"Now," the matron continued, "some rules, and don't think they're trivial. Because if you don't follow them you'll be returned to juvenile authorities and end up in the county detention center. And I'll guarantee you, that's a lot more unpleasant than here.
Number one, our bus is the first to leave from the school. You are to board it IMMEDIATELY at the conclusion of classes. You may no longer participate in any after school activities. After school you come directly back to the facility. Before supper you do your homework. After supper you may avail yourself of the facility's entertainment areas. You must sign up for the use of pool tables and video games. No obscene language is to be used on the premises and there will be no discussion of what is and isn't obscene.
If a matron or attendant tells you not to use certain words you will not use them. Continuing to do so will result in solitary confinement.
During free time you may have male guests in your room. Your door is to be kept open, and you are to stay within sight of the door.
You may not enter a female's room, nor may a female enter yours. You may socialize only in the public areas and that socializing will be moderate.
That's about all. There's a few other things. Read your rule book. Everything's in there.
Let's see.." the matron went to a board, took a card, wrote Samuel's name on it, and stuck it in a slot. "Green wing!" she announced, "Room 314. Floor matron?"
Another matron came over. "Escort this young man to his room," the desk matron ordered. See that he's oriented."
"Yes ma'am!" the matron snapped. "Come along!" she ordered. "Look down!" she snapped. "Green arrows on the floor will direct you from the lobby to your stairwell. The stairwell will take you up to your floor. If you're anywhere in the facility and can't figure out how to get back just find the brown arrows. They'll bring you back to the lobby. Pretty darn hard to get lost in here. So don't think of using it as an excuse, and don't think of sneaking a smoke ANYWHERE in the facility. There's concealed smoke detectors EVERYWHERE, plus monitoring cameras. Being caught with tobacco products is automatic expulsion."
They found Samuel's stairwell and went up. They reached his room and Samuel looked around. It had a private bath.
"Any problems," the matron continued, "there's a call button by the door and also one at the head of the bed. But they're only for emergencies. Anything else there's a matron patrolling the halls every few minutes. Well, good luck!"
"I don't suppose they've got any spare radios or anything," Samuel asked. "All that's in my bag is my portable alarm clock."
"We do keep a supply of loaners," the matron answered, "I'll see that one is dropped off. Be sure to read the rules concerning the use of it."
"Yes ma'am!" Samuel answered.
"Oh," the matron remarked, "after bed check secure your door. Secure it when you leave. Only the matrons have a key. The floor walker will let you in when you return. An unsecured door will mean the loss of privleges. They can be opened from the inside during free time."
Without another word she headed off. Samuel closed the door, sat down on his bed, and began to cry. It happened so quickly he didn't even think about it. All of a sudden tears were just rolling down his cheeks. He sat there for some time then a bell began to ring, and a pleasant female voice called "Dinnertime! Dinnertime!"
Samuel rushed to the bathroom, grabbed some tissue, wiped his face, and headed for the door. Other young men were also heading for the stairwell. One of them came over to him.
"Hi!" he greeted, "I'm Roberto!"
"Hi!" Samuel answered, giving his name.
"I heard we got something in common," Roberto remarked.
"What?" Samuel questioned.
"We don't like to give out names," Roberto answered.
"Oh!" Samuel sighed. "You, too, huh?
"Yeah," Roberto continued. "Never thought my old man would do it. My mother's on a rampage, but dad's got real religious and won't give an inch. Knowing my mom she'll keep working on it."
"I wish mine was!" Samuel sighed, "How I wish she was!"

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