The Strangers of Kindness Read Free Page B

I have a short list of things I am required to tell Mr. Dahl in your presence.”  
    He turned to Theo. “Under the Debt Adjustment Act of 2005 and by the authority of the District Court of Omaha, I hereby remove all rights of citizenship of the United States of America from your person until such time as you are able to repay the debt you owe in the amount of $126,015 in the form of unpaid rent on the agricultural land, home and outbuildings, back to the year 1975, and $129,881 owed to various agricultural implement, chemical and seed vendors listed herein.” The Judge was reading from a writ.
    “The transaction effected here today places your person under the ownership of Miss Jennifer Skoada until these debts are paid or she chooses to sell you to another party. Do you follow this so far?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “In effect, Mr. Dahl, legally you do not exist. You have no rights. Not to vote, not to legal representation, not to own property, not to live where you please, none. The U.S. Constitution no longer applies to you. From today onward Miss Skoada decides what you will do, when and where and how you will do it. You must be very sure you understand this, Mr. Dahl, for the penalty for behaving otherwise will be quite severe. I believe that last night in your cell the officer demonstrated the capabilities of the tethering device implanted in your neck?”
    Theo’s “Mm-hm” was barely audible. Jennifer stared at him in alarm. They’d already used that thing on him?
    “Your Honor,” she said, “This demonstration, you called it—had he done something wrong?”
    “No, Miss Skoada. It’s policy for the corrections officers to demonstrate it once to the prisoner, for the benefit of the person who will purchase him. That way, in most cases, further use of the device is unnecessary. Ah—here’s the officer now with your control unit. You see it’s quite convenient, you strap it on like a watch, or you can put it in a pocket. Until Mr. Dahl has completely proven his trustworthiness and docility I advise wearing it on your wrist. You have already told the officer the effective range you need on the unit?”
    “Yes, Your Honor. I own 40 acres, a perfect square, and 1867 feet is the diagonal length of it. I can be in the barn and have him working in the far corner field with no problem . . .”
    “That would be enough for him to roam around on neighboring property.”
    “I thought that was what the ‘Admonishments’ button was for,” she said. “He wouldn’t do it twice, and now that you’ve already given him a taste of it I don’t expect him to do it once.”
    “Very well. Mr. Slitter, are the papers in order?”
    Jennifer signed her portion of the papers and the judge stamped them, said “Good day to you,” nodding to Slitter and Jennifer and swept away to his chambers.
    Slitter and his attorney sauntered out. Fred sent Theo one last contemptuous sneer. Jennifer watched him, then turned to her new property.
    “Let’s get out of here,” she said, and she led him out of the courtroom and out of the building. Once on the sidewalk she let him catch up and walk alongside. Passers-by stared, until they saw the bandage on his neck and the paper booties, then they hurried past. In the shadows of the buildings the breeze was cold. Barely clothed, Theo’s skin was all gooseflesh.
    “We have to get you some clothes,” she told him.
    She left the truck running with the heater on while she went into the Wheeler’s store to buy his clothes. Theo just sat, numb. She came out with an oversized bag, stuffed and lumpy.  
    She gave it to him. You can get dressed in here,” she said, pulling out of the parking lot. “We’re up high enough, nobody can see.” She guided the truck through heavy traffic, making for the Interstate west.  
    Theo pulled underwear and socks out of the sack. He kicked off the jail booties and put on the socks, then peeled off the scrubs. Jennifer shot a glance over, saw he was naked,