During the months that followed, Billy had Darryl go over the plan with Cousin Frank repeatedly until he was confident that both men had it memorized.
Mel, the kitchen chief, was a friend to Billy. He’d taken him under his wing immediately upon joining the detail. Because of Mel, Billy always got plenty to eat and was only rarely assigned to P and P duty, convict-speak for pots-and-pans detail, considered the nastiest of all kitchen work. The slop sinks were deep, making it tough on the back, and the water was scalding. When Billy first broached the subject of trying to escape, Mel’s eyes sparkled with excitement. It had actually been Mel’s idea to mark Billy’s container.
“It should be something ironic,” Mel said. “A big F.U. to the bulls.”
Billy liked the idea initially but worried tha
