It is Friday afternoon in Paris, Arkansas. Normally, the courthouse is quieting down but instead it is abuzz with activity as tomorrow Angelica Smith will be executed, hanged by her neck in the courthouse’s yard. The gallows has been checked and staff has not left. There is a rare afternoon visit by Judge Lynch happening.
She sits behind her desk in her second-floor office. She casually smokes a cigarette as Angelica stands naked but the handcuffs locking her wrists behind her back.
Judge Lynch does not waste words. “Inspector Tree informs me you have some difficulties with your hanging tomorrow. You don’t like your apparel or should I say the lack there of.”
“I don’t understand why I have to be hanged in the nude” Angelica replies.
“I will answer that with a few questions. Did any of your victims asked to be shot?”
Angelica starts to answer “No, but…”
“Did you wan them before you killed them?”
“No, because…” Angelica starts.
“And are you going to clean whatever you wear after you are hanged? …I didn’t think so” the judge exclaims. “I see no problem with you hanging naked. In fact, I think it will make an excellent show!”
“But fear not, you won’t be wearing irons on your wrists. They will be tied behind your back. Guard, take her away” the judge orders. It was not a good meeting for Angelica.
She is returned to her cell. It has been completely cleaned out. Even the smokes ‘Spike’ Sharp had given her are gone. Bright lights glaringly fill the room. Judge Lynch is no fool. She knows the contract she signed with
Crux Chronicle requires Angelica to be alive when she is hanged or money does not change hands.
Angelica sulks in her cell. She asks if the lights are necessary. The guard on duty explains the judge insists that Angelica is ‘alive and healthy’ when she is brought to the gallows to be hanged.
Angelica huffs “You mean well enough to be killed!”
The guard has only recently earned his service at the jail and won’t take chances Angelica kills herself on his watch.
In truth, Angelica is somewhat tired having been in handcuffs much of the day and having meeting that hardly went as she could like. There was time spent with ‘Spike’ Sharp who made it clear that seeing her hang to death by a noose around her neck would be the best story he’s ever covered and probably will be as long as he’s a reporter.
Then there was Tree, the son of a bitch who arrested her and had her tried for multiple hits. He seemed anxious to see her naked body do its last dance as she hangs by her neck.
And Judge Lynch who not only found her guilty but condemned her to die. The judge didn’t say it to Angelica, but she assumed (correctly) money changed hands and that’s why she will be brought to the gallows and hanged naked.
As tired as Angelica is there is that nagging thought that by this time tomorrow, she will be quite dead. Sleep comes in short fitful naps that hardly rejuvenated her body.
At midnight the rookie guard is replaced by one of the more senior ones. He did not appreciate all the lights and turned them off except for the one high over Angelica’s head. Angelica thanked him and even squatted down to give him the last head she will perform before her date with the noose.
She wiped her mouth after she swallowed his load and asked “Are you going to be there when they hang me?”
He explains that he is not on duty then but adds “I’ll be there.”
Coldly he adds “I wouldn’t miss seeing your naked body dance from the noose…”