Interview Day Two: "Chronic"! (EOD RP#2)

[The Convicted]

"The Walls Visiting Room"
Jefferson City Correctional Center
Tuesday, October 22, 2019.

The scene begins in the Missouri Department of Corrections to be exact in the visitation room. Eric Chronister sits at a table surrounded by armed C.O.'s as he waits for his interview with reporter Megan White to begin. Eric has been trying to get everything ready for The Convicted's upcoming match as his tag team partner waits to be released from his parole violation. "Homie" hasn't done anything major hell, he hasn't done anything for real just caught up in the system and got hit with a bullshit technicality. Eric seems a bit on edge sitting in the visiting room as the C.O.'s keep staring at him giving him degrading looks as if they are better than him. Several minutes go by as he waits finally Megan White walks into the room with her camera crew.

She quickly introduces herself as she sits down next to Eric, he shakes her hand as greets her. The camera crew set up their equipment while the guards begin to stand around a bit closer almost hoping to get in the video footage. The reporter looks through her notes as she begins to speak.

Reporter Megan White
Mr. Chronister, thank you for agreeing to meet with me today and for doing it here. As I know this place has to be uncomfortable for you as it was your home for so many years. Speaking of that I would like to speak to you about two things today your thoughts on your upcoming match against The Cure at the XHF Networks End of Days pay per view and your thoughts on how people, society see inmates and convicts.

Eric Chronister
Not a problem Megan, so where would you like me to start?

Reporter Megan White
Great, great let us start off with your thoughts on the outlook on convicts and inmates Mr. Chronister.

"Chronic" rubs his hand through his hair then scratches his goatee as he ponders where to begin his explanation or his thoughts on the topic.

Eric Chronister
Convict... or inmate? That is a question that has been asked by many, for many, many years. The one, you cannot attach one simple definition to, the other, you easily could, however, each is defined by their own essence. SO... I will attempt my sincere best to give a feasible definition- Nee description, to each.

First of all, the two are definitely not, in any way, synonymous. The first is a state of being- who you inherently are; the second is a being of the state- who you are told you should be. Let's take a look at the actual definitions in "The American Heritage Dictionary":

*Convict- A person serving a sentence of confinement.

*Inmate- A resident of a dwelling that houses a number of occupants, especially a person confined to an institution.

"Chronic" looks around as the guards are staring at him while he speaks almost as if they are trying to intimidate him, he shrugs it off and continues to speak.

Eric Chronister
Even in the definitions, you can easily see the differences. But... I'll begin by describing what, and who, an inmate is, because that is definitely, by far, the easiest...

An inmate is pretty much as I stated in paragraph two above, and that defined by "The American Heritage Dictionary" all rolled into one. An inmate is a being of the state, put into an institution with a bunch of other individuals, who have to be told each and every day what, and who they are expected to be, and how they are supposed to act- and yet, they still don't get it. An inmate is only out for one person, and one person only... THEMSELVES. Maybe that's why the very word "inmate" begins with the letter "I". An inmate does not confine himself to doing his time; he is constantly sticking his nose where it does not belong, and for some reason, feels compelled, or sees it as his right, to try to "manage" how others should do their time. However, an inmate is merely a nobody, lumped in with a bunch of other nobodies. That is what an inmate is. And, oh yeah... believe me, you can spot one the second they come through the door- and many times, you can even spot them long before they come through the door because you can hear them.

Now... the harder part. A convict has many layers. First of all, as I said, it's a state of being- who you inherently are. An inmate cannot learn to be a convict; a convict is defined by who they are inside. And like the definition stated in "The American Heritage Dictionary", a convict is a person serving time, but he is not defined by the time he is serving. And when a convict walks through these doors for the first time, he instinctively knows that he is there to do his own time, no one else's. While a true convict will always be aware of his surroundings- whether a given situation involves him or not- if a given situation does not directly involve him, a convict will not stick his nose in it; he will keep moving on, minding his own business- until such time it does directly involve him. A convict knows how, and when, to show respect, and he is given that same respect in turn. Now, he may be there to do his own time, but that is not to say that he is only out for himself. Quite the contrary-- if a fellow convict, or a friend, need help, a convict will willingly step forward and offer the help needed (if he can)- never having to worry about any strings attached at either end... because there are no such strings. A convict has honor and integrity and treats his fellow convicts with the same. And yes, you can see a convict too, but usually, they breeze on by, and you have to do a double-take to be sure they did, in fact, pass by- because you do not hear them. A convict does not need to make himself known-- they are known by the aura, and how they carry themselves.

The reporter looks at Eric almost intrigued not only by his insightful well thought out reply to her question but by his good looks as well.

