Play Along

[children shouting and laughing in the distance]

Hello?

I don't know you.

Why are you doing this?

No, it is fine.

It is good. Go ahead.

-I know you are thirsty! -

Please.

I don't understand.

I don't understand.

Please, no.

No. No! No! No! No!

No!

Skylar Watkins.

Look, I know you're new here.

I know you're not aware yet of the rules at this school,

but you need to learn them

if you're going to make anything of your opportunities.

As principal, it's my vocation...

It's my passion, frankly,

to marshal my students to their best futures.

Now

I know you went to public school before this.

I know you lived at home. I know you spent

a catastrophically perilous amount of time on social media.

And you have a tendency to,

how to best phrase this,

over share.

None of which is going to help you at this institution.

Success here is merit based, it is not a popularity contest.

It will require your undivided attention and wildest imagination.

But don't get me wrong.

It's not all nose in the books.

There will be time to play.

You will play.

We

will play.

This situation

is a preview of the punishments

that will be inflicted for any and all infractions,

and... while I'm not a fan of punishment,

I do get a bit of a rush out of carrying out my judgments.

It would be best to avoid my hand.

Do not speak.

Splendid.

But I do not think it is time to go to your room just yet.

Not to worry.

The semester is just beginning,

and we have plenty of time!

- -Oh, don't take it so hard!

You'll get the hang of it.

We'll have fun, okay?

It's all just a game.

Shall we begin?

What the fuck?

- -

Freeze! This is the police. Don't move!

Hello? I'm in here!

Hello? I'm here, I'm here!

Here! She's in here!

- Help! Help me! Please, help me, please! -I've got her, she's okay!

Are you okay?

-It's me! -I don't know.

It's your partner. Are you hurt?

-Mm... no. -Okay. I'm gonna get you out of here.

Oh, I'm gonna get you out of here.

Damn it! Damn it! I've gotta get some keys.

Officer, you're in shock!

-You've been taken prisoner. But got them on the run. -No, what are you doing?

-What are you doing? I don't understand... -Breathe. Yeah.

-Breathe. I'll be back! - what are you doing? No, please, no!

-No! What are you doing? -I'll be back!

No, please! What are you doing?

So, how are you feeling?

Heart rate is a bit elevated.

That's to be expected.

The procedure is minimally invasive.

A few small incisions in the abdomen.

Recovery is straightforward.

Ibuprofen for any residual pain. Nothing more.

And you will be good as new in no time.

Sound good?

Y... you're not having second thoughts, are you?

Trust me, there will be no lasting ill effects.

Honestly, I do this all the time.

Just a little pinch, and it's then off to dreamland.

Wait!

Is there a word

like a safe word? -I'm sorry?

If this is a game, and it... and it goes too far,

is th... is there something I can say to pause the game?

I have no idea what you're talking about.

A safe word!

Like, like "blueberry" o... or "Joe" or just "stop."

Please, please, I don't understand the game.

This is not a game.

I am your doctor.

I am here to help you.

-N... no... no, no. No, first, you were a principal... -

and then, and... and then you were a cop

and now you're... No, no... -Just a pinch.

- No, stop! - ...honestly,

you're only gonna hurt yourself.

This is really a simple operation.

There you go!

Fuck you.

Fucker undressed me.

Why?

Skylar!

Skylar, this won't look good on your college application!

Skylar!

Skylar!

Skylar. Skylar.

This is not the best way to approach your treatment.

Skylar!

Skylar!

Skylar!

Skylar!

Skylar!

Let's try this again.

Here we go.

Why?

Why me?

Hmm. Interesting question.

Have you been visited by the malady or

have you conjured it yourself?

Depending on your answer to that question,

your treatment can be tailored to your needs and the best outcome.

But first, we have to break you of this aggression.

This therapy has been discontinued

for most psychiatric patients,

-but I find it is still effective... -

for those prone

to uncontrollable outbursts.

Now, hold still.

Take a deep breath.