The Herbert Franklin Story

Welcome to CHC. (Criminal Help Community) My name is Herbert Franklin, but my friends call me Herb. I guess you could say I am handsome. I am six foot two inches tall and weigh 212 pounds. It�s all muscle. My wardrobe consists mainly of muscle shirts, jeans, and one formal tuxedo. I�m saving the tuxedo for my wedding as soon as I get released in five years. My fianc�e�s name is Zelda. I met her at CHC in the counceling sessions, but first I should explain how I got to CHC in the first place.
It all started when I was 12. My father was driving home from work in a bad storm. His Lotus Speeder was struck by lightning and crashed down to the ground killing five pedestrians and my father. Lotus speeders were new in 2025, and my father had just bought one. He was so eager to try it out that he took it right up to the airway instead of driving it on the road during a storm like we�re supposed to. At least that�s what we thought, otherwise, why would he have done something so foolish? I had loved my father with all my heart, and so when he died, I fell into a deep depression, which caused me to become over angry and even violent on occasion.
After my father died my mother had to work three jobs just to support her and me. She would come home exhausted every day. I knew I had to do something for her. I began at school, threatening to beat little kids up if they didn�t give me their lunch money. Very often I would get so angry that I would beat one up and get suspended for a few days. That didn�t bother me though because it felt nice to sneak a couple of dollars into my mother�s savings box every day. My mother would get mad at me for getting suspended, but I could never tell her the real reason behind it all.
After awhile, the small amount of dollars didn�t seem like enough anymore. I began to steal food from grocery stores and gas stations. It wasn�t just because I had to anymore though, but it became fun after awhile, sort of an escape from life. Ever since World War III, the business hours have changed from day to night since the ozone layer had been damaged so badly from all that radiation. That was a good thing for me because it became easier to get away with my crimes.
I loved shoplifting so much that I began doing it every day. It was kind of a high for me. I�d go to Cosmo Mart, steal a can of soup or beans or something, sneak my way out, hide in the shadows of night, and head for home. The streak of bullying and stealing lasted for eight years.
When I was 20, my mom grew very ill and could not work to support herself. I was not making enough money, or stealing enough, to support both her and myself. I felt I had to do something drastic because I loved my mother so much. I devised a plan to rob a bank. The next night I took a trip to my neighborhood bank and went into the bathroom to hide out. I stood on the toilet so as not to be detected. I waited until the bank closed at daybreak and ever so quietly slipped into the vault room.
When I got to the safe I carefully cut through it with my LaserCutter 2000 that I stole a while back and took just enough wads of $500 bills to fill my shopping bag. I went back to the bathroom to hide out until the bank opened.
That evening I easily slipped out of the bank, but before I got past the parking lot a police officer stopped me and asked me to hand over the bag. I knew I was in deep trouble. The policeman took one look in the bag and immediately took me down to the station.
A long court process followed where I pleaded guilty after I was promised that my mother would be taken care of. I was sentenced to 15 years in prison. My first year in prison was unpleasant, and I had lots of time to think. Then one day the jails became overcrowded, so they said that the current inmates had to finish the rest of their term at CHC, a community to help criminals by letting them be free in a controlled, enclosed environment.
I got my own apartment at CHC and a daily schedule to commit to. The place was well guarded so no crimes could be committed inside the complex. After I had settled in, I studied my schedule. Breakfast, free time, lunch, free time, dinner, counseling, bedtime. We had to stick to our schedule and carry it at all times or be sent back to prison. Our schedule was like our I.D.
I decided to use my first slot of free time to work out at the gym and my second slot of time to walk around CHC and socialize. It went on that way for years. My favorite part of the day was counseling. If I felt angry or sad all those feelings would melt away and I would feel calmer.
Zelda, the counselor. Yes, she was the other reason. When I saw her I fell head over heels in love. She was so beautiful and smart; the perfect woman for me. One day I talked myself into asking her out. Yes, I talk to myself, but I try not to let anyone know. Anyway, after the session I went up to her and asked her if she would like to go out for a walk with me during my free time tomorrow. She told me that I was different from all the other inmates and that she would love to go.
I told my friends about it and they congratulated me. We talked about it at dinner. They gave me some advice, and so when the time had come, I was ready. I wore my best muscle shirt and jeans. We met at the fountain in the center of town. We got to talking about how I got in prison, and I told her the whole sad story. Pretty soon it became routine for us to walk together during my second free time.
We grew closer each day and after five years I asked her to marry me. She said yes, but employees were not allowed to marry inmates so we had to wait until I became free, which brings me to now.
It�s 2043 now, nine years since I met Zelda, five more to go until I am finally free and get married. I can hardly wait. It makes me sad when I remember the way I used to be, but Zelda is a counselor, and she is there for me. I called my mother and told her everything. She is so proud of me.
CHC has changed my life, and I plan to work here after I am released. I feel that if I had lived 50 years ago, I would have had to serve my full term in prison, and I probably would have emerged the same as before, a criminal. CHC has provided me with a new philosophy on life. Live life one day at a time, and don�t get over emotional. It makes me happy to know I am a changed man, and I am enjoying every day as it comes.