Chapter 11 Chapter Eleven

"George, I don't think Tracy should be allowed to do this anymore." Warden Brannigan, who was reading a newspaper, looked up. "What's the matter? What happened?" "I can't tell. I think Tracy doesn't like Amy. Maybe she doesn't like kids at all." "She didn't treat Amy badly, did she? Hit her? Yelled at her?" "No……" "Then what happened?" "Yesterday Amy ran up to Tracy and Tracy pushed her away. I was a little disturbed because Amy liked her so much. To be honest, maybe I was a little bit jealous. Could it be that? "

Warden Brannigan smiled. "Possibly, Sue Eileen. I think Tracy Whitney is a good fit for the job. If you do find something wrong with her, let me know and I'll fix it." "Okay." The knot in Xiu Irene's heart was not completely untied.She took a strip of lace and embroidered it stitch by stitch.Let's save that for another day. "Why doesn't this work?" "I told you, girl. The guards search every car that passes through the gate." "But the car is loaded with a change of clothes-they won't shake out the clothes in the basket for inspection!"

"No need. The clothes-baskets are taken to the utility store, where a guard is watching people put them in." Tracy stood there thinking. "Ernie...can anyone distract the guards for five minutes?" "What's the use of that?..." She stopped in the middle of speaking, and a smile slowly appeared on her face. "If someone leads him away, you hide him in a big basket and cover it with dirty clothes!" She nodded and said, "This crazy idea seems to work." "Then will you help me?" Ernestine thought about it for a moment.She said softly, "Well, I'll help you. It's a last kick for Big Bertha."

The prison's underground intelligence network spread the word that Tracy Whitney was about to escape.The prison break event is related to every prisoner.The prisoners watched every move with concern, each wishing he had had the audacity to try his hand.However, there are guards, police dogs, and helicopters outside, and the bodies of the escapees are always brought back in the end. With Ernestine's help, the escape plan progressed very quickly.Ernestine had Tracy measured, Lola got enough material from the millinery for a dress, and Polita had a tailor in another section do it.Someone steals a pair of shoes from a prison storeroom and dyes them to match the new clothes.Another hat, gloves and bag miraculously appeared.

"Now it's time to get your ID," Ernestine said to Tracy. "You should have two credit cards and a driver's license." "How can I……" Ernestine smiled. "With the help of my old Ernie, you don't have to worry about it." The next night, Ernestine handed Tracy the credit cards of three major companies, signed by Jane Smith. "Now you still need a driver's license." After midnight, Tracy heard the cell door open.Someone sneaked in.Tracy sat up alertly. A voice whispered, "Whitney? Let's go." Tracy recognized a trusted female prisoner named Lillian. "Who are you looking for?" Tracy asked.

Ernestine's rough voice came from the darkness: "You are so fucking stupid, shut up and don't ask anything!" Lillian said softly, "Let's hurry up. If they find out, I'll die. Let's go." "Where are you going?" Tracy asked as she followed Lillian down a dark passage to a flight of stairs.They climbed to the landing, made sure there were no guards around, and hurried down another corridor to a room where Tracy had been fingerprinted and photographed.Lillian pushed open the door. "Come in," she said softly. Tracy followed her into the house, where the other prisoner was already waiting.

"Stand against the wall," she said in a tense voice. Tracy walked toward the wall, her heart pounding. "Look at the camera. Hey, can you relax a little on your face?" How funny, Tracy thought.I've never been so nervous in my life.The camera clicked. "Send the picture tomorrow morning," said the prisoner, "for your driver's license. Get out, quick!" Tracy and Lillian walked back the way they had come.On the way, I heard Li Lian say, "I heard that you are going to change cells." Tracy froze. "what?" "Don't you know? You're going to Big Bertha's cell."

