“Am I free?” Langston asked.

The warden puffed on his cigar. “What is free?”

“Last I checked, it’s outside of these bars. You gonna let me step or what?”

The warden’s gaze on Langston did not waver. “You think stepping out into that world is going to free you?” He stepped closer, until Langston could smell the Padron on his breath. “Mate, you’ve been locked up since long before you came here,” he said, tapping his temple.