5. The fringe of society

In 1969, I wasn't exactly selling drugs, but as an intellectual young student, I dabbled in it a bit. I wasn't in the business, but if someone wanted some, I would find it and sell it to them. This led to my arrest and being put in prison on remand for 10 days while the case was being processed. This experience was significant for me. It made me realize that I didn't want to be completely on the fringe of society. I needed to have one foot in both worlds, staying connected to society while still feeling on the edge of it.
During my time in prison, a cellmate, a thief who couldn't stop stealing, was very curious about life and kept asking me questions about the sun, the moon, and molecules. He knew I was intellectual and wanted to learn from me. Every night, I would talk to him about these topics.
One day, I got a call from a boy, who said you are commanded to a cell down the corridor, where the unofficial "kings" of the prison, two intimidating mafia-like figures, were. Everyone was terrified of them. When I arrived, I met two big bulldog-like men. Really scared, I sat down, and they asked me if I had told the thief that the sun is 93 million miles away from Earth? I confirmed it, and they made me repeat everything I had explained. It felt like I had created an unofficial school for the prisoners.
Eventually, I was found not guilty and got off the charge. This experience reinforced my decision to reintegrate into society. I realized I needed to pursue a PhD to help me fully re-enter society and find my place in the world.