, or I'll personally skin you alive—

And remember what you said. If you bring anything else, I'll make sure you never tell another lie, ever.

Got it!

What did he say?

Don't worry about it. Just watch the show.

Honestly, it's getting boring.

This Jesselton's a real tough cookie. He hasn't taken a scratch, while the others got all their hacksaws and whatnot broken.

*pant*... *pant*...

*gasp*... *gasp*...

Well, this was hardly my intent, but it seems none of you can fight anymore?

If me being here moved you a little closer to a truce, then this hasn't necessarily been a total waste.

Adieu, gentlemen—

*Splash*—

What's this—acid?!

No, this is—

Ulghh!

Shit, this stinks! Where'd it come from? Who brought it?!

Jesselton, weren't you, like, real badass? Got fine tastes and shit, and no one can do nothin' about you?

I got you some of that water you use to clean toilets. How does it feel to bathe in it?

What'cha gonna do now? Give me a beatdown? Come, do it. Weren't you all nice and calm just now?

You are still an important asset to Beachbrella, and we will keep your position and benefits unchanged...

I'm not going to stoop to the level of a bunch of thugs.

Coward! Wimp!

You can say all you want and do whatever pleases you, but your filth won't hurt me one bit. Your underhanded moves do nothing but demonstrate your senselessness.

Now, I bid you good day.

Jeez, I'm starting to look up to this guy some.

Get lost! Your stink is killing us here!

Go back to your cell and cry, and remember to change your clothes before you get back into your bunk if you don't want your sheets to stink too! Haha!

Hahahaha!

So, how's that? What do you think?

I gotta give that kid from B-Zone an extra portion for his meal—Wait, what do we do about our bet?

I win, obviously.

What are you talking about?

Don't you remember what I said? I bet he wouldn't work out for A-Zone.

You fancy-tongued cheat!

Jesselton? What's wrong? Are you hurt—

Ugh... You stink!

What did they do to you?

Just their usual stupidity. Pay it no mind.

How could they do this?!

Do you have a spare uniform? Lend it to me, will you?

I only have one extra set myself...

Jesselton...?

Please, go back to your cell. I'll clean myself up and wash my clothes.

You're here.

Your clothes are wet?

Sorry... I shouldn't have been so stingy. Here, I brought you my extra set.

(How naively sympathetic... I can't wait to see his reaction after he reads this letter.)

(He is already thankful enough. Now I just need a little spark to ignite his hatred...)

(Ah, how lucky I am to have such recreation during my brief incarceration.)

Jesselton? What's the matter? Are you alright?

Nothing. Don't worry.

Let's talk about you instead.

The report says that your liver problems were caused by your alcoholism, and even though you haven't drunk since coming here, the chemical products you come into contact with during work can still cause damage to your body.

The doctor told me himself that your outlook isn't good, if this keeps up.

Good lord... My wife, my kids... They're only seven and eight... I'm so sorry I'm putting them through all this...

Speaking of which, not only did the doctor show me your physical, he also gave me the letter your wife sent you.

A letter? From Patty? Why would he have it?

The doctor said it's out of concern for your health. He doesn't want you to get too agitated.

But now that he has told me about your situation, there isn't really a point to hiding it from you anymore.

Thank goodness, Patty's still writing me. If I have to die in here, at least I can die happy! What did she say?

Well... Maybe you should take a look yourself.

(I only hope my handwriting resembles the wife's enough after all that practice.)

'It is with sorrow that I must tell you this. I cannot bear the life you've left me any longer. I have decided to marry Bill—'

What?!

I—Jesselton, this is really—

Patty wants to marry my brother?! He's just 15!

(Shit, his brother's named Bill?!)

You—Think again. Do you know anyone else by that name?

Other Bills huh...? Bill Dickinson, the carpenter? The one who just lost his wife before I was arrested?!

I—I need to talk to Patty face-to-face! How could she abandon me just because I'm in here? She's gonna have our kids call that old, lame carpenter their father?!

I'm sorry, Rick.

Jesselton, I really—I don't know what to say. If you hadn't brought me this letter...

Rick, it's not yet time to thank me.

What do you mean?

We both know that money and power rule Columbia.

Think about it. Why did Patty elope with the carpenter? All for money.

You were sent to prison, and you became a burden. That's why she decided to marry a lame old man instead of staying with you, the one she loves.

If you want revenge...

Revenge? No, I was just going to ask Patty face-to-face...

What happens then? Will you let her go? And even if you let her marry Bill, will you just abandon your children like that?

You thought Patty loved you, and you love her, but how much is love worth here in Columbia?

Patty betrayed you, and she will even teach your children to betray their own father! Is there really not the tiniest bit of hatred in you?

Jesselton, please... stop it...

(How naive can this man be...? Looks like I'll have to get straight to the point.)

(It'll be okay. Even if I told him I'm getting out soon, he wouldn't be envious, only jealous.)

Right now, we only have one choice, and that is to seize wealth and power for ourselves!

Wealth... and power? How will those help me get my children back?

If you had money to make bail, you could leave this place on parole and take your children back from Patty.

If I had money, I wouldn't have been set up in the first place...

Then there is only power left.

Truth be told, I have some connections both inside and outside of the prison.

I have some friends I can count on, and they will come to get me soon.

Really?

Of course.

After years of hard work, I've managed to earn myself a tiny bit of influence, too.

