Summary

Sophia suggests to Malcolm that they rob the houses of some of her rich friends while they are away on winter vacation. Bringing Shorty along, they break into several houses, and from one Malcolm steals a watch. The watch is not working, so he takes it to a repair shop. It is January 1946. The owner of the repair shop, recognizing that the watch is stolen, calls the police, and Malcolm is arrested when he comes back to retrieve it.

In Chapter 25, Malcolm, Shorty, and Sophia are charged with the burglaries, and Sophia turns on her friends, claiming she was coerced into committing the crimes. Malcolm is sentenced to serve 8-10 years and is remanded to Charlestown Prison. In jail, Malcolm's angry outbursts earn him beatings from the guards and a visit to solitary confinement.

In Chapter 26, Malcolm meets a calm, older fellow prisoner...