The Institute
Chapter 1
Dr. Garner flipped through the report on his desk for the fourth time. It did not read any better than it had the first time. He had been the director of The Institute for Female Correction and Adjustment for over ten years and this was the first time he could remember having any empty beds. A few years earlier, he was turning patients away because they did not meet the Institute’s strict standards. The Institute only admitted women aged 18 to 30 in good physical condition. Over the years, Dr. Garner had created a network of contacts that helped provide a steady stream of patients, but lately, that stream had become only a trickle. He buzzed his assistant, Laurie, and asked her to come into his office. A few minutes later, she knocked and entered.
Laurie Vincent had been employed by the Institute for over five years. She had started as a nurse and worked her way up to his assistant. She knew her job and did it well. “Yes, Doctor?”
“The quarterly report is disappointing. How many empty beds do we currently have?”
“Five, Doctor,” she said knowing he was not pleased. She could tell by the long silence that he was unhappy.
“That is unacceptable. We need to fill those empty beds with patients asap. If we don’t, we won’t need as many nurses, if you know what I mean.” She nodded. “Let’s check with our contacts at some of the local colleges and see if they can assist us. They have been a good source of patients and the semester is just starting, so there will be lots of new faces on campus.”
“Yes, Doctor.” Laurie did not take his threat lightly. She remembered about two years ago, Dr. Garner had become unhappy with one of the new nurses, who seemed incapable to following his directions. She was medicated and admitted as a patient. After several sessions of correction and adjustment, she was content and compliant. She had been relocated with one of Dr. Garner’s clients and had become a successful sex worker. After that, the nursing staff was careful to make sure they followed Dr. Garner’s orders to the letter. Laurie was no exception. She left Dr. Garner’s office and headed back to hers to see if she could fill the empty beds.
Kate, Suzanne and Madison finally got the car packed and were headed for a long weekend of camping and hiking in the White Mountains. Kate and Madison were roommates and Suzanne was a friend of Kate. Both Kate and Madison were experienced hikers, but Suzanne wanted to give it a try. It was almost 4:00pm on Thursday when they left and they hoped to be at the campsite by 7:30pm and before it got too dark. Although Madison’s Bronco was stuffed, they managed to squeeze in. All of them had finished college a year earlier and both Kate and Madison were working for a local temp agency, while Suzanne, a teacher’s aide, had the summer off. The first couple of hours went well as the girls chatted and listened to music. Madison and Suzanne sat in the front seat, which Katie carved out a spot in the back seat. As they made there way toward the mountains, Katie became quiet and Madison could tell that something was not right with her.
“She doesn’t look good,” Suzanne said. “Is she car sick?”
“No, I’m afraid it’s one of her migraine headaches. She gets them from time to time and they come on without any warning.”
“Is there anything I can do for her?”
“She has some medicine, but it’s probably crammed into one of the bags in the back. Usually, I end up taking her to the emergency room and they give her something to ease the pain.”
“I hate to say it, but we are a long way from any ER.” Madison pulled over onto the shoulder to see if she could find Katie’s medicine.” She tore through the bags, but could not find what she was looking for.
“Katie, sweetie, did you pack your medicine?” Katie shook her head. “It hurts so bad.”
“Don’t worry sweetie, we are going to find some help.” Even as she said it, Madison knew that her promise would go unfulfilled.
“Maddie, there was a sign about two miles back. There was also a set of gates. Maybe they could help us?” At that point, Katie was out of options. She threw the Bronco into reverse and headed back in the direction of the sign that Suzanne had seen. The sun was beginning to set and it was getting darker, but Madison managed to see the sign ahead. She pulled up to the gate. The sign read “The Institute of Female Correction and Adjustment—Dr. Patrick Garner”.
“What a strange name. Do you think it’s some kind of prison?”
“Seems unlikely, but at this point any doctor would be welcome.” Madison opened the phone box and lifted the receiver. It rang several times.
“Good evening, how may I help you?”
“I’m sorry to bother you, but one of our friends is very sick with a migraine headache and we were hoping that you might be able to help her.”
“The Institute is closed for the evening. Can you come back tomorrow?
“Our friend is in some real pain, we need to find help now.”
“Just a moment.” After several minutes, the gates unlocked and swung open.” Madison put the Bronco into gear and headed up the long driveway. The grounds seemed to be manicured. She pulled into a parking space marked “Visitor.” Both Madison and Suzanne stepped out of the car. They were met by two nurses pushing a wheelchair. They helped Katie into the chair and pushed her toward the main building. Madison and Suzanne followed. They were met by another nurse when they entered the building. They watched as the wheelchair with Katie in it disappeared down the corridor.
