A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A THIEF

       We got off the tram thinking we were on our way to the Melbourne China town but ended up in the Melbourne Gaol (jail) instead. We were marched into the holding room, made to call the man sergeant, stand erect, put our tongues up to the roof of our mouths for check, lift our feet for check, leave our belongings and marched into small cells, closed the thick, heavy steel door, turn off the lights and let us sit. We knew we were in trouble now.

We were booked and mug shots taken and sent out for a new day of trial. Now we were truly ready for Chinese food and what a meal it was, not our last but a meal as a free woman and man.

The Gaol was built in 1858 and was closed in 1924. The Police Watch house where we were incarcerated was still active long after. The good news is that they, long ago, abolished capital punishment. This was a reminder of how cruel humans can be and questions how much we have really advanced.