Not a desk job

So, here's a routine night as a worker on the shower crew:

Around 10:45, after the first unit roster count for the night, the shower crew boss of the night shows up at the dorm to pull the eight of us out. We share the same dorm, eating and doing most things together. Don't let me fool you, though; we only have just enough camaraderie to get the job done.

When we get outside the dorm and into the hallway, we split into teams of two. My usual partner is a guy from Killeen we call Tex. After getting our bucket of supplies - two scrub pads, state-made Comet, stainless steel shine, and a few towels - we set off to our pre-determined dorms of our choosing, kind of like the shotgun game. Whoever calls a dorm first, gets it.

Upon entering the dorm, we say our "wahzzup"'s and head to the the back to fill our buckets with hot water. Sometimes the water is a little too hot to mix, which gives us more time to talk with friends int the dorm.

After the water is mixed with the weak Comet, we get to scrubbing. Each dorm has four shower stalls made of stainless steel. We scrub every part that shines - or should shine - even the ceilings. Once the showers are scrubbed, we wipe them dry with a towel and follow up with the stainless steel cleaner on a rag. The stainless steel shine has a scent like diesel and is applied like Pine-Sol, wiped over every surface for a spotless shine.

It certainly is not the most glamorous job, cleaning the soap scum and man scum left from regular shower use and extracurriculars. Most nights we don't even get gloves. As long as we use those chemicals I'm not too concerned. I get clean when I get back to my dorm.

I just like moving around the unit and seeing guys I usually can't talk with. The extra cups of coffee aren't bad, either. There's even talk among the guards that we'll be getting an extra johnny sack after we finish each night.

Once we finish the dorms and have the showers inspected, the shower boss strip searches us and we return to our dorm. Each night we complete a whole wing of eight dorms - two for each duo and four showers apiece. Back at the dorm, I clean up then put together a meal with Tex and Ramirez. A prison pizza is a great cap to the night.