The only reason I'm trapped here in this prison is because of an unfortunate accident and a minor delay. This is only a brief interlude.

Wow...

Jesselton, thank you. Thanks for talking to me, and picking me up when I've hit rock bottom.

Have more confidence in yourself, Rick.

As long as you can make yourself useful enough or someone is willing to give you a hand, you will never hit rock bottom in Columbia.

And it's no exaggeration to say that I'm the former and you're the latter.

The latter—Someone's willing to give me a hand... You're going to help me even more?

Certainly.

I'm going to introduce some of my connections to you so that you can perhaps get a conversation going with the men up top, and when the time comes...

Rick!

Rick Grey!

Yes! Here!

Out. Someone's looking for you.

Alright...

Get moving! You hit dogshit jackpot this time. Your family's raised enough money for bail. Now hurry up and get your parole paperwork done!

My God—I—

Who... Who raised the money for me? My old man?

Can the questions. Do you want out or not?!

Please, tell me. Who paid my bail?

Enough blabbering! It's a Patty, same last name as yours. You satisfied? Now get a move-on!

Patty?!

Hey, my old 'coworker' buddy. We meet again.

How could a poor bastard like this afford bail? Could it be that you—No, impossible!

Don't look at me. Like I'm gonna blow money on a prisoner?

Still, you'd better not assume we don't know your tricks. Your habit of 'making friends?' Even the warden knows about it now.

He had me come keep an eye on you. Make sure you don't get any funny ideas.

So it was you after all?

Don't get the wrong idea. Luck's actually on his side. His wife apparently sold their house or something and scraped enough together to make bail, that's all.

And if you have to say we pulled any tricks... All we did was take our time with the paperwork and cause a little extra delay.

Delay?

We knew a week ago that his wife had the bail money.

Just thinking about how you spent the whole week running all over the place to spend the little cash you had to pull strings—Pwahahaha!

So how many pennies are left in your pockets?

A tint of ferocity emerges in Jesselton's eyes.

As long as you maintain good behavior while you are imprisoned, when the time is right, we will restore your freedom and double your compensation...

Black substances start to solidify on his arm—

Well, shit, you're getting serious?

And then recede.

Of course not.

Only fools resort to violence to vent their anger.

That's too bad. After Anthony got away, the bosses gave us these high-voltage tasers. Here I was hoping to try mine out.

You might want to try it on someone else. We won't be seeing each other much longer, my dear, vulgar jailer.

What now? Someone's going to post your bail?

Bail... Of course.

Well, that's just rich. If someone was going to bail you out, how it's Rick packing up instead of you?

How shallow.

Do you think those who truly possess wealth and power would spend it pulling someone out of prison?

Heh, look at you talk.

I'm merely stating the facts.

Well, I hope someone comes get you soon, then, and not the kind that pays your way out.

But, for now, you're still an inmate at Mansfield State Prison. Got it?

Then take this bucket and soap! You still have C-Zone's toilets to clean!

<i>Dear Mr. K:</i>

<i>I hope all is well. I am writing to you from Mansfield State Prison, it's midnight.</i>

<i>Hardly anything has changed since I first infiltrated the place.</i>

<i>The prison guards like to throw their weight around and do basically nothing else. All the prisoners can do is costume what little sanity they have in fights.</i>

<i>My most respected sir, please get me out of this prison as soon as possible.</i>

<i>I know better than anyone that, given your influence, saving me should be a trivial matter.</i>

<i>In your letter, you called me an important asset to the Beachbrella Company, but I understand that I am merely one of the company's countless employees. The only reason that I am considered a more valuable asset than others is the greater power I possess.</i>

<i>I implore you to help me out of this place as soon as possible. Prolonged incarceration will cost me the edge I had. The value that I could provide you would be diminished.</i>

<i>Your loyal...</i>

Jesselton stops at his signature.

He grips his pen with force and grits his teeth, crossing out his original signature.

'Your humblest servant, Jesselton Williams.'

This... This will do.

Chin up, Jesselton. Chin up... You've been Beachbrella's employee of the year for five consecutive years now. They will not abandon you.

They will not abandon you!

That's right. They will never abandon you!

Soon. It will be very soon.

Once I get out of this place, I will find a way to get back at these prisoners and the guards—

Never mind. I'll worry about this after I'm out.

Whatever happened to Jesselton Williams?

Would Beachbrella's Mr. K extend a helping hand to his employee in distress?

Stay tuned to Channel 58 and find out on the next 'True Stories.'

Hahahaha... Hahahahaha!

Oh, I'm so gonna watch this again. What's this called? 'True Stories?'

I told you you were going to love this show!

I've been watching it for a while now, but the actor who plays Jesselton's really nailing it!

Channel 58's upped their game with this one. Where'd they find such a great actor anyway? What else is he in?

No clue. The main selling point of the show is its mockumentaries, and they don't ever credit their actors.

He's probably fresh from some drama school. I bet he's got a bright future ahead of him, haha!

To a bright future!

To a bright future.

This is some good stuff.

Fine booze.

You know, I'm just thinking.

What if that guy wasn't an actor, and he was actually the guy himself. What do you think?

Not a bad joke.

I'm not—

It's a good one. Haha!

Hahahaha!

Hahaha...

(Music)

'True Stories' is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events is entirely coincidental.

See you next week.