(Fade to brightly lit room)

As Howard came to, he realized that something was not right. He was laying on a mattress, in a brightly lit room. Running his fingers down his arm, he found a needle that led to a IV drip directly above him. When he tried to move, he found that his leg, which someone had wrapped and bandaged, was chained to a pipe.

With his eyes gradually returning to normal, he was able to look around. It quickly became clear that he was in someone's basement. There were no windows, the door was solid steel, and there was a heavy lock and latch in place. Suddenly, his wandering eye caught sight of a small pile in the corner. His jacket and pants were bundled up, and his phone and wallet lay on top.

His phone! Howard tried to reach for it, but the chain was too short and he couldn't reach. Thinking quickly, he removed the needle and IV pouch and used the mounting rod to drag it within reach. When he tried to call 911, however, he soon realized that there was no service.

Before he could think out his next move, the latch began to turn. Howard barely had time to hide his phone before the door swung open. Standing there was a young woman of about 31. She was wearing fading jeans and a denim jacket with a white shirt, and her hair was tied back. Looking closer, Howard noticed that she was wearing a holster. With a gun.

As his mind raced, the woman put a tray of scrambled eggs and toast by his mattress. Having noticed the fallen rod, she picked it up and rehung the IV before placing the needle back in Howard's arm. "You need fluids."

"Please, let me go. I won't tell anyone. Please!" Howard pleaded.

The woman ignored him and threw a metal lockpick between his legs. "Here. I suggest you learn how to use these." Before Howard could respond, she locked the door and left.

Howard looked down and spotted a pair of wooden crutches. As he moved to unlock the chain that bound him, he tried to think about what to do next. She'll probably kill me. Hell, she might even eat me. She's just trying to trick me. Probably put arsenic in the food.

Suddenly, he noticed that the rubber end on one of the crutches was loose. Using the lockpick, he was able to remove it. The wood was firm, but weak. I could sharpen this. Make a weapon.

(Stop)