took on a strange, drawn out sound, and his
screams when the Surgeon started to work, were like nothing Bullet had
ever heard. He marveled at the woman's speed. It seemed like she had
just begun, when she motioned for the man to be taken away. Bullet
noticed that an Attendant did some of the closing
work. The next two men never made a sound, just lay there.
56 While it was done, Bullet wondered if they had some skill in The
Training and were able to control the pain.
57 The fourth man did nothing but scream from the time he was brought
in until the time he was taken out. The fifth man muttered prayers, even while the Healer worked. Finally
it was over. The last man was wheeled into the recovery room, and the
witnesses walked through.
58 As Bullet and the Guard returned towards the block he couldn't help
commenting, "I didn't know they took it all," he said, "I always heard
tales they left a LITTLE something, but she took EVERYTHING ...hinge
and all!"
59 "That's what they've always done," explained the Guard, "just most
people don't know it. You look a little pale. Are you all right?"
60 "I'm fine," answered Bullet, "just takes a little getting used to."
61 "You never get used to it," argued the Guard. "I saw my first one
when I was a rookie and I've never forgotten it. I understand the JP, I
don't agree with them, but I understand them."
62 They had already passed through several check stations and were now
standing by a cell door. The Guard knocked. "Come in," said a voice
inside.
63 "We're required to knock," explained the Guard, "unless we're making
a surprise search. And we can only make a search if there's a suspicion
of contraband." Before she opened the door, she handed Bullet the
file. "This one's
been in this cell for three years. He's an