Ernestine, Lola, and Polita were awake in bed waiting for Tracy when she returned to her cell. "How about it?" "very good." Don't you know yet?You're going to Big Bertha's cell. "The clothes should be ready on Saturday," Polita said. The day Ernestine was released from prison.That's my last hope, Tracy thought. Ernestine whispered, "Everything's going well. Saturday's two o'clock they get the laundry. You have to be at the utility store at one thirty. Don't worry about the guard, Lola'll be in the next room Hound him. Polita is waiting for you in the broom. She takes your farm clothes. ID in your handbag. The car that will take you will pass the prison gate at a quarter past two. .”

Tracy was breathless with excitement.Just talking about the escape made her excited and trembling.As long as people can be caught, it doesn't matter whether they are dead or alive... They think it's better to kill them... In a few days she will be out of the cage.She had few illusions: the odds of success were slim.They will eventually find her and bring her back.But she vowed that if she escaped, she would do that first. The prison underground knows all about Ernestine Littlechap and Big Bertha fighting each other to win Tracy.Now that Tracy will be transferred to Bertha's cell, no one has revealed Tracy's escape plan to Bertha: Bertha doesn't like bad news.She often does not distinguish between sources and disseminators, and often blames those who tipped her off because of bad news.Bertha did not hear the news until the morning of Tracy's planned escape, when it was revealed to her by the prisoner who had photographed Tracy.

Big Bertha listened sullenly and in silence, her figure seeming to swell even more. "When?" was all she asked. "Two o'clock this afternoon, Bertha. They're going to hide her in a change-basket in the utility store." Big Bertha pondered for a long time.She later hobbled up to a female guard and said, "I need to see Warden Brannigan right now." Tracy stayed up all night.She was nervous as if suffering from an illness.It's only been a few months in prison, but it feels like centuries.She lay on the bed with her eyes open in the dark, and scenes of the past floated before her eyes.

