His only enjoyment, was a good old workout at the prison gymnasium, where he could take out his frustrations with the equipment. Besides, the weather was lousy outside, and he didn't fancy taking his daily walk at all. So, he heaved his large, bulky frame off to the gym for a workout.
Amid the rhythmic clatter of the weights, and the tinny sound emanating from the integrated prison stereo, Rick had time to think and ponder.
About life.
Where he had been, where he was now, where he was heading.
The only thing, keeping his sanity, was his girlfriend outside. He looked forward to her visits, her tender smile, the hope reflected in her eyes.
If he could kiss her hand, he would, with passionate fervour. But the glass partition prevented that, and they could only smear their sweaty palms against the toughened glass.
As he was working out, a shadow passed before him and he scowled at the willowy figure standing there.
Cal.
The little snitch that got him inside in the first place.
If he hadn't blundered along, whilst hacking into the computer database, they wouldn't have been in this mess in the first place.
To make matters worse, Cal's sister, just happened to be his girlfriend. Not that it mattered much, they never got along anyway.
Rick would happily pulverise Cal's face into a pulp, but for the fact that they were constantly surrounded by guards 24/7.
Besides, he didn't want GBH added to his long list of felonies either. He desperately wanted to get out as soon as possible and start afresh.
"Hey boss," rasped Cal, his asthma rattling his chest and throat, "I heard about Clara."
Rick ignored him, concentrating on his weights.
"She's run away with the guy next door." he taunted, leaning against the wall, a smirk playing on his lips, "guess she couldn't wait any longer."
Inside, Rick was boiling, knowing it was a matter of time. He realised Cal was baiting him, expecting him to lash out. But for now, he wanted to get as far away from this weedy little nerd, before his temper got the better of him.
Rick skipped his customary shower. Actually, he'd barely broken sweat, before Cal arrived, and made his way back to his cell.
Luckily for him, he was the only occupant, Cal had been sequestered elsewhere on the block. But he wasn't alone by any chance. Still following along, sneaky little taunts whispered into his ear, was Cal, determined to get the better of him.
Rick flopped onto the hard bed and took out a book, pretending to be engrossed in it. But still, Cal continued to taunt him mercilessly. He walked up to the bunk and snatched the book out of Rick's hands.
That was it.
Rick leapt up from the bunk and swatted the book away. It clattered against the wall before flopping face downwards onto the floor, pages crinkled and bent awkwardly.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he snarled, facing up to Cal, a vein pulsating in his forehead.
"Ohhh, a baby book," crooned Cal, grinning maliciously, "I didn't think you could read."
It was a book given to him by Clara, his girlfriend. She'd suggested to him that he should educate himself. And it was a firm favorite. A book of children's classics that he read each and every night before lights out.
He wasn't ashamed at his lack of literary skills. It was the fact that he'd treasured this book more than anything he'd had in this world, and that weedy little creep was tormenting him and pushing his boundaries.
Yes, Cal was a highly educated man, with computer skills and a degree in business studies. But that didn't mean he should look down on those less fortunate than himself.
And Rick, with his quick temper, was an easy target.
Cal reached down to pick up the book, but Rick's reflexes were quicker.Grabbing hold of Cal's hand, he began to squeeze. Cal howled, hopping up and down in pain, as Rick squeezed harder.
"Leave it there!" he growled.
He could feel the bones snapping and Cal's knuckles popping as this slightly built man shrieked, gasping hard, tears pouring down his face.
It gave Rick a great sense of satisfaction, feeling those bones cracking beneath his powerful hands. Those hours in the gym had paid off eventually.
It didn't matter now. His record for good behaviour had been broken. What mattered was that he'd have a few weeks of peace and quiet, without Cal bugging him at every opportunity.
And that was satisfaction enough.
