 While most of his fellow prisoners on death row spend their time hoping for a stay of execution, the occupant of Cell 227 waxes philosophical about the role of the prison system and the difference between a person murdering another and the State murdering someone. The professor says he s innocent and has told his lawyer not to pursue a stay of execution as he will only accept a full pardon. When the time of his execution arrives, he attacks a guard he s taken a dislike to, just as the Warden arrives with interesting news.