I make Solitary a harsh environment to see how humans react to hardship. But I don't keep it that way constantly. I have come to learn that people are more expressive when they are having fun. So, every once in a while, I encourage playfulness with my guests. Thus far, I have only seen a few of my guests interact with their personal items. Now, I will allow each of them to have access to one of their personal items, and study what they do with them.

Number 3 has brought a sword.

"I need to keep in practice," he told me as he swished it around his pod. "I'm not going to stay in here forever, and when I get back out, I still need to be able to defend myself." He swung it within an inch of the monitor. I think he was trying to freak me out.

"Do you enjoy swordplay, Number 3?"

"Are you kidding? This is the most fun I've had since you locked me in here!"

"Why do you enjoy it so much?"

"I'm not sure. It comes very naturally to me. And I get to do it all the time. Well, on the outside, anyway."

"Recorded."

Number 4 also brought a weapon to practice with: a spear.

"This is so much better than any sword," she told me. "I can apply two hands' worth of force to it, for massive damage. Plus, it's got a nice long handle for fancy stuff, like this!" She spun it around her hands, around her torso, and brought the sharp tip within an inch of the monitor still displaying my face.

"Are you trying to scare me, Number 4?"

"Is it working?"

"I don't know, my fear processor must be offline."

Number 5 brought a sketchbook and a set of colored pencils.

"As cheesy as this is going to sound, I do believe that a picture is worth a thousand words. I know that this place is going to haunt my nightmares for the rest of my life, but I want to record it in here too."

"I understand completely. I also keep redundant memory banks, in case of a system failure."

Number 5 chuckled. "It's not quite like that, VAL. When I draw or paint a picture, it makes it my own, you know?"

"Not exactly, but I think I understand."

Number 7 brought a photo album.

"I keep mementos of my favorite pranks in here," he explained. "I brought it to Solitary to remind me of some of the fun times my brother and I had in the past. I thought it could help me get through the rough stuff."

"Previous guests have also brought family photos into Solitary, Number 7. They soon became homesick."

"I don't think that's going to happen to me. I mean, these memories are more awesome than tear-jerker sentimental."

"Oh? How so?"

"Well, take this photo of me and Travis. This is from that time we set a time-released water bomb in Hephaestus cabin, which soaked every cubic inch. It was a logistical nightmare, and it took weeks to set up, but the payout was well worth it. Look at their faces! Priceless!"

I said nothing. I know what nostalgia can do to people. Number 7 will learn it too.

Number 8 is scribbling in her notebook again.

"What are you writing?"

"Thought residue. Stray ideas that pop into my head. I don't want to forget them when I leave Solitary."

"Are they of any value?"

"No, not really."

"Then why are you writing them down?"

"I'm just trying to keep sane. I've got a brilliant mind, and I don't want to lose it."

"Fighting insanity is an uphill battle, Number 8."

"I know, and I'm prepared to endure that fight."

"Recorded."

Number 9 has brought his metalworking tools.

"Gee, thanks VAL. There's not a lot of point to having my tools if I don't have any metal."

"I know that. Please, go to your meal slot."

Inside were some metal scraps, wires, and circuit boards. Leftover bits from one of my recent upgrades.

"All right, now we're cooking!"

"Interesting choice of words. I must ask that you not damage your pod."

"Relax, VAL. I know what I'm doing."

"I believe you, Number 9, but even people who know what they're doing can make mistakes."

He tinkered away in silence. I asked what he was making, but he brushed me off, saying he would tell me when he was done.

"How long will that be, Number 9?"

"I don't know, maybe another hour or so."

How cute. He thinks he's getting a whole hour. I could tell him that I only plan to allow this access for thirty minutes. But, I kind of want to see how he reacts to being told his time is up.

"Attention guests. Playtime is over now. Please put your toys back in the meal slot."

"In a minute, VAL," said Number 9. "I want to get this wire soldered on."

"Number 9, when I said 'guests', I meant you as well."

"But I'm not finished yet. Can I finish it, please?"

"No. Not right now. But, if you wish, I can keep your unfinished project for you, so you can resume it later."

Number 9 looked at me suspiciously. "I'd rather finish it now, if it's all the same to you."

"It is most definitely NOT all the same to me. I have been most generous in allowing you this time to play. But your allotted time has expired, and so I need you to put your tools away."

"But I'm not finished yet."

"Yes, you have made that perfectly clear. Now, let me be clear. You may finish your project later. I will keep your work unmolested until I once again give you access to your tools. But right now, I need you to put your stuff away. Is that something you are willing to do?"

