The Green Mile Discussion #4

At this point, we start to see primarily plot development.  Delacroix is sent out to the exercise ground to show off Mr. Jingles to "important people" as the E Block staff runs through the motions with Old Toot-toot.  On the eve of the execution, Delacroix and the E Block staff get down to negotiate the fate of Mr. Jingles, where they let out another white lie to leave Delacroix at peace.  When the colored spool rolls out of his cell, Percy takes his long sought opportunity and fatally crushes his rodent nemesis, leaving Mr. Jingles barely breathing.  At this point, King reveals Percy's tender age of 21, which further adds to his character development.  Percy, like any other at his age, has this innate sense of invincibility, pride, and superiority.  John Coffey sees the opportunity and does what he did with Paul Edgecomb's infection.  In the switch room, Percy is again set in his place as Paul and Brutal scare him into transferring out of Cold Mountain, with some help from Old Sparky, who, out of his own silent influence, amplifies the fear in Percy.  Finally, the witnesses file into the shack, and that only means one thing for Delacroix: game over.