For once, there was little prelude; the intercom came to life with a simple click. Only the very perceptive might have caught the quiet feedback from the speakers scattered throughout Landel's Institute. They might have also felt a prickling on the back of their necks, a sensation close to being watched. To being heavily scrutinized.

There was a brief pause. Then, a male's steely voice filled the air with its deep tones and mild Spanish accent.

"Pathetic." Another pause. "Barely gracing mediocrity. After 54 days, I had expected improvement. Results. Something to speak of worth. And what exactly do I find?"

The speaker clicked his tongue, an obvious sign of disgust.

"Animals. Nothing but rats trapped in a maze. You can't even pass for sentient beings with your so-called 'accomplishments'."

It was difficult to tell who exactly this unfamiliar man was referring to. There would be no clarification, however, as he pressed on, his tone now even.

"From this time forward, this will change. You, patients of Landel's Institute, will finally undergo the process that should have been instilled from day one. Within a week's time, we will have gotten back every resource we have poured into this project."

One could catch the finality in the remark, as if there existed no other outcome. The man slipped into a disconcerting pause, before offering his last words for the night:

"Then maybe we can call you valuable."

The intercom clicked off. The night faded to nothing.

Light snowfall marked the beginning of the morning, accompanied by a strange sort of quiet. The usual announcements that came at this time were nowhere to be heard. Thus, one might have expected the institute to have its first peaceful morning, uninterrupted by voices overhead.

No one, therefore, probably expected the rude awakening.

Soldiers lined the corridors within the patient blocks and proceeded to enter into the rooms unannounced. Their orders were simple: get every patient awake and to the cafeteria as quickly and efficiently as possible. There was to be no dawdling, no delay; there was work to be done and an entire population to force it upon.

Upon entering the cafeteria, an individual might have noticed the differences immediately. For one, there existed neither smell nor sight of food. For another, every inch of space along the cafeteria wall was taken up by soldiers: burly figures in unmarked black uniforms carrying rifles at their side. Finally, at the center of room was a pile of cleaning supplies. Dust mops, dustpans, brooms, scrubbers, plastic pails of warm soap water, rags--there seemed no end to their number, almost as if the military was expecting a large group of cleaners.

An officer, differentiated from the others by her uniform and stern demeanor, stepped forward as soon as the crowd settled. She then clapped her hands to call their attention. "Since you obviously have no desire for food and would rather use them as weapons," the woman started, her voice surprisingly monotone for the sarcasm displayed, "we won't bother wasting your time by having you eat this morning."

Here, she gestured to the supplies at the center of the room. Her gaze turned sharp. "We wasted our time by cleaning up after your mess," she continued. "It's only fair you do your part now. Those who have participated in yesterday's insubordination, however, do not get to help. Instead, you will stay as you are and allow everyone a chance to see exactly who is responsible for their punishment."

There was a brief pause as the orders sunk in. "By the end of this shift, I want to see my reflection on the floor. Get to work."

The cafeteria doors slammed shut, signaling the start of the task.

[ Please refer to this post for how to handle the next shift. Also, NEWLY ACCEPTED CHARACTERS are free to reply to this with their introduction post. Please have your character wake up in a random room if we have not yet assigned them. Thank you! ]