“I don't get it. How are we supposed to learn anything without a teacher?” Robin asked. “It was hard enough to learn with one.”
"Oh, you'll be surprised at what you can accomplish when you are left to your own initiative, Robin Lyn. Of course, you will all help each other. Cooperation in that regard is very important. I will want you all to fully understand how important it is to get along with each other, with others of different backgrounds. Out there, that's what you must do to be a contributing member of society.
“But, self-reliance is essential, too. We can cooperate with each other, but we can't become totally dependent upon others or we become a burden, don't we? That is truly what the three of you are right now, a burden. You'll either be cast off or you'll learn to walk on your own. Sink or swim,” she said, her face now turning cool. When she called for it, that iciness seemed to emerge from within her, rise to the surface of her face, penetrate her eyes, tighten her lips, and make her look taller, more intimidating.
I glanced again at the other two. Despite the brave fronts they were putting on, I sensed they were just as anxious about all this as I was. I noticed as well that thethree young women behind Dr. Foreman had grown still again, had barely moved a muscle since she had looked at them. How could they be so disciplined? They were three statues.
How much longer would we be kept here? I wondered. It was dank and musty, the air so stale my throat ached. Why did we have to begin in such a place anyway? The stool was uncomfortable. The lighting was dull. What was the point of having us sit at old grade-school desks? I was still tired and achy from my unpleasant trip. I couldn't wait to go to sleep in a bed and I had to go to the bathroom, but I was afraid to mention it yet. I didn't want to be the first one.
“To be sure you are making the right amount of effort at your schoolwork, you will be tested from time to time on your academic subjects, and if you don't pass, you will be given demerits,” Dr. Foreman explained.
“Demerits?” Teal said, smirking. “What does that mean, we won't get our Girl Scout patches and medals?”
“No, my dear,” Dr. Foreman responded. “Nothing that important. You are all as of now under my merit system. Since you have all been brought here as a last resort because of your antisocial behavior, you will all be beginning with a minus ten and have to work your way back up to zero before you can even hope to achieve rights and privileges.”
That did sound threatening.
“What rights and privileges?” I asked.
“Well, for one thing, you will have to wear what you're wearing until you achieve the points to wear my school uniforms.”
“What are we wearing? This is disgusting,” Tealcomplained. “Not only are these ... these rags irritating my skin, they smell, and why do we have to wear diapers, for Christ sakes? I want my clothes back.”
“Yes, I'm sorry about these transitional outfits. They do have that unpleasant odor.” Dr. Foreman sounded sympathetic. She also made it sound as if there were no other choice. I finally saw the three rottweilers soften their lips into a smile.
“But why are we wearing diapers?” Robin asked.
“Because, my dear, you are being reborn. Unfortunately, none of you have shown enough maturity to be considered anything but infants, and until you do, that's how you will be treated,” Dr. Foreman said firmly, losing the smile. Then she blossomed into another to add, “Believe me, my dear, you'll be grateful you have them on.”
The slight smiles on the three young women behind her widened almost into laughter when she said that.
“That's cold,” Teal said. “And disgusting. I feel like some old lady with bladder trouble. I want my clothing back. They were expensive, especially the designer jeans. You have no right to take them away from me. Why can't we all have our clothes back?” she whined, now sounding more like a spoiled child than a defiant teenager.
“I've already given that answer. One thing you will learn and learn very quickly here, Teal, is if I or anyone else has to repeat something to you, it's because you don't or won't listen, and that will result in a demerit.”
“I don't care about any demerits. I want my clothing!” Teal shouted back. Her voice echoed off the cement walls and then died as if her words were smashed to bits, the letters splattered and then raining down to the dank concrete floor.
Dr. Foreman took a step toward her. “Oh, but you will care, my dear. That will be one of the significant changes in you very soon,” she said slowly, her voice so full of chill, I imagined the words turning to ice in the air between them. Even the cold smile disappeared.
“I want to go home,” Teal cried back at her. “Right now.”
“Do you? Unfortunately for you, for all of you, no one wants you back, Teal. In fact, I'm the only one who wants you.”
“How long do I have to stay here, live on your ranch, and milk cows or whatever?” Teal was definitely someone who couldn't stand being bossed around.
“That's entirely up to you,” Dr. Foreman replied. “Now then, there will be no more questions.” She turned to Robin and me. “No more questions from any of you. You will all just listen and you will do what you are told to do. Listen well, girls,” she added, her cold smile returning to those lips.
