Truth Underneath the Surface

In all Fimi’s wildest imaginations, it never crossed her mind that one day, she’ll step into a prison premises not as a visitor, but as a convicted criminal. The mere thought of isolation, routine and poor diet increased her heartbeat, making her perspire even more. Two female wardens sat opposite her, it was quiet, which added to the sense of loneliness she was battling with. All her adult life had been cheerfully noisy; her extrovert nature was visible wherever she found herself. This sudden turn of event frightened her beyond explanation. She pondered on how someone’s life could change within a short notice. She marked her forty-fifth birthday three months ago in a five star hotel in the Bahamas. Some of her friends in her social circle flew in to rock the party and leave a fashion statement. She had a complete make-over in preparation for the event; shopped at different designer boutiques and hired an extravagant event planner. Fimi wanted a party which would throw her to lime-light in the society pages of leading fashion magazines and that was exactly what she got.

The prison van finally halted in front of a building with high walls and the inscription – Poma Women Prison, Ireland. She got down from the van in handcuffs and leg chains. The two female wardens who embarked on the journey with her from the courthouse led her inside. They walked through a long, well lighted corridor, with stern looking guards strategically positioned before turning left into a room. She was relieved of her handcuffs and leg chains and given prison uniform to change into including a slate with numbers written on which she hung on her neck while a photographer took pictures of her front and side views. She filled a form and her finger prints were taken then a warden handed her prison properties comprising two bed sheet and pillow cases, one blanket, one towel, soap, sponge, toothbrush and paste, body and hair cream, hair brush, sanitary wears, tissue paper, four set of under wears, a pair of rubber shoes, an extra uniform and writing materials. They were all neatly packed in a basket which she carried as she was led by a male and female warden to her cell. They stopped at cell number 251, the heavy metal door was unlocked, she stepped in and the door was immediately slammed shut. The small cell had a double-decker bed, a small table and chair by the corner, including a toilet and a wash-hand basin in front of her. Lying on the bed below was a brunette with an oval face and brown eyes. She stared at Fimi for awhile then asked “What’s your name?”

Fimi looked at her and wondered what this pretty lady did to end up here, then she replied “Fimi”.

“Am Sally” she said; “Welcome to your new world. Rule number one, don’t talk back at the wardens or be rude to them. If you do, you’ll wish you were dumb the day you walked in here. Rule number two, watch out for the Tigress Gang, you’ll know them when you see them and Rule number three, do not snore. My last cellmate gave me headaches with her snores and I frustrated her out of here. So, on a lighter note, what did you do to wind-up here?”

Fimi cleared her throat and said “I took what didn’t belong to me.”