[ voice ]

[hostage]

[He's so bored, he can't take it anymore. Asking for trouble, maybe, but there's all kinds of excitement he's missing with the new arrivals, and he's not used to missing out on it. He keeps the video feed off, unlike usual, because both his cell and he himself are a mess. His voice is only slightly hoarse, recovering from a first week in custody that was spent screaming.]

So what's the deal with all you new guys? Usually I do this in person but I'm, uh, a little tied up right now. Anyway, lemme hear it. Where you from? Whatcha usually get up to? How you feeling about being in this skanky shithole up on the moon?

Hope the rest of you guys didn't leave 'em starving.

Comments

[hostage]

I'm three months clean. Test me. And why don't you try asking how that woman I supposedly "victimized" feels about this? 'cause so far it's been you talking for her when she never gave permission, never wanted to press charges, and it's all been you using her for your little game.

[legal_eagle]

[Sharply:]

My little game, is it. Okay. So, answer me this. Can you really, really not think of any other women you've ever victimized?

[hostage]

You gonna charge me with something new now the others fell through? Huh?

[legal_eagle]

[A moment of silence, and then a harsh and jagged laugh.]

Fuck you. Fuck you.

[hostage]

Yeah. I thought so.

[legal_eagle]

[A pause, and then, harshly:]

And what if I did?

[hostage]

It'd be bullshit. I didn't attack anybody.

[legal_eagle]

Or no one who matters, at least. Right?

[hostage]

I. Didn't. Attack. Anybody.

[legal_eagle]

[Silence, and then she speaks. Her voice breaks; it sounds dangerously close to tears.]

Burn in hell.

[And then she slams it off.]