Summary

The first part of this section of the book is titled “12 Hours.” In second-person, present tense narration (that is, narration in which the central character is referred to as “you”), death row killer Ansel Packer begins what the text refers to as “the last day of [his] life” (1). As Packer goes through his morning routine – brushing his teeth, tidying his hair, dressing – he contemplates the recent visit from the hospital chaplain, in which he (Packer) felt pitied, and resentful of that pity.

Packer then gets ready to practice his hobby of painting, ignoring his hours-old breakfast and using techniques that he learned from other inmates. As he does so, he contemplates the execution awaiting him at the end of the day, and listens to classical music on the radio he has been allowed to keep with him. He also contemplates his relationship with...