Chapter #2Ralph Johnston, Corrupt Prison Guard by: Unknown With large array of supervillains that infested the great city of Metropolis, it only stood to reason that there would be a facility built to accommodate them once they've been successfully apprehended. The Metropolis Correctional Facility (or the MCF as it was more commonly known), was designed with such a goal in mind. Fitted with the most advanced security system that money could buy, the institution was more than capable of housing and monitoring the many super powered beings that were brought their way. The primary investor of the institution, Jake Blackridge, hoped that it would also be a place for the criminally insane to be rehabilitated and make into productive members of society.
Unfortunate for him, this was not to be. Not long after creating the facility, a man by the name of Ian Johnston took the reigns, having been personally appointed by Blackridge himself. While he was a noble, selfless man of principals, he wasn't as attentive as he could've been. Incidents happened in an almost constant basis, ranging from breakouts to prison riots. Desperate to have order in his prison, Ian turned the reigns over to his eldest son Ralph, appointing him as head of security who promised to bring in some much needed discipline.
And he did just that. In less than two months the hungry young instituted changes that saw a dramatic decline in misconduct and a sharp increase in inmate compliance. Noteworthy troublemakers such as Havoc, Footgirl and Megabutt were forced into a state of begrudging obedience under his watch. It was these results that made him a hero among the citizens of Metropolis.
It wasn't hard to see why so many people thought highly of Ralph. He was a lithe man of diminutive stature, standing only 5'5, with a youthful face and light blue eyes. Initially, the public scoffed at the idea that someone so scrawny and meek looking could prove effective in keeping such dangerous criminals in check. That said, what the young man lacked in appearance he more than made up for in his intellect and wit. He was quick to charm his detractors with a lighthearted, self-deprecating humor, often poking fun at his height to the amusement of others.
On top of his affable nature, he was also seen as even handed and kindly to those who would take the time to see his handiwork. Three weeks into his hiring, he gave a tour of the facility with several news outlets hanging off his every word. They were blown away to see vile criminals such as Miss Manure and Amazon in their cells, engaging in recreational activities in such a way that one could be excused for believing that they were just normal everyday citizens.
The closest thing to an incident came when the mischievous Nasty Neko attempted to lure a journalist away from the group. Ralph was quick to spot this and sternly lectured Neko about prisoner conduct, threatening to take away his television privileges for a week should he get into any trouble. Truly, it was an amazing sight to see the bold and independent Neko slink back and meekly apologize before heading back to his cell. With results like that, how could they not help but hold the bright eyed security manager in high regard?
All that said, they had little idea of Ralph's true nature. All his life he had been looked down on for his small size. His classmates mocked and bullied him, his coworkers thought little of him and his father saw him as unfit to follow in his footsteps due to his physical shortcomings. With society pressing down on him constantly, he dedicated all his time into improving his mind rather than his body. He learned how to best people using nothing but his keen wit and intellect, and while he did eventually manage to earn the respect that had been denied to him for so long, by then it was too late.
While on the surface he seemed sociable and friendly, it was merely a mask that hid his true contempt for his fellow man. He had long since concluded that everyone around him, regardless of how much they insisted otherwise, was secretly mocking him for his size. This bred a fierce napoleon complex that would manifest whenever he was put in a position of authority. It brought him a great deal of joy and satisfaction to torment those unfortunate enough to work under him. His cruelty would often go unnoticed however, mostly in part to his unassuming appearance and the amiable persona he had perfected.
One would think that even he would hesitate to push his weight around in a facility filled with the most dangerous criminals in the city, but they'd be wrong. Each inmate was fitted with a strength dampening collar, as well as a deodorizing jumpsuit that would kill any potent stenches that they could potentially weaponize. Without their abilities, they were as vulnerable as the average human and thus, were subject to Ralph's cruel treatment.
'
Every morning would begin with a gushing torrent of freezing cold soap water shot out from a fire hose. After their "bath" the inmates were brought to the yard where they were forced to do backbreaking labor, from pulling giant stone slabs back and forth without rest, to digging holes only to fill them back up again. It was wise not to inquire as to the purpose of these activities, lest one wished to be hosed down for "undermining authority". After working in the yard, they were brought inside where they would eat the most heinous slop imaginable. Afterwards they would be sent back to their cells and allowed to waste time watching television or reading before the time came for them to go to bed. Anyone caught up and about would be subjected to another hosing.
For those with hyperactive libido's like Hippo Girl and Nasty Neko, imprisonment under Ralph's rule was nothing short of hellish. They were forced to wear a chastity belt that kept them from getting intimate with other inmates -- or themselves. To make it even more painful, their television screen were set to broadcast pornographic channels 24/7. The incident which helped cement the public's approval of Ralph, the one in which he "saved" a reporter from Nasty Neko was the result of his inhuman treatment. The tortured cat boy had approached the frightened reporter, pleading for him to relieve him. So desperate was Neko that he was entirely willing to be used like a cheap whore just so he could finally get some release.
His was a life that many inmates were forced to live under Ralph Johnston. There was a distinct pleasure he felt in using such high profile criminals as his playthings. The feeling of superiority he felt as they hung their heads low in an attempt to avoid eye contact with him was nothing short of intoxicating. Truly, this was a job that was made for someone like him; a job in which he could lord his power over those who had once lorded their power over others.
His dream job wouldn't last however, as karma has a habit of catching up with the wicked of heart, even when they're doing evil onto other evildoers. The pint sized terror sat in his office with mug of coffee in hand, humming to himself as his eyes scanned the security monitors in front of him. Things seemed to be running smoothly as the inmates sat quietly in their cells in anticipation of the buzzer that would signal the guards to come and escort them out to the yard. Their good behavior greatly displeased Ralph as he drummed his fingers along his desk irritably. As much as he enjoyed toying with them, he still maintained some meager level of professionalism in that he only acted out once they've done something to initiate it. Granted, he was quite fickle and pedantic in what he would punish them for, but it was the only principal he abode by.
"You'll slip up sooner or later, you little punks..." he muttered to himself as he stood up from his chair to ready himself for the day ahead.
Suddenly, it happened. Something that Ralph never once thought to prepare for. Just as he reached for the knob to exit his office, the lights began to flicker. He wasn't grant much time to process what was happening before the he was standing in near total darkness. In the months he had been working there he couldn't recall a single time when the power went out, though he wasn't the type to look into the details of his position that he found uninteresting, such as paperwork and maintenance.
As he tried to find his way in the dark, he heard heard his walkie talkie buzzing at his hip.
"Johnston! Are you there?! We have a really big problem right now!" A voice cried from the other end.
"I know, the lights are out. Just fix it and get back to work" Ralph stated coldly.
"I-It's not just the lights! The building is completely without power! The collars are have shorted out and the inmates are on the loose! I repeat, the inmates are on the loose!"
A nervous sweat trickled down Ralph's cheek and for the first time since he was in middle school, he felt helpless and uncertain. Taking in a deep breath, he collected himself and held the walkie talkie back up to his mouth.
"Alright, lets try to keep our heads on our shoulders. Where is the emergency generator?"
There was no response on the other end save for the light hum of static. Ralph growled and shook the device in his hand.
"I said, where is--"
"I heard you the first time" An unfamiliar voice spoke from the other end. "It really doesn't make a difference. I'll find you before you come anywhere near it, and then we're going to have a little talk about my present living conditions"
Ralph's eyes widened and his blood ran cold as he heard a sickening crunch on the other end before all he could hear on the other end was white noise. One thing was certain, whomever it was on the other end was obviously one of the inmates with a vendetta against him. Fear overwhelmed him as he tried to think of his next course of action.  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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