Mom, I'm like a prince in a fairy tale.No one will be as happy as I am. It appears that you and Charles intend to marry. How long are you going to spend on your honeymoon? You beat me up, bitch! ... Your mother committed suicide... I didn't really know you before... A wedding photo of Charles, smiling at his bride... What era is this from?What planet did it take place on? The morning bell rang through the corridor like a shock wave.Tracy sat up, wide awake.Ernestine looked at her. "How do you feel, girl?" "Fine." Tracy didn't tell the truth.Her mouth was parched and her heart was beating wildly. "Well, we're both leaving today." Tracy had difficulty swallowing. "yes." "Are you sure you can leave the warden's house at one-thirty?" "No problem, Amy always sleeps after lunch." Polita said, "Be sure to be on time. If you're late, you won't be able to leave." "I'll be there on time." Ernestine took a roll of bills from under the bed. "You need to bring some pocket money. It's only two hundred yuan, but it can be used in emergencies." "Ernie, I don't know how..." "Hey, don't say anything, girl. Take the money." Tracy forced herself to swallow a few mouthfuls of her breakfast.The veins in his head were pulsating non-stop, and he felt uncomfortable all over.I can't make it through today, she thought.No matter what you say, you have to get through today. There was an unnatural tension in the kitchen, and Tracy suddenly realized that it was all because of her.People exchanged glances and whispers, and she was the object of everyone's attention.A prison break case is about to happen, and she will play the leading role.In a few hours she would be free, or lose her life. She threw down the rest of the breakfast on the plate, stood up and walked towards Brannigan's villa.While Tracy was waiting for a guard to open the iron door to the passage, she was confronted by Big Bertha.The Swedish woman was grinning at her, baring her teeth. She's going to be surprised, Tracy thought. She is mine already, Big Bertha thought. The morning passed so slowly that Tracy felt like she was going crazy.Every minute seemed extraordinarily long.She read to Amy and didn't know what she was reading.She became aware that Mrs. Brannigan was watching her from the window. "Tracey, let's play hide and seek." Tracy was too restless to play games, but she was afraid of making Mrs. Brannigan suspicious.She forced a smile and said, "Okay, you hide first, and I'll look for it, okay?" They are playing in the yard in front of the house.Tracy could see the house in the distance where the utility store was. She has to be there on time at one thirty.She had to change into the civilian dress that had been made for her, and at one forty-five she was lying at the bottom of the coat-basket, covered with laundry and laundry.At two o'clock the laundromats would come and roll the baskets out onto the truck, and at two quarter past the truck would pass through the gates of the prison and on to a laundromat in the city. The truck driver was ahead and couldn't see what was inside the truck.When the truck comes to town and stops at a red light, I unhurriedly open the door, climb out, and board a bus wherever it goes. "See me?" Amy called.She was hidden behind the trunk of a magnolia tree, with half of her body exposed.She covered her mouth with her hand and smiled quietly. I'm going to miss her, Tracy thought.There are two people I'll miss when I leave here, the black "cow" with the shaved head, and the little girl.She wondered how Charles Stannob III would feel about her attachment. "I'm coming for you," Tracy said. Sue Eileen watched them play from inside.She felt that Tracy was a little weird. She kept looking at her watch all morning, as if she was waiting for someone, and her mind was not on Amy at all. I must speak to George when he comes back from lunch, Sue Eileen made up her mind.Make sure he replaces Whitney this time. Tracy and Amy played hopscotch and scratch in the yard for a while, then Tracy read to Amy.At last, thank God, it was twelve thirty and it was time for Amy to eat her lunch.Time for Tracy to act.She sent Amy into the villa. "I'm going, Mrs. Brannigan." "Let's go? Oh, didn't anyone tell you? Today we're hosting a tour group of dignitaries from all walks of life. They're going to have lunch at our house, so Amy won't take a nap today. Take her with you." Tracy stood there, almost crying. "No—no, Mrs. Brannigan." Sue Eileen Branigan scowled. "why not." Seeing her change of face, Tracy thought: I can't offend her.She'd call the warden, and I'd be sent back to my cell. Tracy laughed and said, "I mean... Amy didn't have lunch, she's going to be hungry." "I had the cook prepare a picnic for you two, and you can go for a walk on the grass and have a picnic. Amy loves picnics, doesn't she, boy?" "I like it." She looked earnestly at Tracy. "Let's go, Tracy, shall we?" no!oh ok.Be careful.You can still think of a way now. Arrived at the grocery store at 1:30.do not be late. Lacey looked at Mrs. Brannigan. "Wh-when will you send Amy back?" "Around three o'clock. The guests will leave by then." The truck also drove off.She was in a mess. "I……" "Are you unwell? You are pale." There is.You can pretend to be sick and go to the hospital.But they'll keep her there for a test, and there's no way she'll get out on time.This method will not work. Mrs. Brannigan stared at her. "I'm very good." There must be something wrong with her, Sue Eileen Brannigan thought.I've got to get George for someone else. Amy grinned. "Tracey, I'm going to get you the biggest sandwich. We've got to have a good time, huh?" Tracy didn't answer. The visiting group of dignitaries came here unexpectedly this time.Governor William Harper personally led the members of the Prison Reform Commission on a tour of women's prisons.Warden Brannigan must receive such a visit once a