ate the nose or the penis of a shitheels like you。 They'd do it just so someone they care for could get an extra three hours in the exercise yard each week。〃
Percy had stopped shaking his head。 Now he was only staring。 Tears stood in his eyes； but didn't fall。 I think they were tears of rage and frustration。 Or maybe I just hoped they were。
〃Okay … now look on the sunny side； Percy。 Your lips sting a little from having the tape pulled off them； I imagine； but otherwise there's nothing hurt but your pride 。。。 and nobody needs to know about that but the people in this room right now。 And we'll never tell； will we； boys？〃
They shook their heads。 〃Course not；〃 Brutal said。 〃Green Mile business stays on the Green Mile。 Always has。〃
〃You're going on to Briar Ridge and we're going to leave you alone until you go；〃 I said。 〃Do you want to leave it at that； Percy； or do you want to play hardball with us？〃
There was a long； long silence as he considered。
I could almost see the wheels turning in his head as he tried out and rejected possible counters。 And at last； I think a more basic truth must have overwhelmed the rest of his calculations： the tape was off his mouth； but he was still wearing the straitjacket and probably he had to piss like a racehorse。
〃All right；〃 he said。 〃We'll consider the matter closed。 Now get me out of this coat。 It feels like my shoulders are … 〃
Brutal stepped forward； shouldering me aside； and grabbed