Turkey and noodles.

White bread, with no butter.

Mixed vegetables.

Cranberry sauce.

Apricot halves.

That was lunch today.

If you were at our state's Boy's Reform School.

How do I know?

Because the wife was.

The outfit she works for is upgrading their training software. And it is time for the team that has been guiding the development of that software to teach the bosses of the outfit how to use it.

So that they can teach their crews.

And the best computer lab in the state for their needs was at the Boy's Reform School.

So the wife, being a member of that team, spent the day far in the north end of the state, probably closer to Kim than us, teaching her boss and his fellow bosses.

They had their choice of lunch at the facility, or lunch in town, and a dozen or so opted to stay to eat.

It was an experience for some. More of a nostalgia tour for the wife, given her job history.

The youth line up for chow, but only one is allowed to pass the food counter at a time. And he stands at his place at a table until the table is full. Then they must ask permission to sit and eat.

Conversation is not allowed.

All youth stand at attention when an adult enters the room. And await permission to resume eating. They remain at their table until all are done, then request permission to leave. Plastic eating utensils are accounted for as each leaves the cafeteria.

All were in prison orange coveralls. And stocking feet, no shoes. When queried, the facility administrator admitted that, yes, shoes can become weapons.

But also, the lack of shoes tends to discourage escape attempts.

Especially in the winter.

I would guess.

Staff apparently follows the silence during meals protocol, although it is not required of them. But the guests visited and chatted at their table, throughout the lunch.

I have to imagine that was a special treat for those in that institution.

A glimpse of normalcy, of casual human interaction, in a horribly regimented world.

Of course, I imagine also that some enjoy, or need that regimentation, and considered the guests an unwelcome interruption of routine.

Either way, a view of a different world. For both groups.