"You don't have many options," Oliver said. "You already paid the registration fee for 12 months, and you know the company motto don’t you" he pointed at a huge tapestry on the wall behind the reception desk with the words ONCE YOU PAY YOU STAY emblazoned on it in fluorescent colours.
"But....but I thought the form said 12 days," I said
"Possibly it did" he retorted, "but, as it states in the small print there at the bottom, conditions are subject to change.."
"But that's not fair; I only went to the toilet. The form can’t have changed in that short a time."
"Whoever told you life was gonna be fair?" he snorted. "If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime."
"But I didn’t do it."
"That’s the trouble" he replied, "you didn’t do it. You didn’t sign the confession."
"But I’m not guilty."
"You’re guilty of not signing the confession."
"But that’s ridiculous!"
"Indeed it is! The law is, after all, an ass, but you voluntarily registered at this facility as ordered by the court, and when you pay, you stay" and with a wave of his well-manicured hand, he dismissed me into the charge of two burly individuals of indeterminate gender, identified by their name badges as Noreen and Doreen.
Just then, a rotund gentleman on two crutches came racing along the corridor looked at Doreen and threw her a nod.
"I think my wrist is broken." he announced "or maybe fractured, in any case, I can’t eat any more pies."
"You’ve got two arms haven’t you?" was her reply as she motioned for me to follow her.
What happened next I am not at liberty to disclose due to the NDA I signed upon my release 9 stone 13 pounds and 4 months ago, but what I can reveal is that had it not been for a filled in crossword, 2 pins and a roll of duct tape I might not be talking to you now.
Posted in response to @mariannewest's weekend freewrite challenge
The three prompts are in bold
The image is my own and has nothing whatsoever to do with the story.