Character Analysis
Jailbirds
While the inmates don't get a lot of screen time, their comments play over and over in Steve's head.
Take Sunset and Ernie, for example.
Sunset's a dude waiting for a verdict. When it comes back guilty, he hardly bats an eye. All he says is, "'Man, my life is right here,' he said. 'Right here in jail. I know I did the crime and I got to do the time. It ain't no big thing'" (13.10). Steve is definitely not having the same cool, calm, and collected thoughts, despite several strong arguments for his innocence.
Then there's good ol' Ernie. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, he robbed a jewelry store with a fake gun (i.e. hand in his pocket), then locked the employees in the back. He couldn't get out of the store without a buzzer, though, and had locked up the only people who could help him escape. Needless to say, he's fried when it comes to the case against him.
And yet he doesn't think he should be. He didn't even get out of the store, so technically he didn't steal anything… right?