“Where are they taking Katie?” Madison blurted. Even a normal hospital required patients to fill out forms.
“They are taking her back to the examination room so that Dr. Garner can take a look at her. Once he does that, we can update you on her condition.”
“She has a migraine headache. She gets them from time to time. She just needs some medicine to treat that.” Madison was showing her impatience.
“There’s no reason to be upset. Dr. Garner will determine what is best for Katie. The two of you will have to wait. Both Suzanne and Madison took seats in the lobby. After an hour and a half, Madison approached the nurse again.
“I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but isn’t Dr. Garner threw with Katie yet?” The nurse picked up the phone and dailed.
“Yes, this is Amy at the front desk, what is the status of Miss Katie?” She nodded her head. “I understand.” She hung up the phone and walked over to where Madison and Suzanne were sitting. “Dr. Garner has examined Katie and wants to keep her overnight for observation. He believes she may have problems in addition to her migraine.”
“Can we see her?”
“I’m afraid not. Visiting hours are over and you are not related to her.” Madison was exasperated.
“Where the heck are we supposed to stay? I bet there is not a hotel for 60 miles in either direction.”
“Fortunately, we have guest quarters here and the two of you are welcome to spend the night.” That made Madison and Suzanne feel better although both of them were beginning to wish they had not come here. The place gave Madison the creeps. “I’m afraid that the Institute’s rules do not permit guests to have cell phones or other communication devices. We will keep them for you. Madison and Suzanne looked at each other. Neither of them wanted to give up their only source of communication, but they were both exhausted. Madison handed her phone to Amy and Suzanne followed suit. Amy pushed a button and a few minutes later, a young woman appeared from down the corridor. At first, Madison thought she was a boy because she wore a nondescript uniform and had a crew cut. “This is Amanda. She is one of our trustee patients. She will show you to your quarters. Thank you, Amanda.”
“Yes, Mistress.”
“Please follow me ladies.” Amanda led Madison and Suzanne down a corridor perpendicular to the one that Katie had been taken. She unlocked the door to a large bedroom with two beds and a small bathroom. “These are your quarters. I hope that you have a restful sleep. There are nightgowns and socks laid out for you.”
“Amanda?” Madison asked.
“Yes, Mistress.”
“How long have you been a patient at the Institute?”
“I have been here for about two months, Mistress.”
“Where were you before you came to the Institute?”
“I was a student at Western State College. Dr. Garner invited several students to come to the Institute and we all agreed. It was the best decision of my life,” she said with a vacant smile on her face. She then left, pulling the door closed behind her. Neither Madison nor Suzanne heard it lock.
“I don’t know about you, but I am exhausted.” Suzanne walked over to the bed. There was a knee length cotton nightgown and a pair of white crew socks.
“You’re not going to actually wear that are you?”
“Well, I’m not sleeping in my jeans. Suzanne took the nightgown and socks and went into the bathroom. When she emerged, she seemed more relaxed. “These actually feel really comfortable.” Madison rolled her eyes.
“Fine.” This had been the day from hell and she hope that they could get back on the road in the morning and salvage a portion of their trip. She slipped out of her clothes and slipped on the nightgown and then the socks. Suzanne was right, they felt really good. Her body instantly felt more relaxed. “You’re right, this nightgown is super comfortable. I wonder if they will let me take it home.” Suzanne was already in bed, her eyelids drooping. What the girls did not know and had not seen was the small camera affixed to the ceiling. Dr. Garner watched as they got ready for bed.
“Laurie, once the other one lays down, please activate the relaxation gas and turn on the subliminals. I want both of them to have a nice relaxing sleep so that we can admit them in the morning.”
“Yes, Doctor.” As soon as Madison was in bed. Laurie punched several buttons on the laptop and a colorless and odorless gas began to enter the bedroom through the vents. Small speakers positioned next to the beds were activated and they began to emit binaural beats along with messages including “Obedience is pleasure, pleasure is obedience,” “good girls do as they are told,” and “my body exists to provide pleasure.” These messages would bombard the girls’ brains for the next eight hours. By the time they awoke, the desire to leave the Institute would be erased. Instead, they would beg Dr. Garner to admit them as patients. Suzanne and Madison quietly drifted off to sleep.
