Monday. A most busy day with all our actors moving hurriedly as the execution date draws near. The opening act is a bit long, but could not be split even for a cliffhanger!
Seratus Lima Belas– Four Days 3.75 hours
Marina Bay Sands Singapore, Monday April 8, 2019 8:18 AM
Jeffrey Hodges rolled over in the incredibly plush bed in his hotel room and glanced at the clock through half-open eyes. 8:18!
OH MY GOD! He’d overslept. He was supposed to be at Changi in twelve minutes. There was no time for a shower or shave or even a quick coffee. He threw on his clothes from last night and bolted for the door. He found a taxi at the stand and pleaded for the driver to make it to Changi Prison as soon as possible. Checking his watch, it was already 8:27 when they pulled out into the Monday morning rush.
Cell, Death Row, Changi Prison, Monday 8:20 AM
Chief Imran and two guards entered Barbara’s cell just after breakfast.
“Come on, princess,” he said. “The Commandant has arranged a special show, and you are the honored guest.” They cuffed he wrists behind and drew the stinking hood over her head. Additional straps were used to force her forearms tight behind, thrusting her breasts out. A tug on her leash moved the naked woman from her cell and into a dark stumble down the hall.
US Embassy, Singapore, Monday 8:25 AM
Trixie got to the office a few minutes early this Monday. She felt like her feet were walking on air. She had the most wonderful boss in the world - kind, gentle, caring. Jeffrey had taken such a sweet interest in making her feel welcome and helping her fit into the job. Trixie would do anything for the man!
After checking for phone messages, she headed for the mailboxes to see if anything had come in over the weekend for Mr. Hodges.
Observation Room, Changi Prison, 8:28 AM
Barbara was led, still hooded, into a small room. The guards seated her in a chair. They drew her arms behind the backrest and pulled them firmly down until they could fix the cuffs to a hook on the back of the chair seat. They then strapped her knees to the front corners and her feet to the chair legs.
Imran removed her hood. As Barb gasped for breath after the fetid air of the hood, she saw she was in a bare room facing a large blank monitor and speakers.
“Don’t worry, princess,” the chief said. The guest is a little late, but the show will start at any minute.
US Embassy, Singapore, Monday 8:39 AM
Trixie opened the official-looking envelope marked “Jeffrey Hodges, Esq.” As she began to glance at the document, it took her breath away. She rushed to her desk and dialed Jeffrey’s cell number.
“The cell phone user you have dialed is not accepting calls right now. Please leave a message or try again later,” said the cheerful phone company recording.
He must have his phone off! Trixie thought. She left an urgent message and then sat and worried. This was terrible news!
Changi Prison, Singapore, Monday 8:40 AM
Hodges hurried out of the cab and toward the prison entrance. As he walked along, he turned off his phone. After coming late, he didn’t want to also insult the Commandant by being interrupted by a call.
He was admitted at once and followed a guard to the administrative offices.
Commandant’s Office, Changi Prison, Singapore, Monday 8:45 AM
Mamat rose and came around his desk to greet his visitor. He extended his hand in a hearty shake and brushed of Jeffrey’s apologies for lateness.
“It is perfectly alright, Mr. Hodges. I have just been catching up on some paperwork. Please. Have a seat.” The immaculately dressed Major was surprised by his visitor’s frazzled and unkempt appearance. Politely, he offered him a cup of coffee. Jeffrey eagerly accepted.
After two steaming cups of coffee were brought in and pleasantries exchanged, Mamat pressed a button under his desk that activated the hidden camera and the feed to the monitor in the observation room. He wanted Barbara to see and hear what was going on in the office.
Observation Room, Changi Prison, 8:48 AM
The monitor in front of Barbara sprang to life. She saw the Commandant’s office with Mamat sitting at his desk and in a chair in front of the desk, Jeffrey Hodges.
“Jeffrey, you’re here!” exclaimed Barbara with joy. It had been too long since she’s seen her lawyer. She hoped he was meeting with the Major to win better treatment for her, if not supporting her appeal.
The two men were sipping coffee and exchanging small talk. God, that coffee looked good! It had been so long since she’s had a good cup! Then Barb noticed Jeffrey’s surprisingly slovenly appearance. She recalled the old saying, ‘something the cat dragged in.’ What was wrong? The handsome lawyer was usually so elegantly casual.
Commandant’s Office, Changi Prison, Singapore, Monday 8:49 AM
Jeffrey paused from savoring the rich brew and raised the purpose of the meeting.
