The big man opens my handbag. He puts its contents on the desk. There are the joints, covered in paper, perhaps a dozen of them. There are normal cigarettes, too.

"What is this, slut?", the man asks me.

I am frightened. I try to speak respectfully.

"Cigarettes, Sir."

"They will be examined. And this? What?"

He takes one of my joints. I can't see any sense of denial.

"It is a marijuana cigarette, Sir."

"So you are guilty. Take her arms, boys."

The two policemen take my handcuffed arms, forcing me on my knees. The big man steps up to me and gives me two enormous slaps in the face.

"Did you deserve it, whore?"

My tears are coming.

"Yes, Sir, i did."

He gives me two more. I start to sob.

"Hand her over to the guards, saying that she has to be placed in a private cell, remaining in handcuffs. I will visit her."

I am led away.