Межзвёздный скиталец

           Inalittlewhiletheywilltrytobefoolme.Theywilltakemefromthiscelltothebath,accordingtotheprisoncustomoftheweeklybath.ButIshallnotbebroughtbacktothiscell.Ishallbedressedoutrightinfreshclothesandbetakentothedeath-cell.Theretheywillplacethedeath-watchonme.Nightorday,wakingorsleeping,Ishallbewatched.IshallnotbepermittedtoputmyheadundertheblanketsforfearImayanticipatetheStatebychokingmyself.

           Alwaysbrightlightwillblazeuponme.Andthen,whentheyhavewellweariedme,theywillleadmeoutonemorninginashirtwithoutacollaranddropmethroughthetrap.Oh,Iknow.Theropetheywilldoitwithiswell-stretched.FormanyamonthnowthehangmanofFolsomhasbeenstretchingitwithheavyweightssoastotakethespringoutofit.

           Yes,Ishalldropfar.Theyhavecunningtablesofcalculations,likeinteresttables,thatshowthedistanceofthedropinrelationtothevictim’sweight.Iamsoemaciatedthattheywillhavetodropmefarinordertobreakmyneck.Andthentheonlookerswilltaketheirhatsoff,andasIswingthedoctorswillpresstheirearstomychesttocountmyfadingheart-beats,andatlasttheywillsaythatIamdead.

           Itisgrotesque.Itistheridiculouseffronteryofmen-maggotswhothinktheycankillme.Icannotdie.Iamimmortal,astheyareimmortal;thedifferenceisthatIknowitandtheydonotknowit