A computer correspondence from 1987 between Reveal, an incarcerated student, and Anna (the student names were changed for the publication), a track athlete, who attended Waterways after school computer lab at the High School for the Humanities took place under the observation of teachers and peers, and was published in a Waterways small press school publication, The Rose. The writing was for the most part spontaneous, though the reader can see the standard formulas Reveal relied on in his openings statements.
Dear Penpal: I hope when you receive this letter you are in the best of health. I am fine for the time being even though right now I am locked up in jail because of a big mistake that I made. Now I am correcting it to make sure that it never happens again.
Doing time is rough. You never know if someone is going to cut you or rush you at night when you are about to go to sleep. The food here is half-assed. Some days it’s (I won’t say as good as Mama’s, but...) O.K. (Smile) Some of the time, some of the corrections officers are O.K. They might bring you in a sandwich and a cigarette or two if you’re alright with them. Then you have your correction officers who hate the ground you walk on. They will do anything to get in your way. So your best bet is to stay out of their way.
When correction officers wake us up early in the morning it is about 5:00 am. It is still dark outside. Can you imagine about 80 people all waking up at the same time (tired and grouchy) in the same room or dormitory. You see these same people all the time day in and day out unless new people come in or you are transferred to a new dormitory.
Another thing is that the dorms are so overcrowded because there are only two adolescent dorms in the whole building besides protective custody and new admissions.
‘til next time,
Reveal
Dear Penpal: Or would you prefer if I called you ‘Reveal’? I believe that the last time I wrote to a penpal was when I attended junior high school. I love doing this because it’s so much fun. I don’t know anything about you--not even your real name. I don’t mind telling you a bit about myself. I’m a junior in high school and I’m a girl. I joined the Waterways Project to get community service. I’m in the cross country team in my school and we’re pretty good runners considering that we’re in the top three teams. Today is borough champs meet, but I couldn’t go because I hurt my hip badly just recently. I go to the High School for the Humanities. Have you heard about it? I don’t know what more I can add. There are so many things that I would like to know about you: why you’re in jail, how old you are (I’m 16)...but if you choose not to tell me, I’ll understand.
Have you had other penpals like me? I mean through this computer system. I haven’t heard much about Rikers Island. The only things that I have heard about it rank down on it. What is it like to live there? I myself never plan to! The Waterways Project is going to release a small magazine monthly which will have poems and short stories written by members of this ‘club’. I wrote a poem a year and a half ago which I decided to submit to the magazine. Perhaps you’ll get to read it. If not, I can print it up for you in the next letter that I write to you, or rather, type to you. It’s so much fun to use this thing! I mean it. Last night I was trying to type up a short story that I wrote on my electric typewriter and all the confusion that could have happened--happened to me. This is pretty easy. Anyway, Reveal...I’ll sign off now in hope of getting a response from you soon. Smile whenever you can. It doesn’t cost money.
Au revoir!
Anna
Dear Anna: I would prefer that you call me Reveal because that is the name that I use in New York. I have never written to a penpal. First of all, I’m 17 years old. The High School for the Humanities sounds familiar. The school that I went to is George Wingate High School in Brooklyn. I used to play baseball in Junior High School. The positions I played were third base and outfield for two years and I won three trophies on my date of graduation.
I am very sorry to hear about your hip and I hope you get well soon. The next time a race comes up I want you to write and tell me that you won with flying colors... So exercise and get in shape.
Let me describe myself to you. I am brown skinned with a light mustache and brown eyes. I enjoy taking girls out to have a good time and spending money on them. I will be coming home in a month and a half. If possible, maybe we can get together--if you don’t have a man or someone on the side. Do not think just because I am in jail that I am a cruel or stupid person. As a matter of fact I am one of the nicest persons you would want to meet: great sense of humor and everything like that. The reason that I am in jail is for a drug charge; not for using drugs, but selling drugs.
But you know that this is one of the worst places to live and I can say with a smile I will never return here alive. Where are you from? I don’t know how to ask this but are you Black, White, Red, Chinese, Hispanic or a mixture? But don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t really matter. But, I’m afraid now that I am going to have to end this letter for now.
So I won’t say ‘goodbye’ but I will say--until then.
Yours truly,
Reveal
Hi Reveal! It feels so strange to be writing to a ‘reveal’. I just finished reading your letter. My hip is not getting better. As a matter of fact, I just saw my doctor recently and he told me that I shouldn’t run for another three weeks at least. I’m glad that it’s not that serious. I mean I’ll be able to run afterwards. Some people aren’t so lucky. You asked me from what origin I am and I don’t mind the question at all. As a matter of fact, I’m glad that you’re curious. I’m white and Jewish. Do you have a religion? I’m not assuming anything about you, Reveal. It wouldn’t be fair of me to judge you from a letter.
I didn’t decide to join this club just for the community service credit. There are other things that I could have done. It sounded pretty interesting. Since you haven’t ever communicated like this, it’s probably interesting to you as well. Since you gave me a fair description of what you look like I suppose I should give you mine. I’m 5’8” with brown hair and green eyes. Oh! You said something funny: that I should win the race... Yes, I am in shape, but I run in the middle of the pack not in front or behind. As of now... my doctor won’t even let me lift any weights! Imagine that. I’ll just collapse after half a mile in 3 weeks... I’m serious! It’s so unfair.
Where will you be heading after you’re released? I know ‘home’, but if you don’t mind--where? Perhaps I’ll get a photo of myself and send it in two weeks.
As of now, I’m only interested in writing to you and learning more about you. I would like to be your ‘penpal’ in a literal sense. By the way--if and when you’re ready to give me your real name, I’ll give you mine. What are you plans for the summer? I might be going to France.
