"Welcome back! Oh, don't bother trying to move, you'll find it's impossible for now. I know, it's a little concerning, right?"

The Other reaches down and wipes a tear from her cheek. "It's bizarre being reassured by yourself, or at least someone who looks just like you. But trust us - if you follow our program and actually mean it, you'll be out of here in no time and I'll be on my way to the recycler."

"One sec, I'll grab a mirror so you can see yourself. The new ones always want to get a look at their whole situation. Not much to see though."

The Other removes a hand mirror from a nearby drawer, and holds it in front of her face. The first thing she sees are the straps.

Her head is being held locked into a padded chair by a sturdy set of restraints, one around her forehead and one around her neck like an institutional version of a heavy collar. Her mouth is held closed by another strap under her chin, tied into the sides of the head strap.

As the Other steps back, she sees herself locked into a seated position, tied at multiple points into a sturdy wheelchair. She attempts to fight against the restraints, but though her mind tries to will herself to move, the only thing that responds are her eyes.

More tears appear at the corners of her eyes. "Awww, it'll be alright. I'll take good care of you. After all, for all practical purposes I am you, just the you that made much better decisions in life, and has the skills to rehabilitate a hardened criminal such as ourselves. You asked for this, and I agree - it's a hell of a lot better to deal with me for a little while than to just rot in a concrete box for a decade or two."

"If you do exactly as I say, participate in our counseling and behavioral management classes, and the scans show actual behavioral changes in your mind, you'll be out and on your way. A little restitution, a little community service, and it'll be like you never got in trouble."

"Not quite a clean slate, but the best we can offer short of a total mind wipe. Those are messy though, so good choice on your part."

"I know, you want to know when I'll let you speak. Unfortunately, if you can speak you can spit, and we both know you really want to spit in my face. Our face. For now, you're fully in my care, and I allow you to breathe and see. Remember, I can always take those away as well at any time, so don't even begin to imagine fucking with me."

"I know all your wants, dreams, fears, and desires; so trust in me and I'll make this a great experience for the both of us. After all, I was made to do this. For now, let's go to orientation. Not like you have any choice. Pay attention though, I'm sure you'll have questions. I might even allow you to ask them."