year. "George, it's routine in this place," the governor had explained to him. "Just cleaning up and making the girls laugh and we'll be able to boost our budget." That morning the chief warden ordered: "Clean up the drugs, the knives, and the paraphernalia." Governor Harper and his party will arrive at ten o'clock in the morning.They will first visit the inside of the prison, then visit the farm, and then go to the warden's house for dinner. Big Bertha couldn't wait.She asked to see the superintendent, and was answered: "The superintendent's schedule is full this morning, and he will be free tomorrow. He..." "Damn it tomorrow!" Bertha scolded. "I'm going to see him now. I have something important to do." Big Bertha was one of the few prisoners who dared to speak like that with impunity.Prison authorities are well aware that she wields considerable influence.They saw how she stirred up a mess and how she calmed it down.The managers of all the prisons in the world must cooperate with the leader of the prisoners, otherwise they will lose control of the situation.Bertha was one of the leaders of the prisoners. She waited for nearly an hour outside the warden's office, and her fat body squeezed out of the chair.She's ugly, thought the warden's secretary.It's creepy. "How long must I wait?" asked Bertha. "Soon. The superintendent has some people. He's very busy this morning." Bertha said: "He's busier when it happens," and she looked at her watch.Twelve forty-five.There is plenty of time. Good day.The sky is cloudless, and the gentle breeze blows the intoxicating fragrance of various flowers and plants to the green fields.Tracy spread out a tablecloth on a patch of grass by the artificial lake, and Amy munched happily on an egg salad sandwich.Tracy checked her watch.It's already one o'clock.She couldn't believe it, the morning moved forward minute by minute, but the afternoon passed so fast.She has to find a way quickly, or the last chance will slip away with time. Ten past one.Warden's reception room.The secretary put down the phone and said to the big Bertha, "I'm sorry, the warden said he doesn't have time to see you today. Let's make another appointment at..." Big Bertha stood up. "He must see me! I want..." "We arranged for you to see him tomorrow." Bertha was on the point of saying "tomorrow will be too late," but did not say it.This matter should not be known to anyone except the warden.There was no good end for the whistleblower, but she wouldn't let it go.She couldn't let Tracy Whitney slip from her grasp.Bertha went into the prison library and sat down at a long table at the end of the room.She scribbled a note hastily.Bertha dropped the note on the warder's table, and left the library, while the librarian stepped aside to fetch a book for one of the prisoners. When the guard came back, he found the note, unfolded it and read it twice: You'd better check the truck that transports dirty clothes today. Not signed.Liar?The female guard couldn't tell.She picked up the phone. "Pick up the chief of the guard..." Fifteen past one. "You haven't eaten anything," said Amy. "May I get you some sandwiches?" "No! Leave me alone." She did not want to speak to Amy so roughly. Amy stopped eating. "Are you angry with me, Tracy? Don't be angry, I really like you. I never get angry with you." She looked at Tracy with aggrieved eyes. "I'm not angry." She was burning with anxiety. "If you're not hungry, I'm not. Let's play ball, Tracy." Amy took a rubber ball from her pocket. Sixteen past one.It's time for her to go.It takes at least a quarter of an hour to get to the grocery store from here.It's too late to go now.But she couldn't leave Amy alone.Tracy looked around and saw a prisoner harvesting crops in the distance.Tracy immediately had an idea. "Tracey, don't you want to play ball?" Tracy stood up. "Okay, let's play in a different way. Let's see who can throw the ball farther. I'll throw it first, and you will throw it later." Tracy picked up the ball and threw it vigorously in the direction where the prisoners were working. "Oh, that's great!" said Amy admiringly. "It's thrown so far." "I'll get the ball," Tracy said. "You wait here." She started to run, and in order to escape for her life, she lived in the fields and ran around.It was eighteen past one.If they are late, they will wait for her for a while.Would they really wait, she quickened her pace.She heard Amy shouting something behind her, but she didn't pay attention.The prisoners walked in the other direction.Tracy called out to them, and they stopped.She rushed up to them, out of breath. "What's the matter?" asked one of the prisoners. "No-nothing." She gasped. "There's a little girl over there. Some of you can take care of me. I have something urgent, I..." She heard someone calling her name in the distance, so she turned her head.Amy stood on top of the concrete embankment.She waved her hands and called, "Tracey, look at me!" "No, come down!" Tracy yelled. Tracy watched in horror as Amy suddenly lost her balance and fell into the artificial lake. "My God!" Tracy's face lost all color.She has to make a choice, but there's only one way to go.I can't save her.Not now, someone will save her.I have to save myself.I have to get out, or I'll die here.It was twenty-eight past one. Tracy turned and ran with all her might.People were calling her behind her back, but she didn't hear her.She walked fast, didn't know if her shoes were lost, and didn't feel if her feet were cut.Her heart was beating wildly, her lungs were about to burst, but she still wanted to run, run.Tracy ran to the edge of the lake bank and jumped onto the top.Far below, she saw Amy struggling to come up in the dreadfully bottomless water.Without hesitation, Tracy jumped towards the place where Amy sank.It was only when she came into contact with the lake that she thought: Oh my God, I can't swim...