Anyway, time to sign off, don’t you agree? There’s no school next Wednesday so I’ll read your letter in two weeks from now. Until then Reveal... a bientot!
Anna
Dear Anna: I received your letter on Thursday, November 5. I found your letter very awakening and cheerful to read this morning. As for my real name, it is James Jones, but I am usually called Reveal in New York by my friends. You can use either one. You might be puzzled as to where a guy gets a name like Reveal. Actually the name belongs to my brother and he is Five Percenter. We both look alike somewhat and every time someone could call me, instead of calling my real name, they would call me Reveal so I just became Young Reveal.
I am sorry to hear about your hip. The best advice I can give you is to exercise and jog a lot and eat a lot of natural foods. Most of all stay in shape.
My religion is now Five Percent like my brother, but bear this in mind: I have a very open mind, and I hate no man, woman or child (any race or creed). So don’t think I will feel any hostility towards you because of your race or religion.
Tell me a little about your religion and your life style. Things you like to do. Things you don’t like. Hobbies and places you do and do not like to go.
You asked me where I will be heading upon my release. First of all let me tell you that my discharge date is December 18, 1987. In about two weeks I will be entering a prep class which will set me up with a school and a job if necessary or maybe even an apartment.
My outlook on life will be really different. I hope to achieve a lot when I go home. My plans for the summer are--when I’m not working--to go on a lot of trips and to go to the beach a lot, and do all types of things just because I was locked up for four long months. It might sound silly, but what can I say?
Oh! You also mentioned that you might send me a picture. I will be very happy to see you even tho it’s not in person. Then I will call home and tell my mother to send the most recent picture of me. Then we can read our letters and look at each other while we read the letters (Smile)!!!!
Reveal
Dear James: There was a misunderstanding. I thought that you were released over a week ago. That’s why I stopped writing to you. Today when I walked into this room, I planned to write to a new penpal. Then Rich told me that you were still on the Island. I sat down immediately to write to you. I think it’s great that you gained a lot of insight from being in jail. It’s too bad that it had to be the hard way. I really think it’s wonderful that the program will be setting you up in a new school and an apartment. That will help you get back on the track--if you know what I mean. I never told you this, but my cousin was involved with drugs two years ago. She got involved in the hippy scene. She was in many programs including DAYTOP. She also spent a lot of time away from home in group homes. Since then she has built her life up incredibly and I respect her so much for that. She went to Robert Fiance Beauty School for a year. Now she is a licensed hair dresser. She was a waitress for a while as well. So a lot of things are possible. I’m sure that you have an equal chance to get out there and prove to all the people who have no confidence in you that you are capable of succeeding! She does not touch drugs now and she believes that people can have fun without that garbage. Anyway James, it’s getting pretty late and I have to get home to study. When I write to you I can almost sense your presence. It’s strange. Oh! I almost forgot to tell you to keep smiling!
Anna
Dear Anna: I hope when you receive this letter that you are in the best of health. As for me I am doing fine. I am very happy to hear from you again. I’ve been asking about you for the past couple of weeks. I am sorry to say that as of next week I will be leaving soon. This will be the last time that we might hear from each other. But, I would like to further future communications if possible. I would like to very much, but if you do not wish to do it, it is all right by me.
I am very glad to hear about your cousin and about how she changed her ways for the better. I will take that into deep consideration for myself.
My mom is very happy that I am coming home. I was away too long for it to be funny. (smile) Maybe when I come home we can get together and have lunch or dinner and take in a movie or something if possible on a friendly basis only! We can get to know each other a little better and progress from there. I am about to end this and say goodbye and stay in shape.
Let me hurry up and get off this machine because I hate long goodbye’s. I might start crying (smile).
Dear Reveal: Did you know that our letters were printed in the magazine? I only found out when Rich handed the magazine to me. So what, if everyone knows about me? (right) There were some pictures taken today for the yearbook. I missed the art literary magazine photo, but I was included in the museum club photo and the yearbook staff photo. Last year I missed all three pictures for the cross country team, indoor and outdoor track. Pretty aggravating. I’m not going away for the Christmas break.
Instead, I’ll be working most of the time at Haagan Daz. I’ve been working there for two months. Last night was the first night of Chanuka. It is eight days long. Traditionally, a candle is added to the menorah each night until there are nine. It’s not as glamorous as Christmas but it’s fun. We exchange presents, too. I bought my mother a sweater yesterday. It’s light pink with a large lace collar. It felt so nice--I hope she likes it.
I would like to tell you what Fifth Avenue looks like now. It’s brightly lit with red and green and swarms of people are running around carrying bags from Lord & Taylor and other big department stores. There’s a round looking happy Santa Claus for every block ringing a green bell asking for small donations for the Volunteers of New York City. Lord & Taylor has a special Christmas window display which I happen to look at because I was in the area. The line was long and full of people bundled in their coats waiting impatiently to see the plastic electric dolls dressed in silk and fur. The dolls move. It was really cute.
James, I don’t think it’s possible for me to see you. But I have saved all our letters and I’ll never throw them away. I love saving photographs of old friends, relatives, and even ex-boyfriends. I’m like that. So I will always remember you. Take care of yourself--you deserve it. Good luck in whatever you do.
Sincerely,
Anna
Dear Anna: I hope when you receive this letter it finds you in the best of health mentally as well as physically. Well, today is my last day here and I just had to write you just this last time to tell you a couple of things on my mind such as how I will be living when I go home--very, very differently. No more selling drugs. I’m not saying I’m not going to miss it because the money was good until I got caught. And now I’m about to change my ways for the better. It is very sad that it takes for me and other persons to come here to finally realize that it is time to change. It really sounds silly, right?
James
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