Summary

In the story “In the Deathroom,” Fletcher knew he was in a room used to torture people to death and did not think his chances of leaving alive were very good. He also knew that if he did leave alive, the four people in the room with him would have to die first. Fletcher was a newspaper reporter. Even though he was close to panic, Fletcher steeled himself by thinking of his sister swimming in a river.

The guard, Ramón, asked Escobar, the Chief Minister of Information, if Fletcher needed to be restrained with handcuffs. Escobar said that was not necessary. He indicated Fletcher was an “honored guest” (121). Escobar offered Fletcher a cigarette. Fletcher reached for the pack so they could see his fingers shaking, but did not take one. He had an image of himself buying a pack of cigarettes...