*Kkkzzzzhhh*



"Ahem." A crisp female voice sounds out, a rustling of papers following and the inaudible mutter of other voices in the room, "This is Dr. Samantha Kendricks, recording for Mercy Asylum's Patient Assessment Board. Drs. Erin Johnson and Irma Reina are also present, along with several others in a non-official capacity."

The voice paused for a moment, some whispering evident. Then, "This Board is sitting to assess Mr. Alan Reeves, hereafter referred to as Patient 1347. The file in front of you all details Patient 1347's particulars. Notably, for our purposes, several independent descriptions of wild behaviour, including from one of his teachers and a relative."

A smooth, almost husky voice broke in, "Dr. Johnson here. I note as well, that Patient 1347 has been unable to sustain any of the half dozen relationships reported here. He consistently fails for a variety of reasons, most of which stem from an almost deliberate eschewal of discipline and moderation."

"I concur," Dr Kendricks broke back in, paper moving in the background of the recording, "That certainly bears notation. He's gone through several different educational institutions, and a couple of entry level jobs at which, though he was well liked and rather personable, still lacked efficiency. Dr. Reina, you wished to comment on that last particular?"

"Ye-yes," A small hitch in the third woman's voice stiffled her immediate response, and she sounded a trifle more shrill than normal, "I...ah...wanted to note for the record the recommendations of his superior at his last position. A Madame Jasmine Hilton, I believe."

"Yes?" Kendricks' voice was silky smooth now and, though the recording quality was excellent, sounded a trifle off kilter now as well.

"Madame Hilton was the one who recommended our institution as an excellent means of, and I quote, 'salvaging a good disciplined boy from the wreck of a man he's become.' I note this here for the record as she has extended an exceedingly generous employment package to Patient 1347 upon successful evaluation and release by this institution."

"Excellent." Kendricks purred into the microphone, "Post-release is always a fragile period for patients, and having a solid employer will no doubt be of assistance in reintegrating 1347."

"Now then." More paper rustling could be heard through the recording, along with a few hitches in the breathing of the three doctors, and an odd moan, swiftly silenced. A few beats of silence followed. Then.

"I believe we are agreed then. Nurse, please bring in Patient 1347 for his hearing."

A door can be heard opening in the background, and almost immediately a man's voice becomes increasingly evident.

"...said let me go! You can't keep me here like this you freaky fucki--" The nascent diatribe was suddenly cut off with a meaty *thud* and was followed by wheezing.

"Dr Kendricks here once more for the record. Patient 1347 has also exhibited excessive foul language, especially aimed at staff members charged with keeping him properly in line. Nurse Callahan administered a physical corrective measure, well within our practical guidelines here."

The male voice weakly piped up, "Well in line? You sadistic fu-ggaggaghhmmm!"

"Patient 1347 has consistently failed to demonstrate proper decorum to staff and, for his safety and the mental health of staff present, will continue this hearing gagged." A few moans loud enough to be picked up by the microphone could be heard, followed by a dragging sound, and then the squeal and squeak of leather being tightened.

"Now then, Patient 1347. Yes, you Mr Reeves. I believe you understand why you are here, but let me illuminate you if not. Your wild lifestyle has harmed a good many folk who hold you near and dear to their hearts. Family, friends, romantic attachments, employers. All of them have expressed, in writing, their desire for you to have an organized and successful life. Thus, you have been remanded to Mercy Asylum, and assigned a patient number, 1347."

Alan's moans could be heard much more clearly now, and sounds of struggling soon accompanied them. Kendricks' voice came back in, "It does no good to struggle 1347, I assure you our straightjackets and associated bonds are quite inescapable. Even if you got free, there are four of us, and one of you. Please try to comport yourself with some dignity."

A muffled snarl came from Alan, and Kendricks tut-tutted, "Well I suppose that's to be expected. Now, it is the opinion of this board that you will be kept at Mercy Asylum for a period of five years, with annual assessments as to your reintegration potential. Your conduct and acceptance of our programming here will be the dual determiners of how rapidly you are able to re-join society. I will take this moment to assure you 1347," Kendricks' voice now became implacable, edged with a shadowy hint of almost malice, "We have not failed a single one of our patients. We will not fail you. You will be improved. You will be cured."

More muffled cursing emerged from behind the unseen man's gag and there was a squeaking sound as Kendricks leaned back in her chair, "Nurse Callahan, please take Patient 1347 to his introductory room. I am proscribing, on top of the two hours of introduction to the facility and general training, a further hour of in-person discipline before he is placed into a class. Do I have concurrence."

Two gasping "Concur!" came from either side. The muffled struggling and cursing gradually faded and the room was left quiet. Not quite silent though. Those strange moans seemed to creep into the recording and were the only sounds, with loud ragged breathing coming from somewhere.

"Sooo..." Kendricks' voice came back, smooth and polished once more, but now tinged with satisfaction. Like a lioness after a kill, "I trust both of you appreciate the manner in which our PABs are conducted?"

"Oh God yes!" Dr Johnson replied forcefully. Dr Reina concurred a moment later, "Dio! I had...mmmm...no idea...Tell me though, Dr Kendricks..."

"Please, Samantha. I think we are past last names, the three of us, at least in private."

"Samantha. Mmmm. Quite. I just...are they all like this?"

"I always prefer to hold these hearings with several of the patients who have suffuciently advanced in their treatment to be publicly viewable. At least by the patient-to-be. That way, their eventual positions are made crystal clear to them."

"Clear enough to me," Dr Johnson cut back in, "This sl-ah, this patient damn well knows how to use her tongue."

"We like to ensure our patients are given ways to thank the staff who cares for them 24/7. We've found it significantly improved morale." The smile was evident in Kendricks' voice, "At least, among staff. Patient morale is irrelevant to their treatment and, after a few months, ireelevant to them usually as well. Now, ladies, it is traditional that PAB attendees take the rest of the day off to, ahem, personally instruct the patients brought for public viewing. I trust I need not say more?"

Mumbles of assent and understanding were given and then there was movement. The jingling of chains, the squeaking and squeal of rubber and leather, more of those odd moans. And then footsteps towards the door, some moving with purpose, others seeming to shuffle as though weighed down. A  moment later, Kendricks came back again, "This is Doctor Samantha Kendricks. PAB Hearing for Patient 1347 complete. Patient will be remanded to this facility for five years. Once sentence is complete, and training confirmed, patient to be remanded into the personal care of Madame Jasmine Hilton. Routine check-ins thereafter on a monthly basis for a further five years to ensure training retention. Log complete."

And as easy as that, another patient was taken in by Mercy Asylum. They had never failed once to properly remold wild and unruly children and adults into the perfect models of obedience, moderation, and discipline. Nor would they fail with their latest project.