Fourth Man (Socks CCXVII)

"You alright? Would you like some water?"
Grunter looked up at the attorney, "How about some aspirin."
"Not in here. I'll get you some water."
The man left the table for a short time. Grunter downed the water.
"Let's get down to business. You're fourth on the docket."
"What time do I see the judge?"
"You won't, but he'll see you. It's all done by closed circuit TV."
"Ok, when?"
"Soon. I want you to ask to go to the bathroom. Wash your face. Wet your hair, straighten it up as much as you can."
"I don't have a comb."

Last Man (Socks CCXVI)

Just as Grunter laid down on the slab the guard came back. Without calling any names, "I guess your the last belle at the ball. Your lawyer's here."
Grunter was led to a room. The people from the night before were there, each one talking with a person with a briefcase.
"Your wife's attorney called me last night. I can represent you in this matter."
"How did? Who called you?"
"Your wife called her attorney. Apparently you left a message that you had been arrested."
Grunter put his elbows on the table, his face in has hands, rubbing his eyes.

Calling Names (Socks CCXV)

After a while the guard came to the door holding a clipboard, he called several names, "Your lawyers are here."
Grunter, Hairy, and one other the were the last ones left in the room. The third man, with white, messed up hair, and teeth missing, walked to the toilet, and unzipped his pants.
Grunter got up and went to the vacant slab.
"Don't lay down, that's my spot."
"Is your name on it?"
Hairy sat up on his slab, "Respect your elders, numb nu..."
The guard called two names.
Hairy put his shirt on, "You can have the bed now."

A Little Gift (Socks CCXIV)

"Didn't you get to make a call when you got here?"
"Yes, I called my wife's cell, and left a message."
From back in the room, "You don't call a wife, if she's mad, she'll leave you here. You're supposed to call a lawyer."
The hairy man was standing again, "I'm going back to sleep. Why don't you go sit down and shut up?"
As the guard walked away, "Yea, go sit down. We'll call you when the judge gets here."
As Grunter passed the toilet, "Whew!" He then flushed.
Hairy laughed, "I left that, just for you. Like it?"

Morning Surprise (Socks CCXIII)

Grunter found the only place in the room left to sit on the floor with his back to the wall. It was right next to the toilet. He was soon asleep.
Just as daylight began to break through the one small window, high up on the wall, Grunter woke. The man with the hairy back was noisily sitting on the toilet, a terrible smell filled the area.
Grunter went over by the door, "Hey. Guard."
"What do you want?"
"How long am I gonna be in here?"
"The judge will be in about nine."
"Can I make a phone call?"

Cellmate (Socks CCXII)

A half dozen other men were in the room. The room didn't smell very good.
After a few minutes Grunter started to walk across the room.
"Where you going?"
"I was going to sit down."
"No you're not," a man with a hairy back was lying one of two raised slabs, that looked as if they were made of the same material as the floor, his shirt was under his head. "Go back, and block the light so I can sleep."
"But, I..."
"Do it, a$$#*!(."
Grunter went back to the door, staying there until after the man started snoring.

Protocol (Socks CCXI)

Grunter finally took his hands from behind his back, and another blue man gave him orders, "Start with your thumb."
"Turn to the right."
"Turn to the left."
"Look straight ahead," then lights would flash.
He was taken to a small room. A blue man put grunter's "valuables" in a brown bag. Next he gave his belt to the man.
"Why the hell do you need my shoelaces?"
"It's protocol, sir."
The shoelaces were turned over, "Sign here, sir."
Now he was guided to another room, the door closed with a clank.
Grunter stood with his back to the door.