It’s either the best of days or the worst. Depending on how you jail, you eagerly anticipate the arrival of store day or dread it. The day marks the deadline to settle all accounts.
Store day is a week long affair that comes every other week. Only two units get their store each day, so it takes the whole week until everyone gets theirs. You have to put in the list 10 days prior.
In the run up to store day, guys lock up; the microwaves remain open; and the chow line stretches out the door. More often than not, if we’re lucky, a fight will break out during the week (like today). It’s a welcome break from the monotony. If a guard catches it, he hits a button and the rest of them go running to the scene. Out on the yard, inmates erupt in cheers at the sight of COs rushing past in a near sprint, knowing a melee of some sort has broken out.
If you owe a lot out, store day is never fun, even if you got it covered. If you don’t, well…it’s not even safe. The prison economy is largely based on credit, but it’s a loser’s game. The spendthrifts and the dopers have a million and one excuses why they can’t pay their bills, giving rise to the term “story day.” Conversely, prisoners who’ve ripped many people off out in the world suddenly rediscover their morals and give lectures about principles because someone owes them two bucks (I’ve been both people in this equation).
Over the years, I’ve learned the best stores are the peaceful ones: owe no one and don’t let anyone owe me.
Easy Trouble 