Nadruwrini Story: The Families of Block C

[the_siobhan]

Response to the prompt "The violence inherent in the system"

“The Johnson family has a new cat,” said Mrs Carter.

Mr Carter took his bowl out of the replicator and sat down at the dinner table. Mrs Carter and Carter Junior took that as the signal to pick up their sporks and starting eating their own food.

“Where did you hear that?” asked Mr Carter.

“From Mrs Howard. Apparently they put in for a child, but they got a cat instead.”

“Do you think they’ll have a party?” Carter Junior mumbled around a mouthful of food.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full,” Mr Carter said automatically. “I don’t know, people usually have parties for babies, but I’m not sure about cats.”

“I hope so,” said Junior. “I’ve never seen a cat.”

<>

The Johnson’s did have their party, just a few days later. The families in Block C each brought a covered dish that contained fully half their calorie allowance for that day. They would all share tonight and go home with full stomachs. Somebody might even forgo a meal or two and splash out on some liquid refreshments. That was always nice when it happened.

That cat was sitting on the couch when they arrived, curled into the armrest and watching the front door as people entered in twos and threes. She held herself stock still but her eyes darted around her face tracking every movement.

Carter Junior marched right up to her and stuck out their hand. “Hi I’m a Carter,” they said. “Nice to meet you.”

The cat looked as his hand for a moment as if she wasn’t entirely sure what to do with it, then slowly reached out and took it. She had three fingers, and her palm was lined with a soft suede. “My name is...“ She stopped and her face crumpled. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember. They took my name.”

Mr Johnson rushed over and wrapped her arms around the cat’s shoulders. “You’re a Johnson now,” she said gently. “Don’t worry, you have our name.” The cat sniffled into her neck.

<>

It was a good party in the end, everybody agreed. The Johnson cat met everybody and they were able to coax her into sharing some food with them, to keep her strength up. She was much more enthusiastic about the drink. Apparently Mrs Johnson had been saving a little of her calorie allowance every day since the application went in, so they were all able to get a pleasant buzz.

Not everybody adjusted, but she would be fine.

Carter Junior visited regularly after that, and slowly they became good friends. It took a great deal of coaxing, but it was Junior was the first to get her to leave the apartment by offering to take her to the Outside room. She stood in the doorway for a long time, looking around at the green-painted walls. Finally she joined Junior where he was stretched out under the Vitamin D lamps.

“How did you end up in here,” she asked. She flopped onto her back and idly scratched the pale fur on her belly.

“We don’t ask that question here,” said Junior.

“I know.” She grinned at him, showing off pointed teeth. “So how did you?”

He laughed at her. “Murdered somebody richer than me. You?”

“Same.” She sighed. Her smile was gone. “I got caught on Earth and opted for trial there instead of going home because Kttyr still has capital punishment. But this... I think this is worse.”

Junior didn’t bother to argue and the conversation moved on to other things. Everybody had the same reaction when they arrived on the Rehabilitation Penitentiary – controlled movement, controlled roles, even controlled calories. But it worked, it always worked.

People were family here on Cellblock C.

Comments

[dissectionist]

I thoroughly enjoyed this.

[the_siobhan]

Thank you!