Steve has been put on cleaning detail in prison. He's been assigned this detail with four other guys who've been ordered to mop the corridors. Before carrying out this tedious, unpleasant chore, they all have to change into orange jumpsuits and line up for the guards.
Straight away, it's clear that Steve is not going to enjoy this experience. It might sound like an easy job, but mopping the corridors is anything but. For one thing, the mops given to Steve and the other inmates are quite heavy, which makes them difficult to use. It also gets quite hot, most probably because the water itself is very hot and soapy.
But what really gets to Steve is the strong smell of disinfectant. In fact, the smell is strong, so incredibly overpowering, that he feels as if he can't breathe all of a sudden. He tries to make it easier for himself by sucking in some air, but all he gets for his trouble is the foul odor of disinfectant, which makes him start gagging.
The response of the prison officer supervising Steve and the other guys is unsympathetic, to say the least. He tells Steve that if he vomits, he'll have more to clean up.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.