Here's chapter 20 of the RR. -Simon. ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- Date: Tue, 3 Dec 1996 13:19:11 +0000 (GMT) From: Chris Catto To: Andrew Williamson , Simon Newman Subject: Chapter 20 Hi there Here it is - the one you've been waiting for (uh yeah whatever) Chapter 20 Cliffhanger "You want me to spy on them? That doesn't sound much like protection to me. More like a bloody death sentence." Cynthia smirked. "Only if they catch you. I'd think seriously about it. All I need you to do is give me some information now and again, and maybe plant a little information for me. In return for that I keep you alive." Lynn still looked unconvinced, but was clearly wavering. As Audrey had departed however, she had made one parting comment that had increased Myra's concern: "Watch the Leach Myra. From what I've seen she'll give Ferguson a run for her money. Don't cross her." "You know me better than that Joan. Let's put it this way. You either back me or I'll make sure it's the end of your career. Back me Joan and I'll see you alright. Oppose me......you know I'm not the forgiving kind." Cynthia's tone was as cold as ice. "One way or another I'm going to be Governor of Wentworth Joan. So, are you with me or not?" -------- 17:30 Cynthia was driving home after a most satisfying day at work. She thought about the conversation she had just had with Ferguson. Joan had been only too ready to accept Cynthia's bid for Governor - Joan knew what was good for her and what could happen if she didn't. The mere mention of Marie Winter's name had Joan frozen and agreeing with everything Cynthia had said. Cynthia wondered why. One other thing was certain - Wentworth was much more fertile ground for becoming governor than Blackmoor had been. Something else Cynthia needed at Wentworth however, was a Top Dog who she could control. At Blackmoor, she had Roo Morgan, and Cynthia controlled the women by getting them hooked on heroin. Why only a couple of days before she left, a new prisoner had arrived, Margaret Marsh, convicted of murder, she'd already gone through cold turkey, but boy did Cynthia and Morgan have fun, getting her hooked again. Wentworth was different - Myra Desmond was very anti-drugs. Cynthia needed to get a new top dog installed, one who she could control, and in turn would control the women the way Cynthia wanted. She thought through her choices - Bryant was too soft, Jenkins too stupid and Mitchell, she was too young. Kean was too... Cynthia couldn't think... perhaps that's what she should try. Splitting up the Kean/Desmond loyalty was definitley the way forward. Cynthia's thoughts were interrupted as she felt something bump into her car, and she drove over a rather heavy object. Looking in her mirror, she saw a cat lieing motionless in the road, and entrails splattered about. "Stupid animal," she grinned. Lynn McFadden sat in her cell reading a letter from her son and intermittently wiping a hand across her tear-stained face. She looked up as she felt a presence - Myra Desmond was standing in the doorway. "What do you want?" Lynn stammered. "McFadden isn't it?" Lynn nodded. "I'm Myra Desmond - top dog here. And I'm making it clear from the start that drug pushers like you aren't the sort of people I like to associate with..." "I had no choice..." Lynn interjected. "Spare me the excuses. Let me just say if I see any of that muck around here you'll be sorry, real sorry." Myra finished. "I've finished with that sort of thing," Lynn gulped, a little unconvincingly. Myra nodded "You'd better be." Tuesday 9.30am Cynthia was in her local store before her shift started. "20 Benson & Hedges" she said to the young girl behind the counter. Cynthia handed over a $10 bill and waited as the girl counted back her change and looked at it strangely. "You've given me change of $10" she said. "Yes..." said the girl, a little confused. "I handed over $20," Cynthia said adamantly. "Oh I think it was only a 10," the girl replied. "No, it was $20 you stupid girl!" The young assistant was visibly upset by this remark. "Here's your extra 10," she said pushing the note into Cynthia's hand. "That wasn't difficult, was it?" Cynthia grinned and walked away. "Bitch!" thought the girl and inwardly seethed. 10am Cynthia arrived at work in a good mood. As she went on her rounds in H Block, she actively sought out McFadden who was on cleaning duties. McFadden became visibly nervous as she saw Cynthia approaching. "Well what have you got for me?" Cynthia barked. What do you mean?" "I want information!" Cynthia screamed and gave Lynn a sharp push. "Well, I haven't had time.." Lynn began "Get me something on Bryant in one hour or I'll have you on so many trumped up charges you'll be in solitary for a week!" Cynthia kicked Lynn's bucket over."And clean up that mess!" And she marched down the corridor. Lynn stamped her foot, half in anger, half in fear, "Bitch!" 12.30pm As the bell rang signalling the end of morning work period Myra caught Judy on the way out of the laundry. "You're taking over," Myra said bluntly. Judy looked at Myra, "Taking over from what?" "You're gonna be the new top dog. I'm quitting." Judy was startled, "Why Myra?" "You'll find out... but the women need a strong leader, and you're my choice." Judy tried to argue a little but Myra was adamant. "I'll announce it after lunch." Judy smiled, "I still don't understand." "Like I said, I'm quitting and the women need a leader..." Myra didn't smile. "And one other thing - be careful of the Leach. I don't trust her, and don't let her catch you off guard.. ever." 3pm Joan was sitting alone in the staffroom as Cynthia entered on her afternoon break. "I suppose you've heard the latest," Joan asked. "If you mean Bryant taking over as top dog, then yes." Cynthia nodded. She had also despatched McFaden to trail Myra and see if she could find out why. "How long do you think it will last?" Joan asked. "Not long if I have anything to do with it," Cynthia said, sounding a bit uninterested by it all. "Here take a look at this - we could have some fun taunting Mason about it - if Judy doesn't pay a price." Cynthia tossed a bit of paper in front of Joan. It looked like a prisoners attempts at writing some lyrics. Joan read the title aloud "Pixie's Song..." 4.45pm Lynn was on a mission. She had considered making up a reason for Myra's resignation to tell Cynthia. But then she had noticed Myra and Reb Kean leave the rec room. Following them back to their cell, she hid just outside and listened in to snatches of conversation. "Why did you get Judy to become top dog?" Reb was asking. "I couldn't leave the women without a leader, especially with the Leach here, could I?" Myra said. "Leave them?" "Reb - you're killing yourself with your anger over your mother's death. And, well I can't stop thinking about my kids..." "And?" Reb prompted. "That's why I decided we had to escape. I have to see Kay and Alan's graves. And, well I know what you want... and I won't stand in your way..." Reb nodded. Revenge. On the bastard who had run over her mother. One word stuck in Lynn's mind. Escape! It was the only way she could get away from the evil Cynthia Leach. And in one moment Myra would be facing a choice - either bring Lynn along on the escape or let Cynthia hear every single detail. "He used to bring me roses" -- "Welcome to the tragic kingdom Cornfields of popcorn have yet to spring open" (http://www.tardis.ed.ac.uk/~cfc) -- Chris Hewitt - chris@chewy.demon.co.uk ** Chewy on IRC ** Team AMIGA The Chewy Pages - http://www.chewy.demon.co.uk/ `It must be worth losing If it is worth something' - Talula - Tori Amos ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Prisoner Cell Block H Mailing List. He used to give me roses....... pcbh@chewy.demon.co.uk http://www.chewy.demon.co.uk/pcbh/ Team AMIGA --------------------------------------------------------------------------------