A woman visits her husband in prison. Before leaving, she tells a correction officer:
“You shouldn’t make my husband work like that. He’s exhausted!”

The officer laughs and says,
“Are you kidding? He just eats and sleeps and stays in his cell!”

The wife replies:
“He just told me he’s been digging a tunnel for months!”

Summarize:

A woman went to visit her husband in prison, as she regularly did, to check on him and provide him with a bit of emotional support. On this particular day, she noticed that her husband seemed more exhausted than usual. His eyes were droopy, his posture slouched, and he had dark circles under his eyes. He barely had the energy to speak, responding with slow nods and tired gestures. Concerned, she asked him what was wrong, but he only gave vague answers, mumbling something about being “overworked” and “needing rest.”

Her husband’s cryptic response left her puzzled. How could he be overworked? After all, wasn’t life in prison mostly confined to a cell, with the occasional yard time or a few minor chores? Still, she decided to bring up her concerns with the correction officer on duty before leaving.

Approaching the officer at the front desk, the woman said with genuine worry in her voice, “You really shouldn’t make my husband work so hard. He looks absolutely exhausted!”

Hearing this, the officer couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Shaking his head in disbelief, he replied, “Are you kidding me? Your husband doesn’t do anything all day except eat, sleep, and stay in his cell! He’s one of the least active prisoners we have.”

The officer’s response baffled the woman even further. How could her husband look so worn out if all he did was rest? Something didn’t add up. That’s when she remembered a strange comment her husband had made during their conversation. Curious, she decided to press for more details the next time they spoke.

During her next visit, the woman confronted her husband directly. “Why are you so tired all the time?” she asked. “The officer said you don’t do any work, but you’re acting like you’re running a marathon every day.”

Her husband hesitated for a moment, looking around to make sure no one was listening. Then, in a hushed tone, he leaned in and said, “I’ve been digging a tunnel for months. It’s exhausting work, but I’m almost done.”

The revelation left the woman speechless. Digging a tunnel? In prison? How was that even possible? Her husband, once a laid-back man with little interest in physical labor, was now secretly channeling his inner escape artist like a character out of a movie. The sheer absurdity of the situation made her want to laugh, but the seriousness in his eyes held her back.

As she processed what she had just heard, a mix of emotions washed over her—shock, amusement, and a little bit of pride at his ingenuity. Still, she couldn’t resist imagining the chaos that would ensue if the prison guards discovered his plan.

On her way out, she couldn’t help but recall her earlier conversation with the officer. His casual dismissal of her concerns now seemed hilariously ironic. He thought her husband was lounging around without a care in the world, while in reality, the man was meticulously working on his underground masterpiece. It was a stark reminder that appearances can be deceiving, even in the most unexpected places.

As she walked away from the prison, the woman debated whether to support her husband’s ambitious escape plan or try to talk him out of it. Either way, one thing was certain: her visits to the prison would never feel ordinary again.