Escapecraft

"It always makes me laugh: Andy Dufresne, who crawled through a river of shit and came out clean on the other side; Andy Dufresne, headed for the Pacific. Those of us who knew him best talk about him often. I swear, the stuff he pulled ... sometimes it makes me sad, though, Andy being gone. I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged, their feathers are just too bright. And when they fly away, the part of your heart that knows it was a sin to lock them up does rejoice, but still the place you live in is that much more drab and empty that they're gone."

"Dear fellas,
I can't believe how fast things move on the outside. I saw an automobile once when I was a kid, but now, they're everywhere. It's like the world went and got itself in a big damned hurry. The parole board got me set up in a half-way house called The Brewer, with a job bagging groceries at the food-way. It's hard work and I try to keep up, but my hands hurt most of the time; I don't think the store manager likes me very much.

"Sometimes, after work, I go to the park and feed the birds. I keep on thinking that Jake might just come by and say hello, but he never does. I hope that wherever he is now, he's doing okay and making new friends. I have trouble sleeping at night; I have bad dreams, like I'm falling. I wake up scared, and sometimes it takes me a while to remember where I am. Maybe I should buy me a gun and rob the food-way, so maybe they'll send me back home. I could shoot the manager while I was at it, sort of like a bonus. I guess I'm too old for that sort of nonsense anymore. I don't like it here, I'm tired of being afraid all the time ... I've decided not to stay.

"I doubt they'll kick up any fuss, not for an old crook like me.
P.S. Tell Heywood I'm sorry I put a knife to his throat.
No hard feelings,
Brooks."