If All Men Were Angels
by
John F. Clennan
John F. Clennan
All rights reserved by Denlinger's Publishers, including the right to reproduce this electronic book, or portions thereof, in any form, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental.
IF ALL MEN WERE ANGELS twists two contrary themes, the futility of life and hope, expectancy and anticipation into a synthesis which presents a view of weir (fate), without becoming overly philosophical or maudlin.
The main character, while one step ahead of 'The Grim Reaper,' maintain the view that somehow things will work out.
SETTING
The action takes place in Hunter's Point Correctional Facility. It is the fall of 1983. The economy is in a recession. Most of the inmates are charged with losing their jobs or their residences.
Society at large in cracking down on drug abuse and sale at the same time that a new wave of peasant immigrants from Latin America has found that technological change depleted the need for a large unskilled work force.
PLOT
Ben Bacone, a young lawyer sets up shop in recessionary times with Jack Nater, a burnt out attorney well past his prime who has "The Case" and "The Client." Scouting around for work, Ben falls into parole revocations to which the state under a federal court order, must supply counsel. Held in a converted factory building, these proceedings are presided over by Administrative Law Judge Tim Jayson, a shrewd politician and managed by Blondie Williams, a statuesque woman of mixed race who befriends Ben. The hearing room was improvised by an inmate, Jimmy the Lifer, in exchange for being allowed to remain at Hunter's Point.
Ben's first case is against Parole Officer Josseppi, a affable person who has mastered the secret arts of small group politics. Most of the inmates are Spanish immigrants who speak English to varying degrees. One of Ben's clients can't speak any English, but the Division of Parole refuses to provides an interpreter in a test of power. While debating whether to challenge the Division, Ben meets Bob Bonbonelli, a college friend whose resplendent office borders on an ostentatious display of opulence. Skeptical of Bonbonelli's interest in Parole, Ben introduces Bonbonelli to the work.
Quickly entrenching himself in the prison, Bonbonelli masters the process down to the lively rumor mill through "Jimmy" a lifer used as the facility's handyman. Shut out of work, Ben challenges the Parole Division for failing to provide the Spanish inmate with a translator.
After Bonbonelli drops the work for greener pastures, the great drug sweep of the early 80s overtakes the Parole Division and swamps the prison with work. The Spanish inmate is left on the sideline for the moment.
Although the sweep abates, PO Josseppi continues an abnormally high rate of revocations; his activities touch off a reprisal murder and ends in a riot. Blondie is seriously injured.
Under the guise of inviting Ben to an interview for Parole Judge, the division attempts to forge a connection between the attorneys and the riot. Ben correctly handles the interview, but another lawyer ends up indicted. in the midst of the crisis, almost as the Court orders the release of the Spanish inmate, Jack Nater loses 'The Case' and moves out. On his way to secure the release of the Spanish inmate, Ben discovers his office has been vacated. He is truly on his own.
Across the street from the prison, the inmate is rearrested for celebrating his release with a beer. Ben decides to leave parole work. Jimmy the lifer mails Ben a painting of a duck in flight.
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