“They send you here for life and that’s exactly what they take.”
An emotional line from one of my favorite films, “The Shawshank Redemption.” Yeah, so maybe I should have something more original as my favorite, but I don’t. There’s something so good and so perfect about this film that it will teach me something new, and I will watch it to the end every time. Damn you TBS — many a night has met a late end thanks to your heavy airing (and consequent butchering) of this 1994 masterpiece.
The story of friendship developing in the most dire situation, hope overcoming all obstacles, life in prison; there’s a scene and a verse for every real-life problem. It has become my cinematic Bible. I find solace in every component, most of all, the script with lines so poignant such as the one listed above. This line, and others, coupled with the characters and themes of the film have led me to believe that “The Shawshank Redemption” is symbolic of my relationship and employment with The Badger Herald. In this, my last column, I attempt to pay tribute to my favorite film and, for the last two years, what has been my favorite place to work.
I think of myself clearly as Andy Dufresne — an innocent individual unjustly sentenced to doing time on the inside. Although not sent here for life, that’s what it took. For the last two years, The Herald has been a major part of my life, and for the better. Day in and day out I have diligently served out my time. Andy’s time in prison allowed him to develop a hobby — geology — that eventually became a means for his escape. I too have used my time within these walls to cultivate a hobby, a passion, which I hope will be my ticket out of here. Most of all, like Andy, I have met an array of characters who have helped me through.
Alex Conant, Katie Harbath, Liz Dega and the rest of the powers that be make up my wardens. Watching over my shoulder carefully, checking my page, making sure I report to deadline. Without them, I would know no discipline. My fellow inmates I have come to love within these cold walls — James, Scharf, Davy, Lars, Mary, Mel B, Manu, Heyman, Bakken, and the rest have made the time on the inside memorable, enjoyable and pass as quickly as it could. “These walls are kind of funny. First you hate ’em, then you get used to ’em. Enough time passes, gets so you depend on them.”
Two-thirds of the way through Andy’s sentence, Tommy Williams comes to Shawshank. Two-thirds of the way through my term, Kate MacDonald and Nick Marx came to the Herald. “Young punks. Cocky as hell. I liked them immediately.” I wish them the best of luck. As for Brooks, the old codger who eventually makes parole, Jay Senter and Adam Duerson have made me have faith in the world on the other side. “Some birds aren’t meant to be caged, their feathers are just too bright. I guess I just miss my friends.”
And finally, where would Andy be without Red? Colin Finan and Matthew Rodard — the Reds to my Andy. As men who could “locate things from time to time” my version surprisingly located the Arts desk under heaps of junk, founded one hell of an Arts magazine and kept me company throughout my long stretch. I wanted Rodbard to escape with me, but he’s smart enough to figure his own way out. Finan remains on the inside a little longer, awaiting true reform and parole. For him, there’s something buried under a rock near an Oak tree. We will all meet again in Mexico. “Remember, Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies.”
Like “Shawshank,” the Herald has taught me many things about life and myself. But it has come time to “get busy livin’.” I find I will miss these walls and the people in them. “I also find I’m so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it the excitement only a free person can feel, a free person at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain.” I don’t know what life will be like on the outside, but I hope it’s as humorous and fulfilling as this. ” I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friends again and shake their hands. I hope?”
