The Institute

Previously on The Institute...

Look, I've been thinking about what you said

about those motion cameras in in the hallways,

how they can detect your body heat.

I don't care, Nicky.

I figure if we can get into the AC closet,

maybe we can find a way to raise the temperature enough

to produce that "motion white-out"

you were talking about.

I can't take you all the way to the fence,

but I can get you close.

Be in the laundry room by 11:30, not a minute later.

I'm Kate, Kate the Great.

Oh. What do you do, Kate?

I run the local paper, Dennison Weekly Standard.

A journalist.

Anybody ever really, really look into the Institute?

I mean, like the Chief or Inspections or anything?

Pretty sure it's federal. We don't have jurisdiction.

What exactly goes on in there, man?

Infectious disease research.

Really?

He's the new Dennison night knocker,

the one I told you about.

The one who was talking to the crazy woman.

Yeah.

You should've taken him out, too.

You agreed it wasn't a problem unless she mentioned us.

Well, clearly, it's a problem.

We're a popular target for conspiracy theorists.

We've decided it best to confront them directly.

Once you're past the fence,

just head downhill right to the river.

You're gonna have to cross that river

and then walk downstream until you get to the Red Steps.

I'll come and pick you up once I'm off shift.

I know a reporter. They're gonna tell your story.

What is this?

Show the world what goes on here.

You're gonna have to cross that river

and then walk downstream until you get to the Red Steps.

I'll come and get you once I'm off shift.

Oh, uh, is there a problem?

Ms. Sigsby is not in her office.

We can't find her on any of the cameras,

but the log says she hasn't left.

Any idea where she might be?

Actually, I do.

HVAC room.

I know Maintenance is short on manpower.

Don't tell me they've pressed you into service.

When the air-conditioning was on the fritz yesterday,

I figured it was just another sign

of this place being run down... sloppiness, carelessness.

But then Maintenance got around to fixing it.

Turns out it wasn't sloppiness, after all.

Sabotage.

If one of our staff wanted to fuck this place,

there's a thousand ways more effective.

Who said anything about staff?

A child?

Which one?

Oh, which one do you think?

Ellis. Are you certain?

Well, he's due for the Box.

I'll just tell Tony to keep him in a couple of extra minutes.

I braced the night knocker.

And? Is he from Upstairs?

Almost certainly not.

He really is just a drifter,

happened to drift here.

Mm. So...

not worth killing?

I'm not saying that.

What are you saying?

I've met guys like him in the Forces, other places.

Once they get a hold of something,

you have to pry their jaws open to make them let go.

He won't stop.

So we stop him.

Hey.

You've really been out there all night?

Uh, yeah. Yeah, I guess I have.

You find anything at least?

Not sure.

I think I found the spot

where Zoe Sloane and her friends used to hang out.

Some kind of... cabin or something.

It's been torn down.

Not much of it left. It's probably Stackhouse.

He's probably lying about them

the same way he lied about Annie.

That might be a leap.

Why don't you come back, tell me about it?

Yeah. Yeah, I will. I just...

I can't help but feel that I'm missing something, you know?

Something... something here is very wrong,

and nobody seems to give a shit, and I am the only one...

I give a shit.

Look, something's wrong. I get it.

Come back. I'll help you figure out what it is.

Also, I need my fucking car.

Tim?

Are you there? I've gotta get to work in like an hour.

Sorry. I'm coming back now.

Thanks.

Okay.

Maureen.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir. Right away.

Mr. Stackhouse needs to see you in Maintenance.

I'll hold your stuff.

He said it shouldn't take long.

Okay.

A guard says he found them in the Back Half rec yard.

I thought no one ever goes back there.

Mostly they don't.

What if one of the kids had found them?

Kids back there are hardly in finding shape.

I want to know who signed them out of Maintenance.

There must be a record.

There is.

And it doesn't interest you which of our employees

is capable of this level of carelessness?

Why? So, you can fire them?

Julia, you can't complain about a staffing shortage

and then try to fire the people you do have

over every little thing.

What happened to you?

-Excuse me? -There was a time

you never would have tolerated this kind of breach.

If you're unhappy with my performance,

you can suggest our employers let me go.

You hate they gave me this place.

Don't you?

Passed over for a girl you trained.

Passed over for a girl.

Our employers, in their wisdom,

decided we were best served with an administrator at the helm.

Not my place to question it.

Your jealousy's making you sloppy, Trevor.

Is there something you wanted to say, Julia?

Was it Dr. Hendricks?

I notice you two have been spending

a great deal of time together.

Find out who dropped the fucking scissors.

I wanna talk to them.

Hi. This is Maureen Alvorson from...

Yes, that's right.

Um, you remember you said if I ever wanted to talk?

Well, I got a story that makes Watergate

look like a walk in the park.

Anyway, I've got your source all ready to go.

I was gonna bring him to you, but...

I'm afraid there's been a change of plans.

Yeah.

Looks like I may not make it outta here.

So, I need you to meet him yourself,

get him somewhere safe,

make sure the world hears his story.

It... Then I'll let him cover all that.

You wouldn't believe me anyway.

He's expecting to meet me at the Red Steps.

Can you get there?

Don't worry about a thing.

You're a good person, Maureen.

Thanks.

Anyone with eyes on caretaker Alvorson,

she's wanted in Maintenance.

Are you okay?

You need some help?

Hey. Wait, wait. Whoa! Whoa!

It's okay. It's okay. I'm not gonna hurt you.

-Stop! Stop! Don't... -Okay.

-Don't come any closer. -Okay.

Okay. Easy. Just take it easy.

Are you with them?

Who? Am I with who?

It's okay, kid. I'm a cop, okay?

Well, I'm sort of a cop. My name's Tim.

Who's done this to you? Was it one of your parents?

No!

My parents are dead.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Look, I think you're telling the truth,

but I'm not strong enough to be sure.

-Right. -God, I wish Avery were here.

Who's Avery?

Look, kid, you're pretty banged up.

We should probably get you to a doctor or hospital.

No, no. No. I don't have time for that.

I need to get to a place called the Red Steps.

Do you know it?

Why don't you have time for this?

-You're in trouble, huh? -You're not listening to me.

I need to get to the Red Steps.

You... You're not going to believe me anyway.

Why do you need to get to the Red Steps?

Do you know it, man?