4. The Prison Business
The Prison Warden arose the following morning and scowled at the prospect of another busy day. The prison was almost filled with inmates and this day was one of the more difficult which arose from time to time as the need to make room for new arrivals required attention. After breakfasting and dressing, the Warden went to his office to discuss arrangements with his senior wardens.
Five men were assembled as the Warden arrived and between them they would determine the means by which each of the 120 men who occupied the furthermost block of the prison complex would be transported to the fate that awaited them. These were the men who had been used as fodder for the businesses operated by the prison and were due for release.
Each of the men in the Warden's office knew that none of the prisoners could ever be released for any hint of the activities of the prison might bring unwanted attention from government authorities. Each man present was aware of the nature and temperament of each of the prisoners in Block 8 for they had spent their allotted sentences in the penitentiary, and each was therefore able to gauge the prospects for the profitable disposal of the unwanted men.
Some years before, a network had been developed through which the "used" prisoners could be sold. Details of the sale were circulated privately and in code to potential buyers across the globe and tenders would be submitted for the ownership of the unsuspecting prisoners. The Warden's annoyance was not at the difficulty in arranging the sale but that associated with the transportation of the prisoners to their new owners. This was the time of greatest danger to the prison's operation and the Warden knew that only by meticulous attentions to every detail would the operation remain secret.
As on every occasion, the disposal of the prisoners would take place over a period of days and extensive arrangements had to be made to ensure that the successful bidders for this human cargo were able to move their purchases safely to their final destination. Most did so by sea, since there were any number of ways of illicitly landing the prisoners on any coast without detection.
Looking at the list, the Warden saw that the planned disposition of the prisoners took much the established form with most going to buyers from the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe. A few were destined for North and South America but the oil and mineral wealth of the Gulf regions and of Africa generally prevailed when bids were received.
The Warden looked over the names of the prisoners and their purchasers and, knowing the predilections of the buyers, thought that most of the matches were quite suitable. For example, the Warden noted that a set of twins who were remarkably handsome and well built had been purchased by the owner of one of the Mid East's most exclusive brothels. The twins would be cowed into submission at the end of a cane or whip and, after a few weeks, would be star attractions as they performed _s_e_x_ual act with each other and with customers. The pair had sold for some 70,000 gold coins each which, the Warden knew, meant that their owner expected them to be able to service at least 700 clients each in order that their cost could be justified. The twins were in for a long and demanding work program.
The top price, the Warden noted, had been paid for a huge Slavic man who was noted for his strength and his ability to endure pain. His purchaser was an African leader who was notorious for his inhumane treatment of his own countrymen. The Warden surmised, correctly, as it would transpire that the purchaser simply wanted the pleasure of torturing a white man for as long as possible and had been prepared to pay for the privilege.
The Warden and his men spent quite some time organising the schedule for the transport operation. Each prisoner to be "released" each day would be given a final meal in which would be concealed some mild drugs which would dull the senses. Each would be transported separately to the designated exchange points (except where a purchaser had acquired more than one body) and there the final inspection and exchange would be completed. From that point on, the owner was responsible for the safe transportation of the prisoner concerned to his final destination. The buyers spared no expense in arranging transportation since they had very considerable sums invested and none had ever been intercepted over the years.
The only point at which the operation proved difficult was at the exchange. On rare occasions, a buyer might object to the nature or condition of a prisoner, suggesting that the body did not match the description provided. This was usually just a ruse used by buyers to try and secure a discount. Rather than haggle and compromise the integrity of the tender process, the warders who attended the exchanges were under strict instructions to return the prisoner rather than compromise on the offered price. Another buyer could always be found in such circumstances although it was inconvenient to transport a prisoner back to the prison when he expected to actually be freed.
When the final arrangements had been made, the warders set about making preparations while the Warden went about the less tedious business of watching the newest prisoners being put to work. Although the State provided generous funding to operate the vast prison complex, the Warden took pride in the fact that the operation was itself profitable and the State funds thus went straight into the pockets of the guards and administrators and, of course, the handful of Judges who supplied the human fodder for the prison. To maintain this situation, it was imperative that the newest prisoners quickly become productive and the first stage in this process would be for them to tend the extensive agricultural and grazing lands which occupied the vast space between the prison and the forest beyond. At night, the prisoners would earn their keep by the sale of their bodies to those who desired, and could afford, their charms.
Alex and his comrades were already in the main courtyard as the Warden appeared on the walkway which extended around the first level of cells but none of the prisoners took any notice of the Warden's arrival and none would have recognised him in any event. Each of the prisoners was nursing the injuries sustained the previous night. Some were still shaken from the shock of being _s_e_x_ually subjugated while others, like Alex, had come to accept the violation and were concentrating of the pain left by the assaults. Only one boy was missing from their ranks. In the showers that morning, Marco had been clearly unwell as a result of the bleeding which accompanied his terrible impalement and had been taken to the prison doctor for attention.
Before the small group of newcomers stood one of the warders who was instructing the prisoners on their new duties.
"You are going out into the fields today and will tend the crops," bellowed the warder. "If you need anything, you will raise your hand and ask for permission. If you fail to work hard and diligently you will be placed on report and caned at evening parade. If you fail to obey any instruction, you will be placed on report and caned at evening parade. You will work until midday when you will eat. You will then work throughout the afternoon until sundown when you will return to your cellblock, shower and dress in fresh clothes which will be provided. Nothing further will be required of you tonight."
This final observation brought a collective sigh of relief from the prisoners who were then marched out into the fields to pick fruit from the new crop. As they left the compound they noticed a prison van arrive but had no opportunity to gauge its cargo or its purpose.
The Warden watched the departing prisoners and then turned his attention to the van from which was disembarked a tall dark-haired, half naked youth in his early twenties. The Warden was mystified at an unscheduled arrival and quickly went to investigate.