Every morning the ritual of the reading of the charge and verdict were read promptly

Every morning the ritual of the reading of the charge and verdict were read promptly

fiction
edward w pritchard

Every morning the ritual of the reading of the charge and verdict were read promptly  at 8AM.

First the prisoner was awakened and shaved and completed his toilette. At half past seven the breakfast of the day was served, according to the day of the week and the cook's whim unless there was a drought in the local countryside or other such interruption of the routine.

At five of eight the prisoner Delton Wilberry was returned to his cell and sat in his chair facing the doorway. At exactly eight AM Jailer Johnson read the verdict again as he had done yesterday and the day before and the day before that for the last six years and four months and three day. Jailer Johnson would continue to read the prisoner the verdict for the next thirteen years seven months and 27 days or until he Jailer Johnson became very sick or expired and was unable to complete all the duties of his job as a jailer.

After the verdict and sentence was read Delton Wilberry went about his day there in the cell. Sometimes the jailers would issue Delton a new razor or soap and other toiletries for the next morning. Lunch was at noon and dinner at 5:30 PM sharp. Each afternoon there was a half hour mandatory exercise period in the yard barring heavy rains.

Usually Delton Wilberry was indifferent concerning the reading of the verdict and sentence. Sometimes however, Delton would react with emotion or passion to the mornings AM reading of the verdict and sentence. At times it seemed he was hearing the verdict for the first time. No matter despite Delton's reaction to the verdict the routine of the jail would be exactly the same each day and tomorrow at 8 AM sharp the verdict and sentencing would be promptly reread again.

Unless there was a drought or other disruption in the local countryside the routine at the jail would be followed every day.The prisoners reaction to the reading of the verdict and sentence in reality had no bearing on the operation of the jail or the job description of the jailers on duty.