1984

           Thepositionsoftrustweregivenonlytothecommoncriminals,especiallythegangstersandthemurderers,whoformedasortofaristocracy. Allthedirtyjobsweredonebythepoliticals. 

           Therewasaconstantcome-and-goofprisonersofeverydescription: drug-peddlers,thieves,bandits,black-marketeers,drunks,prostitutes. Someofthedrunksweresoviolentthattheotherprisonershadtocombinetosuppressthem. Anenormouswreckofawoman,agedaboutsixty,withgreattumblingbreastsandthickcoilsofwhitehairwhichhadcomedowninherstruggles,wascarriedin,kickingandshouting,byfourguards,whohadholdofheroneateachcorner. Theywrenchedoffthebootswithwhichshehadbeentryingtokickthem,anddumpedherdownacrossWinston’slap,almostbreakinghisthigh-bones. Thewomanhoistedherselfuprightandfollowedthemoutwithayellof‘F——bastards!’ Then,noticingthatshewassittingonsomethinguneven,sheslidoffWinston’skneesontothebench. 

           ‘Begpardon,dearie,’shesaid. ‘Iwouldn’t’asatonyou,onlythebuggersputmethere. Theydono’owtotreatalady,dothey? ’Shepaused,pattedherbreast,andbelched. ‘Pardon,’shesaid,‘Iain’tmeself,quite.’ 

           Sheleantforwardandvomitedcopiouslyonthefloor. 

           ‘Thassbetter,’shesaid,leaningbackwithclosedeyes. ‘Neverkeepitdown,thasswhatIsay. Getitupwhileit’sfreshonyourstomach,like.’ 

           Sherevived,turnedtohaveanotherlookatWinstonandseemedimmediatelytotakeafancytohim. Sheputavastarmroundhisshoulderanddrewhimtowardsher,breathingbeerandvomitintohisface.