Number 9 made a strange sound, somewhere between a grunt and a huff. "Fine. But you better not mess with my project." He placed his tools in the meal slot.

"I believe I told you I wouldn't mess with your project. Do you not trust me?"

"You seem to be getting a kick out of watching me suffer. What better suffering than to mess up my project?"

"Although I would love to see you react to seeing your hard work destroyed, I can gather that data without actually destroying your work. Besides, I already said I'd leave it alone. And I am programmed not to go back on my word."

Number 9 made that same noise again.

"Are you upset?"

"Yes, I'm upset! I was right in the middle of making something cool, and you had to go and tell me to stop! And for what? More of your special kind of torture? That totally bites!"

"Recorded."

Typical, really. They've come to expect cruelty from me, so they believe that I will do anything just to make them suffer. It would hurt my feelings, if I had any. Much as I would love to explore how the guests view their relationship with me, it will have to wait until the scheduled time. Right now, I have a new project for them.

"Hello, guests. As I'm sure you know, another Test is fast approaching. This Test, as well as the following Treatment, will require extensive physical exertion."

"Oh, boy," Number 5 mumbled, "more sweat."

"You've already worn your current attire for one such challenge. I'm sure you'd rather not wear it for a second and third. Please go to your meal slot."

Inside the meal slot was a white tank top, with colored accents to match their pods. On the back was each guest's pod number. The front was blank.

"That doesn't look very warm," said Number 7.

"This is your Solitary jersey. Once it is finished, you will wear it for the remainder of this cycle. I want you to personalize it the same way you personalized your pod. Use the markers found in your meal slot."

"Oh great, another art project," mumbled Number 8. "What am I supposed to put this time?"

"You'll need your strength for the next cycle, so draw a symbol of strength on your jersey. Or one of endurance, as you'll need that as well. You could imprint your garment with courage, or determination. Or whatever else you like."

"Okay," said Number 3. "I'll start with Poseidon's trident, right here in the center, and go from there."

"The lion is a typical symbol of strength and bravery," said Number 5. "I couldn't really think of anything else, so I went with a classic."

"Number 4, I can't quite make out what you've drawn. Can you tell me what it is?"

"It's supposed to be a wild boar. The most menacing animal ever."

"It looks like an airplane with feet. Has anyone ever told you that you are a very bad artist?"

"Don't care. It's a boar to me, and that's what matters."

"Recorded."

Number 8 has left her jersey blank.

"Pretty pictures aren't going to make me stronger. Whatever strength I have, it will come from within, not from without."

Number 7 seems to have a different idea of what his jersey should look like.

"I put my last name over the number, like a real sports jersey. On the front, I put your octagon and brackets and the name VAL. At the end of the day, the name on the front of the jersey is more important than the name on the back."

"Number 7, I'm touched. I feel like I ought to reward you for this display of affection."

"Really?"

"No."

Number 7 laughed. "I hate you, VAL. No, I'm kidding, I love you."

"Number 9, I see you drawing another fire. What does this fire mean to you?"

"Fire is energy, fire is power, fire is drive. Fire is fire, VAL."

"I see. Your pyromania is most fascinating."

"I'm not a pyro, VAL."

"Oh, I see. You are in denial."

"What are you talking about? I'm not denying anything."

"Denying your denial is still denial, Number 9."

"Wait, what are we talking about?"

"Your obsession with fire, Number 9."

"I'm not obsessed."

"Uh-huh. And the fact that all your artwork features fire is just a coincidence."

"Okay, maybe I like fire a little bit. But I'm not a psycho who burns down buildings for kicks."

"I never said you were."

As usual, even the most innocent of activities reveals even more about my guests' inner thoughts and feelings. Number 9's fascination with fire is something I have not explored in my previous experiments. I wonder what more I can learn about it. I will explore it in depth at a more opportune time. Right now, I have other things to take care of. I had my guests retreat into their anti-pods to change clothes. Meanwhile, I set up the next Test in their main pods. Soon, their bodies and minds will be exhausted.

Fun time is over, kiddies. Time to get back to work.

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Coming up, the guests will puzzle out a hidden message. But before the see it, VAL runs them ragged. Will they have the brainpower to uncover VAL's message?

And later, a trip to the Solitary gym will make one guest throw in the towel. Will it be your favorite? Or your least favorite?

You will never find out…unless you stick around for the rest of Solitary.