OVERNIGHT HOLD

Synopsis

The Pruitt County jail has two cells, a coffee maker and one deputy on nights. Lorna Baskett likes it that way. Most nights the worst thing that happens is a fender bender on the county road. Tonight an ice storm shuts the interstate, and a federal marshal with a fever drops off a prisoner until the roads open. He is a witness, the marshal says, and people would like him not to testify. Keep him in the back. At midnight the power goes, then the phones, then the radio. At twelve thirty there are headlights in the lot. The prisoner tells her he knows who they are, and how many.

Who this is about

Deputy Lorna Baskett works the overnight at the Pruitt County jail, two cells and a coffee maker, and in six years she has never had to hold anyone more dangerous than a drunk.

What goes wrong

An ice storm closes the interstate and a federal marshal leaves a witness in her custody until morning, and at midnight the power, the phones and the radio all fail together.

What's at stake

If she runs for help she leaves him to whoever is coming. If she stays, she is one deputy with a shotgun holding a building against people who planned for this.

Why it keeps going

Nine hours until daylight, the roads iced shut in both directions, the generator coughing, and a prisoner who knows exactly who is outside and wants to trade.

Takeaway

Duty is decided in the building you are standing in, with what is already in your hands.

Shelves

Themes

Story, in the creator's words

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Style

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Characters

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Tech stack

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Schedule

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Production plan

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