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George Pollock State KidIssue 47
An Offer to Die For 
“We have an offer for you,” Congressman Waters said.“I'm all ears,” said Billy, who had arrived in Director Carson's office accompanied byKali, Angel, Durk, Joy, Vera, Johnson Johnson, Billy Ruggieri, David Weatherall and four other inmates.“We have to talk, just the two of us. Where can we go?”“It concerns them, too,” Billy said.“I am authorized to talk only to you.”Billy hesitated.“Go, ” said Kali. “Just don't sell us out.”“That would be a bad, bad idea,” said Durk.“Big-time mistake,” said Angel. ”Big-time.”The unveiled distrust came as no great surprise to Billy. Suspicion hung over Granite Citylike a toxic cloud. Billy himself was beset by dark fears about Kali, Durk and Angel.They had turned on him before. They would do it again in a flash. It was the Granite Cityway.The phone rang and Billy answered. It was Nathan Silverman. “Hold on,” Billy said. He put his hand over the phone and whispered, “David, this is a guy from World Books.Make a deal for my book.”“I don't know anything about that.”“You only have to know one thing -- no matter what he says, it's all about money.” ThenBilly said into the phone, “Nathan, I'm going to let you talk to my agent.” He handed the phone to David Weatherall, who stared at it as if he had never seen a phone before.“How much?”Weatherall whispered.“I'm hot. Ask for the most you've ever heard of.”Billy and Congressman Waters headed for the door where Billy turned and said, “Andwhen he offers it, turn it down.”In no time at all, Billy had gone from begging Nathan Silverman to look at his samplechapters to telling him “Talk to my agent” -- and then instructing the agent to commitextortion.***In the interrogation room, Billy Stone and the Honorable Bruce Waters, teen prisoner andveteran United States Congressman, sat across from each other at the small table. Waters
 
said, “I wish I could say that you can just walk right out of here today, but unfortunately,there are ...”“... procedures, yes I know. Just give me the end-game. When do I get out of here?”“Certain things have to happen first, Billy. Just let me take you through them, okay?”“Okay.”“First, there has to be a hearing in Juvenile Court. Judge Salera has agreed to hold thehearing some time next week. At this hearing, she will review all the evidence and makea decision. She has the power to act in your best interests. Our discussions with JudgeSalera have led us to believe that she will rule that you have been wrongly incarceratedand will order you released into the custody of your mother, if you agree.”“My mother! I haven't seen or talked to my mother in five years! I thought she was dead.Where is she? Where did this brilliant idea come from?”“The Department of Social Services recently learned that your mother has been livingright here in the area. She's remarried and her husband is a successful contractor. TheDepartment of Social Services believes your mother and stepfather are qualified to look after you.”“Look after me? I don't need looking after any more. Where was she the past ten yearswhen I was out there alone bouncing back and forth like a ping pong ball?
McFardle
. DidRichard McFardle have anything to do with this?”“Many had input, Billy.”“My mother. I can't believe it. Do you know that I have four younger siblings, two sistersand two brothers all in different foster homes? If I were asked, and you notice that Iwasn't, out of two hundred and fifty million people in this country, she would be my
last 
choice for custody. Yet Judge Salera and Director McFardle think that, despite havingabandoned five children, she is suddenly going to turn into a mother. Well, Congressman,they got their heads up their ____.”“I'm sorry,” the Congressman said, taken aback by the outpouring. “I didn't know thesituation.”“I'm sorry, too. I guess I have to accept her for custody; I can't wait for someone else toget approved. What other goodies do you have for me?”“Well, you and your comrades have done some serious lawbreaking. You took over astate detention facility... seized weapons and hostages ... aided and abetted inmates toescape ... assaulted correction officers ... and the list goes on. Also, Director Carson hassome problems himself -- a killing ... inmate abuse ... escapes ... collusion. The problemhere, Billy, is that ...”“Somebody has to take the rap.”“The Attorney General must bring to justice anybody who has violated the law. In returnfor your truthful testimony, say concerning the actions of Director Carson, the gangleaders and others who pulled this off, District Attorney Conroy has agreed not to seek your transfer to an adult jurisdiction for any wrongdoing you may have committed. Inother words, he won't file charges against you. It's as simple as that. When you are
 
released, you can be secure knowing that nobody will be going after you.”“In writing?”“Plea bargain agreements are normally in writing only between the state and attorneys. Ihave never heard of a written agreement between the state and an individual acting on hisown. It has certainly never happened with a juvenile.”“Well, maybe it's time it did. If I agree to testify, how can I be sure he'll keep his word?”“DA's always honor such agreements, Billy. The state makes agreements with criminalelements routinely. If the District Attorney reneged on an agreement, his ability to gather evidence and prosecute would go down the toilet. He would never get another witness tocooperate. He'll make good on his offer to you.”“Anything else?”“No. That's it. It's a great deal for you, Billy. After the hearing, you walk out a completelyfree young man with your whole life ahead of you. Say the word and you're out of here asearly as next week.”“Thank you, Congressman, for presenting this offer. I think it is a good offer and I wouldlike to think about it until, say, tonight. I'm a little concerned that it is not in writing. Ialso have to get used to the idea of being a snitch. The inmates here may be primitives, but they have keen noses for betrayal. They may be sharpening their knives as we speak.”“We are talking about a one-time offer here, Billy.”“Now or never, in other words.”“It gets you out of here. If I were you, I would grab it with both hands. If you don't ...”“I rot behind bars.”“Deal, Billy. It's how the world works. You know that. This is a chance for you to walk out of here and never look back. It's what you want. It's what you deserve. It's the wholereason for this rebellion of yours. You've
won
. Freedom is in your own hands now. Allyou have to do is take it.”Billy smiled.“What's so amusing?”“I'm sorry, but you know, in the play
 A Man for All Seasons
, the King's High Prosecutor tells Thomas More the same thing, that his life is in his own hands. All he has to do is betray his God, his conscience and all that he stands for.”“At a time like this, you're thinking about a
 play
?”“I had a teacher once, a nun. Her name is Sister Francis Helen.
 A Man for All Seasons
was her favorite play. If she walked through that door now right now, I'd tell her that I'min the king's tower and that all I have to do to go free is cooperate. She would knowexactly what I meant.”“What is your answer, Billy?”“Tell Conroy I appreciate the offer and that I'll think about it. Also, please convey toJudge Salera my thanks for scheduling a hearing next week to review my case.”
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