“On Saturday, I raised with you certain inappropriate and even illegal actions that have been inflicted on Miss Moore here at Changi. I have here a list of requests for her future improved treatment. Besides, I wish you to lend your support to her Presidential appeal for clemency.
Have you had a chance to review the charges?”
Observation Room, Changi Prison, 8:50 AM
You tell him, Jeffrey! Get me out of this stinking shithole!” Suddenly, Barb looked around to see if the guards took offense at her statement. But they just stood quietly, smiling.
Commandant’s Office, Changi Prison, Singapore, Monday 8:51 AM
“Yes, Mr. Hodges, I have. You do realize that they are a single anonymous source and uncorroborated?”
“I do. However, I think we can agree that a public release of the charges would be most embarrassing to the prison.”
“Perhaps. Though, unsupported, the charges will quickly be forgotten. However, speaking of public embarrassment, there is something that I would like you to see that is well documented and supported.” The Commandant indicated a large monitor on the sidewall, positioned so that Barbara could see it clearly on her monitor. Immediately a video with sound began to play.
Jeffrey glanced casually at the screen. In a moment, however, his eyes were riveted on the video. It began with a closeup of Charlotte on her knees, sucking a dick. The camera moved back and up to the man being ‘serviced.’ Jeffrey’s face, grimaced in passion, appeared in closeup. As he called the woman things like whore and slut and bitch, the camera focused on his hand, whipping the girl’s back and butt violently with a crop.
Jeffrey’s mouth dropped open, and his breath almost stopped when the video jumped to the next scene of him, whipping Charlotte’s now bloody breasts.
Observation Room, Changi Prison, 8:56 AM
Barbara also sat transfixed as she watched the professionally edited video, move from camera to camera, showing her lawyer’s extreme beating of a Charlotte and then brutally fucking her.
Commandant’s Office, Changi Prison, Singapore, Monday 8:58 AM
After about two minutes, the monitor went black, and the Commandant spoke.
“I wonder what the consequences would be, of a public release of the more extended version, it goes for twelve minutes, Mr. Hodges. How would your wife react to your little perverted dalliance with Charlotte? I understand she is having a difficult pregnancy already. I fear this might be a lot for her to take in her condition.
Oh. I also wonder what would your superiors at the Embassy think of their attorney engaging in such, shall we say, kinky action/ In my experience, diplomates tend to hate public embarrassment.”
When bin Osman ceased speaking, there was total silence in the office.
Observation Room, Changi Prison, 8:59 AM
In the observation room, by contrast, Barbara was yelling and cursing incoherently at the stupidity of her lawyer. Fortunately, the rooms were well-separated, and no sound came to the office.
Commandant’s Office, Changi Prison, Singapore, Monday 9:01 AM
When Jeffrey managed to speak, it was a pathetic stutter, “I…I…No…No…You can’t!”
“I can, Mr Hodges. But I would prefer not to – I have no desire to hurt you - but I can. Unless you destroy that list of charges and cause no more trouble for me and the prison, I will destroy your marriage and your career, and your total reputation.”
Observation Room, Changi Prison, 9:03 AM
“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” screamed Barbara at the monitor. “You idiot! Shit-brained idiot! No, cock-brained idiot! Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! Arrrrrggghhh!!! How could you be so stupid!!!”
Commandant’s Office, Changi Prison, Singapore, Monday 9:04 AM
Jeffrey babbled in a whine. “I…Oh shit! That tape can never be seen! My wife! My job!”
“And it doesn’t need to be seen, Jeffrey,” said Mamat in his most soft and soothing voice. Destroy all records of those charges.”
Jeffrey buried his face in his hands and wept for a full minute. When he stopped, he looked up, red-eyed at the Major. In a voice of defeat, he said, “I shall do as you say.”
Observation Room, Changi Prison, 9:05 AM
Barbara just stared unbelieving at the monitor. “No, no, no, no!” she screamed over and over, slowly fading to just a soft, defeated whisper.
Commandant’s Office, Changi Prison, Singapore, Monday 9:06 AM
“A most wise choice, Mr. Hodges. I am confident that we can put this unpleasant affair behind us.”
The Commandant rose and came around the desk to take Jeffrey’s hand. “A deal, we shake on it?”
Jeffrey reluctantly returned the handshake. “Yes, an agreement.”
“Fine. I have arranged for you to spend a few minutes with your client now,” Mamat gave a knowing wink toward the hidden camera and Barbara watching, as he placed his hand of Hodges’s back and gently ushered him to the door. “My assistant will take you to her now. I should see you next on Friday.”