of the three men.
"Yeah, then what you in for?" they asked again.
"Tax evasion," Slash responded.
"Tax evasion," one of the prisoners stated almost laughing.
"Yeah, tax evasion," Slash answered back making a strong stand.
Slash had been around long enough to know he had to convince them he was no child molester, or it would simply be a matter of time before someone slashed his throat, or he got shanked in his sleep.
"Someone is feeding you bullshit. You want a piece of me? Bring it on," Slash challenged, bracing himself.
Just then, a couple of the guards came into the library. The men stared at Slash and nodded slowly backing off.
"We find out different and your time here is going to come to an abrupt end," one of the inmates told him as they walked away.
Slash knew he had bought some time.
However, two days later three men jumped him in the shower. They had beaten him severely and made sure he knew they would be coming after him again; if he lived through this one. Slash knew, as the guards carried him to the infirmary, that next time he might not be so lucky.
One month and thirty two stitches later he was released from the infirmary. Though the Warden had offered Slash protection in exchange for information on who did this, Slash refused to comment and was sent back to the general population.
Slash knew he had to get to the source of the rumors before someone took it upon himself to finish the job once and for all. As a result, Slash became paranoid about anyone coming too close to him, so he kept to himself as much as possible.
In every prison you have those who belong to a gang or are protected by a gang, those who keep their heads low and avoid any eye contact. Slash had been marked and needed protection; no one protects a child molester. He had to convince the gang lords he was no child molester, and he needed to find out who started the rumor.
After considering all of his options, he decided to approach the leader of the black gang. Italians were in the minority here, so he had to either approach the Hispanics, or go to the folks of a darker persuasion. In any case, he had to make peace before someone killed him. Luckily he happened to know one of the black gang members; someone he had met during some drug negotiations back in Chicago. Though reluctant, the guy vouched for Slash, and he was given a chance to talk to their leader. After some hard talking and an agreement to pay in cigarettes, Slash received protection until the issue was settled.
Word went out he was no child molester and would pay to find out who started the rumor. It would be almost six weeks before the information got to him that it had started in solitary.
Slash instantly knew it had to come from the prisoner in cell 432.
"Well. The guy is running scared," thought Slash. "Guess I'm going to have to visit him once more and give him the news."
It would be another three weeks before Slash got the opportunity to visit solitary again.
Approaching cell 432 he called out, "Hey, you want any books to read?"
"Yeah, sure, what you got?" asked the prisoner as he approached the cell door.
It was not Joey Escalla.
Slash was shocked. Joey Escalla was no longer in that cell. The prisoner now occupying the cell only knew the previous prisoner had been transferred to another cell but didn't know where.
Slash smiled to himself knowing full well it was simply a matter of time before he would find out where the guy going by the name of Joey Escalla was moved to, and time was all they had.
Using the vehicle of gossip and rumors, Joey was able to spread the word that the man known to all as Slash had raped a young child and had gotten away with it. He knew this would buy him some time and maybe eliminate the threat altogether. Joey was pleased when he found out that Slash had been attacked. Unfortunately, he had not been killed, forcing Joey to come up with another plan to avoid any future encounters with Slash. Since he had been a model prisoner, the warden was cooperative in allowing Joey to move out of solitary confinement for the remainder of his stay; now only several weeks away. As long as Slash did not get wind of his release date, he would be ok.
However, that was not the case. A month before Joey was scheduled to be released, Slash discovered where he had been moved and quickly took steps to get close to him.
Pushing his wagon filled with books, Slash came alongside Joey's cell. "Hey, Joey, you want any books?" Slash asked as he stared at the man in the cell.
Joey got up and walked over to the cell door. "Sure. Do you have the book, Dead Men Tell No Tales?” Joey asked in a whisper, barely audible, while staring into his eyes.
Slash's confidence began to wither as he realized this man was not backing down now, with his menacing stare revealing his demonic intent.
"Who... Who's the book by?" asked Slash.
"I believe it was written by Frank Sabrisio," replied Joey, again whispering. "You ever heard of him?" Joey asked Slash in a very low voice.
Now backing up slightly from the cell door, Slash responded with, "I... I don't believe I have."
"Oh, pity. I am sure you would enjoy it. Especially at night, when you are all alone. By the way, I have some real good friends living in Chicago in the Chinatown district. Isn't that where your mother lives?" Joey asked, once again in a very low voice so that no one else could overhear what he was saying. "Have a good day, Mr. Genova," Joey said as he stared at Slash and smiled.
Slash stared back as a chill ran through his body. This son of a bitch just threatened his mother.
Slash moved closer to the cell, and in a controlled voice said, "You listen up you fucking bastard. I don't know what your shit is, but nobody threatens my family. Your days here are now numbered," he told Joey.
Joey stared back at Slash, smiled, and once more approached Slash."Well then if you are man enough to come after me, I look forward to it. And when I am done with you, I will make sure my friends pay your mother, your sister, Brenda, and your daughter, Eileen, my respects," Joey told Slash in a cold and calmed voice.
Slash hesitated as he suddenly realized who this man was. Like a wave rushing to shore it all came back to him now.
There was another rumor about how the Sabrisio family became extinct, and it involved the man at whom he was now staring. Slash's blood ran cold, as the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Only now did he realize the danger he had put himself and his family in.
"I'm sorry, mister... I... I didn't mean anything. I... I wasn't thinking." Slash told Joey, now stuttering some.
"Have a good day," Joey told him as he turned his back on Slash, going deeper into his cell.
"You won't be getting any static from me, sir," Slash told Joey with a shaking voice as he quickly pushed his cart along.
Present Day
The black man stared at Joey and mumbled something about not giving a shit and went to the opposite corner.
Joey
