Dr. Keckler lead our group with pride in his steps. He explained each of the buildings to me from our starting location, all the way to the Counselors office. He explained how the sunlight even enough was artificial still provided the children and staff members with the Vitamin D they needed. It had something to do with the way the light worked or something like that. He went on to say that the grass was made from a special material that was safe to the touch, could absorb extremely mild impacts and to top it off it wasn't poisonous. It was only caused diarrhea and minor "stomachy aches".
The school was constructed and operated like a normal school. The classrooms were divided into age groups, with 7:15 am being the start time, 11-1 pm being the lunch/break time, and finally 3:30 pm being the end of classes. The PlayHouse which was basically just a giant funhouse. The Toy Store where children could buy their own toys for themselves. Children were given money based on the amount of chores they did, and also how well they performed in the Play area. It was according from Dr. Keckler himself that the reason behind the idea was to get children to start preparing for their future and teaching them how money and the economy worked. The Duck Pond, which was a small water area, had an automatic cleaning system.
Finally after the tour that took in my opinion way longer than it needed to be, and with a guide that I wanted to hit we made it to the counselor's office building. The tour probably wouldn't have been so bad if it wasn't for the fact that I was restrained to a wheelchair and pushed like a fucking criminal.
The kids look at me with curiosity in the their eyes while other kids looked at me with what I could only describe as a look of caution. It was mostly the older kids that looked at me with caution, which I couldn't really blame them for. Hell, I would have done the same thing in their shoes. Some new kid comes in my "house" with restraints on, being pushed in a wheelchair like a batshit criminal. Yeah, you would need to be an idiot to not have at least some level of caution.
Inside the Counselor`s building seemed like a standard office building. There were waiting rooms, small furniture and other simple things that made it feel like you were in a normal office building. If I had been sedated until before coming into this room, I wouldn't have been able to tell that I was at PlayCare. That was goal it seemed of Ludwig, to give the feeling of a 'perfect' home for the kids. Poor, guy probably rolling around in his grave if he knew the crap that was going on in his factory.
I couldn't imagine giving my life for something, and then greed causing the people I trusted to turn it into everything I hate. Dr. Keckler introduced his co-workers and colleagues to me. It was annoying amount of 'Hi's and 'We are here for you' and some comments like it. I was an introvert by nature. Talking to people, especially when it was with people I couldn't stand to be in the same room with drained me of my social energy battery. It felt like being forced to go to a social event, and having to talk to everyone there ONLY because either your date or your friends decided to talk with everyone with you being pulled along.
After meeting the counselors and therapist, we made our way into Keckler`s office. The office had two chairs facing a L-shaped desk, with a bookshelf to the left side closet to the back wall. There was a bathroom, as well on the left side of the wall where the bookshelf was. Poster of the PlayTime Co. mascots with motivational sayings that hung on the very back wall where an outside window would normally be located at in this type of office. The poster had sayings like 'A hug a day' and 'Being sad is okay' and other crap like that.
Keckler walked to his spot which was behind the L-shaped desk in one of those nice chairs that upper management would sit at. The ones were you knew that chair had to have cost at least 5k easy, but no one said anything about it. The desk had some organized paper folders and files on it with a 90s block computer, which I guess would be high-tech in this day and age.
Dr.Goodman took the left empty chair and Conner pushed me into the middle between the two chairs. Once he did that Dr.Keckler did a waving motion with his hands signaling Conner to leave the room.
It was silent in the room for about 6 seconds before I said.
"So…can a nigga get free?"
It was the only thing I could think of to say. I hadn't really spoken much since Keckler gave 'us' more specifically me the tour of the place. The only things I did say during that time period were "okay" "Cool" and "Got it"
Paul and Keckler looked at each other for a split second before Paul said
"Max do you know why you are in that chair?"
"Yes, because I hurt people like I told you I would. I did warn you."
"Max look-" Paul wanted to continue but Keckler raised his hands to stop him. Keckler had a more serious look on his face as he turned to face me.
"Max" he said while interlocking his hands, and putting his elbows on the desk. Kind of like an anime villain I thought to myself.
"From the report that was filed, you injured two staff members, and bit another. To be honest with you I didn't want you to come here. And, before you say anything let me explain. Playcare was designed for the betterment of the unfortune kids who have either lost family much like yourself or have never had a place to call their own home. This place was built to give that feeling of being a family and being in a home to children who really need it. With that said your behavior wasn't what we envisioned in this place our home, and I have stated these concerns to not only the people in charge of your case but also Dr.Goodman here. However, there are no foster homes available currently, and Dr. Goodman is a kind of mentor of mine. He was the one that got me into the career field I am in now. Goodman here has told me that you are a good child and that this behavior isn't like you at all. So these are your options. Option one being that we place you under observation where our staff members will watch over you so that you don't cause any harm or injury to not only staff but also the other kids OR option two you can start taking the medications that Goodman has recommended to you multiple times during your session with him."
So, I would either have be constantly placed on watch or take meds. I ran the simulation and information I had available in my head. Being placed on observation would suck, it might even give them an excuse to make me into an experiment. Not only that but I wanted to have some freedom to move around. Find hiding spots, weak points and other such things. However, if my memory serves me right, from what I remember a psychiatrist I had worked under before had told me once medication during the 90s had serious side effects. Or did he say in the 80s I couldn't quite remember. It was a 50/50 shot on the medication, and I wasn't really a betting man. The problem was my other option wasn't that good either. Freedom with chains or just chains.