Dr. Garner then went to check on Katie. Her migraine headache was long gone and she had been sedated. She had signed the paperwork and had been admitted as Patient No. 415. She wore a wristband with that designation along with the warning “This Patient has been diagnosed with a serious mental illness. She should be returned to the Institute for Female Correction and Adjustment immediately.” Katie also wore the same nightgown and socks as her friends. She was lying in bed wearing a VR headset. A line of drool extended from the corner of her mouth to her nightgown. She had been deeply hypnotized by the headset and her mind was being softened to accept more intense treatment by Dr. Garner. He scribbled a note on her chart: “Patient 415 is responding nicely to VR therapy and should be ready for more intense therapy soon.” Clearly, Katie was experiencing sexual stimulation based upon her soft moans and her arching back.
Suzanne was awakened the next morning by one of the nurses. She could not remember having such a good night’s sleep. “Dr. Garner would like to meet with you.” Suzanne slipped off the bed and into the waiting wheel chair. She noticed that the clothes she had changed out of and folded were gone.
“Shouldn’t I get dressed?” The nurse smiled.
“That won’t be necessary. Dr. Garner would like you to be as comfortable as possible.” That made perfect sense. After all, good girls do as they are told and Suzanne was a good girl.
“How about Madison?”
“Dr. Garner wants her to sleep.” Suzanne nodded.
“Yes, Ma’am.” The nurse pushed Suzanne down the corridor. They turned down the corridor where Katie had been taken the evening before. A sign on the wall read “Correction and Adjustment Ward—Patients and Medical Staff Only—No Visitors”. Suzanne felt very relaxed. The good night’s sleep had done wonders. All of her concerns about the Institute had vanished. All the people here were so nice and she was grateful that she and Madison had been able to stay overnight. The nurse knocked on the door to Dr. Garner’s office.
“Please come in.” She opened the door and pushed the wheel chair so that it was positioned in front of Dr. Garner’s desk. “Well, now, I hope you have a restful evening, Suzanne?”
“Oh yes, Doctor. I cannot remember sleeping that well in a long time.”
“I’m so glad. I just wanted to speak with you about Katie. I have decided that Katie needs to spend some more time here at the Institute. Her migraine is resolved, but I think she would benefit from some correction and adjustment.” Suzanne nodded. That made perfect sense to her. Who wouldn’t want to stay here. “For that matter, I think both you and Madison would benefit from some correction and adjustment as well.” Suzanne smiled.
“How long would that take?” Dr. Garner leaned back in his chair.
“Usually, it depends on our testing. Some patient need more correction that others, but on average I would say 30 days. By that time, you should be perfectly well adjusted and ready to return to society. It gives us time to condition your mind and remove any toxins.” Suzanne smiled.
“I think I would like that very much. Can you write a note to my employer to excuse me?”
“Why, of course. No worries.” He pushed his intercom button. “Laurie, Miss Suzanne will be admitted as a patient immediately.” Dr. Garner pushed some paperwork across the desk. “Please sign here. This allows me full authority to provide you with the care you need. Lots of legal mumbo jumbo, but you are welcome to read it.” That seemed like a silly idea to Suzanne so she signed and dated it.
“Good girl. You will be Patient No. 623. We don’t use names at the Institute because it becomes too confusing. We will address you by your number.” Laurie entered with a wristband for the new patient. “There now, we will have you corrected in no time. Katie is being prepped for her first session, but the nurse will take you down there.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
“Thank you, 623.” The nurse wheeled her out of Dr. Garner’s office and further down the corridor to a large plate glass window. 623 could see 415 seated in a chair receiving a haircut. Her long auburn hair was being reduced to a crew cut. 415 had a smile on her face.
“She looks very happy,” 623 said.
“She is. All of that hair gets in the way of treatment. All of our patients receive crew cuts.” 623 smiled. It would be nice to have all of her blonde hair reduced to a nice crew cut. If it would make her correction and adjustment more effective, then she welcomed it. When 415 was finished, she stood and was moved over to a different chair. This one looked like a large padded dentist chair with a large acrylic dome similar to a dryer in a salon. 415 sat in the chair and her arms and legs were secured with Velcro straps. The dome was lowered onto her head and the chair began to hum. The dome began to change colors and 415’s face went blank as her memories and thoughts began to evaporate. Her mind was no longer her own. “Let’s take you to your new room 623,” the nurse said.
“Yes, Ma’am,” 623 said, “will it be my turn soon?”
“Yes, it will baby girl. Yes it will.”