Slabhenge Reformatory School

Introduction

• Jonathan Grisby is in handcuffs and seasick on a wildly rocking boat.
• He is trying not to throw up or let his teeth chatter.
• The boat is small and crashes into waves.
• He cannot brush his hair from his eyes because of the cuffs.
• It is becoming increasingly dark.

The Pilot

• The boat's pilot is grinning, missing teeth, and has a scraggly gray beard.
• Tobacco juice dribbles from his lip.
• The pilot slows the boat, his eyes twinkling with a mean hunger, and tells Jonathan it's okay to be scared.
• The pilot's smile shows more stained teeth.

The Other Man

• Jonathan looks out at the ocean and ignores the pilot.
• The pilot has a younger partner, Patrick, who is kinder and looks like a kid.
• Patrick tells Cyrus to leave Jonathan alone.
• The pilot warns Patrick and tells Jonathan that he is going to a dark place.
• Jonathan looks at Patrick, who seems to feel bad.

Slabhenge Reformatory School

• Cyrus says Jonathan is going to a dark place for dark youths, such as himself, as he is a troublemaker, delinquent, and criminal.
• Cyrus asks how old Jonathan is.
• Jonathan is handcuffed and feels lonely, so he admits he is going to prison.
• Cyrus says Slabhenge is for boys aged ten to fourteen and that Jonathan is in the middle.
• He taunts Jonathan about what dark crime he committed to be sent there.
• Patrick tells Cyrus to leave him alone and that there is no point in taunting him.

The Prison

• Cyrus says Slabhenge is a nuthouse full of delinquents and a cozy home.
• He says the rats will keep them company if they get homesick.
• Patrick apologetically agrees there will be plenty of rats.
• Jonathan sees the hulking, jagged building of gray stone surrounded by the sea.
• The walls are high, two or three stories, with towers on each corner.
• The towers are flat-topped and crowned with black iron railings.
• There are few windows, all barred, and the towers and walls look moss-covered.

Arrival

• Cyrus says escape is impossible due to currents and undertows.
• He says the sea has swallowed crazies who tried to escape.
• Cyrus says the sea is eating at Slabhenge.
• Cyrus says that the sea is eating the rocks around Slabhenge.
• Cyrus spits into the ocean.
• The place is falling apart.
• They pass a tombstone-shaped window.
• Jonathan thinks he sees a pale face.
• Cyrus steers the boat to a darkened doorway in the wall, the same tombstone shape as the window.
• There is a heavy metal gate and a huge wooden door.
• Stone stairs lead down into the water.

Entering Slabhenge

• Patrick leaps out and ties the boat to a rusty metal ring.
• Cyrus tells Jonathan to enjoy his stay while Patrick helps him out.
• Patrick tells Jonathan not to let Cyrus scare them, to stay quiet, and to stay on the Admiral's good side.
• Jonathan says he is not scared.
• Patrick raises his eyebrows at Jonathan, then nods to the prison.
• A giant wearing a dark blue uniform with silver buttons stands in the doorway.
• He is skinny, pale, with dark circles under his eyes, and has a deep voice.
• The giant asks if this is Jonathan Grisby.
• Patrick confirms and hands over papers.

The Door Slams

• Patrick nervously asks how Mr. Vander is.
• Vander unlocks the gate and lets Jonathan slip through.
• Patrick squeezes Jonathan's elbow.
• The gate clangs shut.
• Jonathan is pulled forward into darkness.
• The door begins closing behind him with a loud creak.
• Patrick begins to say goodbye.
• The door slams.
• A huge, hard hand closes on Jonathan's shoulder as the world turns black.