Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: SLANG (05/14/20)
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TITLE: English As a Second Language | Previous Challenge Entry
By Tammy Ortung
05/20/20 -
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Maggie barely noticed the beautiful evergreens that marked the vast mountain ranges to her right or their stunning contrast to the white snowcaps along the horizon. She had been anxious about this trip for the past two weeks, ever since Sandy had practically coerced her into joining their prison ministry team.
“Come on, Maggie,” Sandy had pleaded. “We just need one more person. I think this is the perfect place for you to get involved in ministry. And duh, we can serve together, like totally.”
“But I’m no English guru and, quite frankly, it sounds terrifying.”
“There’s nothing to fear. It’s a medium security facility. Most inmates are incarcerated for drugs, not violent crimes … and only those with good behavior are allowed to attend our classes.”
“Okay,” Maggie finally said, instantly feeling nauseous. Fear gripped her like a vise squeezing her chest painfully.
“Tubular!” Sandy said, completely oblivious.
Maggie started when they pulled into the parking lot, surprised to see they’d already arrived. While they were on the authorized visitor list, they still had to stand in line to show their driver’s license to the guard and get checked in.
“Can I have everyone’s attention?” the guard asked. “Once you sign in, please place all your belongings into the lockers on the far wall. Be sure to empty all pockets; no cell phones or other personal items are allowed beyond the checkpoint. You will then walk through the security scanner and someone will escort you to the classroom. Any questions?”
Everyone seemed to know the drill, so Maggie just followed along. It started drizzling as they ambled to the first locked gate. Maggie heard a clicking sound, and the guard pushed open the metal door. Once the door closed behind them, she heard another loud clack and the next gate opened. They walked along a narrow sidewalk, into a one-story brick building, through two more security checkpoints inside, and finally arrived at a classroom where about twenty women sat waiting.
“Good Morning Ladies,” Jared, the leader of the group, said as they entered the room. “By the time you leave here today, you’ll be able to speak English better than when you arrived.”
“Ok Boomer,” one prisoner called out. Several ladies laughed.
“Lit,” another said excitedly.
They broke into groups and moved to round tables placed in each corner of the room.
“Yo lady, that outfit is snatched,” an overweight brunette said admiringly. Maggie looked at Sandy quizzically.
“Ah, thanks,” Maggie said.
Sandy had barely begun the lesson when two inmates started whispering and being disruptive.
“Excuse me ladies,” Sandy said, “Can we focus here, please?
“She’s just thirsty,” one of the other prisoners said derisively.
“YOLO,” Jenna, one of the guilty inmates, said. “Mary was spilling the tea. Besides, you’re salty ‘cause you haven’t had any mail lately.”
“Whatever! You’re just trying to flex.”
“And you’re just being racket,” Jenna said.
“Ouch, you’re savage … bye-bye Felicia.”
“Okay, ladies,” Sandy cajoled, trying to take control of the situation. “Let’s get back to the lesson.
Maggie was completely lost. She sat next to Sandy for the following hour feeling awkward and out of place. She was happy when the session ended and they were back in the van on their way home.
“What gives?” Maggie asked.
“Oh, that’s why we’re here in the first place,” Sandy said, understanding exactly what she was asking. “They’ve picked up so much slang, they can’t even speak properly anymore.
“It sounded like a foreign language,” Maggie said.
“Yea, it took a while for me too. The first inmate liked your outfit. Thirsty, meant that Jenna was trying to get attention and being rude. Then Jenna replied that she only lived once and she was just trying to get the latest gossip. She accused the other inmate of being bitter and rude. And then the inmate said she was the one with the careless attitude.”
“Why did she call her Felicia?” Maggie asked.
“That was her way of dismissing Jenna ‘cause she was getting tired of putting up with her.”
“Wow, I feel like a total wastoid right now.” Maggie said.
“Ah, take chill pill. You did great today!”
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