Solitary

by Leland Neville

About the Author: Leland Neville's stories appear in Mystery Magazine, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Barcelona Review, Sobotka Literary Magazine, and Brilliant Flash Fiction.

Excerpt

The first thing the boss did was put me in solitary.

“This has nothing to do with your … circumstances,” he said. “All new employees need a little guidance.”

Solitary was about the size of your typical 9 feet by 6 feet cage. A green plastic shower curtain separated me from the paid employees.

“Super-Max Supercomputer is one big family,” said the boss. “Our softball team is undefeated. You’ll like it here.” The boss nervously laughed. His unease was judicious. He was responsible for almost one thousand employees.

“I’ll do my best.” I remembered to maintain eye contact.

“I’ve heard good things about you.”

The boss was undoubtedly referring to my successful completion of seven anger management courses. The only blemish on my recent record was a minor tussle in the cafeteria after being blindsided by a wad of milk-soaked corn bread. But that’s all in the past. I was recently certified as non-violent.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity,” I said while still maintaining eye contact. I smelled like Ivory soap and desperation. I wanted this job to work. I was up for parole. The third time’s the charm.

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