Eric Chronister
So... as you see, a convict and an inmate are two separate people- inherently different in every conceivable way. As I said, an inmate cannot learn to become a convict, but sadly, a convict can reduce himself to an inmate- a sad fact that has been taking place far too often lately. A true convict is a dying breed, and the prisons are being all too quickly filled with inmates. Oh... now that is not to say convicts do not exist anymore. Oh yes, they definitely do. You still have a lot of good, sound, old-school convicts doing time, and yes, there are still some convicts trickling in- but not many. Sadly, a lot (not all) of the "new" convicts trickling in are giving up all too easily, and adapting themselves to the inmate ways.

Okay... there you have it. Keep in mind, while one is easily defined, a convict is not. While you may spot, and easily know, an inmate, knowing a convict is extremely difficult because it can be extremely difficult to get close enough to a convict to get to know him. To put it in another context; I once read a quote by a convict that went something like this-- "Some people put up walls not to keep others out, but to see who cares enough to tear them down." Well, a convict will put up his own walls, not to keep others out, but to see who is smart enough, not to tear them down, but to find the door, and simply walk in.

As he speaks into the eyes of reporter Megan White, almost forgetting the cameras and the C.O.'s are even there you can tell its straight from the heart, it's an honest and open answer to her question. One of the crew members walks over placing two icy cold Cokes in front of them to help with any dry mouths they may get.

Eric Chronister
Well, I hope I have somehow, however sincerely, helped someone. If you are still confused-which hopefully you are not- here is a small, simple test. Two incarcerated individuals come onto your life at the same time: Number One, Constantly brags and boasts loudly of all his past exploits (real and imagined), all the dope he's sold, all the money he's made, and all the women he's had in his life, and how he's always gotten the shaft, then asks you to send a money order....

Number Two Talks or writes to you about who he is inside, what his hobbies are. He talks about his family, and his friends; he asks about you, and what your likes and dislikes are and tries to get to know you while letting you know the real him- all keys to the building, and sharing a true friendship, a strong relationship...

So... which is the inmate, and which is the convict??? If you chose number one as the inmate, and number two as the convict, well... then you'll do alright. An inmate constantly concerns himself with what was (real and/or imagined). A convict concerns himself with today, and what's to come.

So... all you inmates out there, keep on squandering your time, and those of you who are due to go home anytime soon, well... we'll see you when you come back. You righteous convicts... reach high, for stars lie hidden in your souls; dream deep, for every dream precedes every goal.

As he finishes his answer to the first question the reporter smiles as she is loving the charisma and the honesty from "Chronic".

Reporter Megan White
Thank you for such an in-depth look into the differences between an inmate and a convict, your answer was more than I or anyone had expected to hear. So let us move on to our next topic "The Cure" and your thought going into your match.

Eric Chronister
The Cure, what is there to say? What you should be asking along with everyone else is who is the cure this week and what hired gun will "The Convicted" be facing? You see they change members more than most women change shoes, no offense Megan. But I have to say the guy who won the titles for The Cure didn't even have the confidence to face a pair of ex-cons, no instead he had his partner who isn't an original and a brand new sought after hired gun to do his dirty work so when they lose he can blame it on them and take no responsibility and if by chance they would defeat me and my homeboy "Homie" then he can continue to run around bragging about how he defeated us and he's still the tag team champions.

Reporter Megan White
Sounds as if you have a bit of anger towards them.

Eric looks around as he takes a drink of his coke, you can see the perspiration running down the side of the can as he lifts it up to his mouth. She continues to smile as the excitement of this interview has her in a fluster she almost can't wait to hear his next statement.

Eric Chronister
I know it may not be The Cure that myself and "Homie" challenged but, to be honest, I really don't care as it doesn't matter what flavor of the month is standing in that ring or whatever weekly Cure member they through at us. The Convicted have a reason for what we are doing, we are fighting with more conviction and heart than any member of The Cure ever could and we don't care because at the end of the night when all is said and done and End of Days is over we will be wearing those XHF Global tag team championships.

Reporter Megan White
Strong words, but most of all very confident words Mr. Chronister.

Eric Chronister
Thanks, but it's not about putting on a show or playing a character for the fans or for the bosses this match is about "LIFE" and I mean "REAL LIFE" mine and "Homies". We step into that ring it's all business and it's not going to be fun for The Cure it's going to be painful and extreme. Now I sincerely hope that answers your questions and I hope that the convicts that may see this understand what I am fighting for as well. One last thing I want to say this to The Cure...

Eric looks straight into the camera to his left as it's the closest.

Eric Chronister
Drago, Dreadvan, and Draven it doesn't matter what two of you enter that ring only The Convicted will be leaving it and we will be the NEW champions so run off and find a cure for that.

The reporter ends the interview doing her closing routine before the camera crew begins to take down the equipment and cleaning up as the C.O.'s escort her and the crew out of the prison one of the guards stops "Chronic" telling him "Good Luck" in his match...