It was probably better to take the medication. Those types of medication I knew for a fact took some time before they took effect anyway. Not only thing but on the off chance that an actual family comes and tries to adopt me it was better to say that I was on medication, then for it to say that I had officially on record been placed in observation due to fear of the possibility of me harming someone.
"medication" I answered
"Thank you" Keckler said, before picking up the phone dialing a phone number and asking for his assistant to bring the medication that was recommended on my discharge paperwork. Once he was done he turned back to me and said.
"Max is there anything you want to talk about. I know that I am a new face, and new things can be scary but you said during the…incident that you 'didn't want to die' is there something about leaving the hospital or coming here that might make you think or feel that way?"
I stayed silent to that question, I simply looked around the room. Noting all the pictures, books, postures, and everything else. Getting a feel for this man, trying to figure out what I could use either against him or make him question this place so that he could get help. A disturbing thought flashed briefly through my mind, it whispered 'he is going to die anyway, why not make his death mean something right? Better he dies than you right?' I waved off the thought. I wasn't that type of person, I wouldn't risk a man just on the chance he worked for the darker part of this Company. It wouldn't be fair to him or anyone else if I just decided that they were all guilty by being an employee. I noticed a picture of what appeared to be his wife and three small girls. It was a nice picture of a simple upper class family photo. This wasn't a war, I needed to stop thinking like that. Enemies are enemies but I wont kill unless it is a confirmed enemy.
Keckler most have realized that I wouldn't be talking after waiting as long as he did for a response from me. I worked with enough mental health providers to know that silence was a way to get the other party, you or myself in this case to talk. It was a basic psychology trick, our brains didn't like silence nor did it like empty spaces. So, as humans we would either fill that empty space with something that we would assume is already there or we would interrupt the silence with something. It was a basic fact you learn when working with a psychologist and with a sniper unit.
"Again, I understand how you feel. New place, new things are scary and I can only imagine the fear that you probably hear from the media. Saying those terrible things about our company`s founder. But, like you saw when I showed you the tour that this place is safe, you are safe Max, You wont 'die' here nor will anything bad happen to you. I promise you that alright"
A knock was hear at the door when Keckler finished his sentence. A voice called from behind the door saying
"Dr.Keckler, I got the medication you requested from pharmacy"
"Come in"
Keckler got up from his chair and made his way towards the door. He took the medication from the man`s hand and made his way back to his chair. He placed the medication on the table, and I could tell by looking at it that it was a liquid form of medication. The bottle was blackish reddish in color, with a white cap and on the side separate from it had a plastic syringe. Medication wasn't going to be injected that was for sure, so oral medication it was. Good, I didn't want to have to deal with, who know how many shots of this medication.
"Alright Max this the medication that Goodman probably talked to you about. It will help with the fear that had you had. It doesn't taste too good though and may cause you to have some headaches and feelings of being dizzy but it will help you. Just remember that if you have any other symptoms or have any other unusual feelings you let us know."
While he said this he prepared the medication for me, drawing the medication in the plastic syringe. After filling the medication to the right dosage he looked at me and said.
"Now Max can you take this yourself or would you like me to do it?"
"I can do it myself"
"Okay, just for that to work I need to take off your restraints. If I do, can I trust you not to act up"
"Yeah, sure whatever man, seriously can you untie me already. My hands are starting to feel weird, and I would like to be able to walk around."
He slowly untied one of the restraints to my arm. I immediately started to stretch that arm completely. God, no wonder hospitals stopped doing this kind of shit in my past life/future. This had to be illegal to place a kid in a chair like this for as long as they did. But, I guess in this time period it was normal.
Keckler handed me the syringe which I placed in my mouth and pushed in the medication. Christ this shit tasted like that shitty grape flavored cough syrup medication mixed in with another taste I couldn't even begin to describe beside a medication flavor. I didn't intend to savory the flavor and immediately with great difficulty swallowed it. I most have made a face because Keckler chuckled a little and said.
"Yeah, I know I told you it wouldn't be tasty"
Tasty my ass, I would rather eat shit. Oh the after taste is even worse then the medication taste
" drink please."
When hearing my request Keckler reached down underneath his desk, opened a drawer and pulled out juice boxes. Why this man had that in his office I could give less fucks right now.
"Do you-
"Don't care just givemme"
I took the red juice box from him and started to drink it like there was no tomorrow. Get this ass tasting medication out of my mouth, Please.
While I was busy drinking the my juice, Keckler had untied the other arm restraint. After that he did the legs too. When they were all removed I had finished my drink, got up to stand. I had been sitting down for way too long, and now I had that urge to stand and actually use my legs.
"Thank you for taking the medication, Max. Just so you know you need to take that once daily. You can come tomorrow to pick it up. Remember if you feel anything unusual you let us know, okay. Now its already past 6 right now, and bedtime is at 8 so that gives you some time to look around, talk and maybe play with the other children here today before bedtime. See you tomorrow Max"
The moment that those words 'see you' left his mouth, I wanted to stop him from talking and tell him "say less" but didn't. That man was unfortunately a talker, God that was going to be annoy listing to him. Paul wasn't much of a talker more a listener type of counselor, but Keckler that guy didn't seem to want to shut up, like he needed someone to listen to him. That dude most certainly got bullied as a child or maybe he was a single child. Probably both.