Records showed that Ralitsa helped Martin obtain a standard letter form, just as she had helped other prisoners.
There was nothing secret.
There were no conversations outside the rules.
There was no violation.
But there was something else.
One of the recordings showed Ivo talking to the two prisoners who started the rumor.
There was no sound.
But the time coincided.
The testimony of another prisoner also coincided.
Vladimir called Ivo to his office.
Ralitsa was
not inside.
That was important.
He didn’t want to turn the conversation into a personal victory.
Later, Vladimir told her only the main thing:
“He admitted that he had started the hearing.
“And what did you say?”
“That you’re too calm, and that drives him crazy.”
Ralitsa didn’t smile.
“That’s not the reason.
“No. But sometimes the person who provokes himself does not understand why he is doing it.
“That doesn’t excuse him.
“No. But it can help us prevent the next problem.
Ivo received a disciplinary sanction.
Not heavy, not humiliating.
But it is clear.
Restriction of privileges, transfer to another cell, and participation in a mandatory aggression management program.
When he heard the decision, he did not scream.
He just said:
“She wants to crush me.
Vladimir replied:
“No. It just doesn’t allow you to crush others.
The conversation
Months later, Ralitsa met Ivo in the corridor.
He
was alone, led to the psychologist’s office.
It looked different.
No less.
Not weaker.
But quietly.
He paused for a moment.
“Mrs. Doneva.
— Tashev.
“Do you think I’m a bad person?”
The question surprised her.
She could have said yes to him.
There were grounds.
He had insulted, provoked, spread lies, tried to humiliate her and other people.
But he didn’t say that.
“I think you made bad choices,” she said. “And I think you’re responsible for them.”
“That’s not the answer.”
“That’s the only honest answer I can give you.
He was looking at the floor.
“People have always seen me as the big guy. Like the dangerous one. If I’m not like that, I don’t know who I am.
