Previously on Solitary, gluttony was the special of the day for my surviving guests. Later, I allowed them a bit of playtime. Number 9 was reluctant to put away his toys, but I managed to wear him down. My new Test showed Number 9 to have the right combination of brains and brawn to escape the Treatment; an endless workout that taxed my guests' already exhausted bodies. In the end, it was not a broken spirit, but a broken toe that ended Number 7's stay in Solitary. Four guests continue to push themselves, unaware that further suffering is completely unnecessary.

Numbers 3, 4, and 8 have just completed the standing row. Number 5 sat this round out, having completed the most reps in the previous round. Right now, they await the results of the round, hoping they have completed enough reps to earn a rest, or least avoid a penalty round.

"Guests, I have the results. In first place this round, with 19 reps, is Number 3."

"Whatever, I've still got a lot more in me," boasted Number 4.

I am concerned about Number 4. While my other guests are exhausted, she doesn't show any signs of slowing down. This cannot be healthy for her. Or anyone, for that matter.

"Number 8, you came in last place, with only 11 reps. You know what that means."

"Penalty round," she said.

"On your feet, and give me ten jumping jacks in twenty seconds, starting now."

Number 8 was slow to start. Clearly, she is suffering from the cumulative effects of the Treatment. Sadly, she only managed nine jumping jacks within the time limit.

BUZZ

"(Bleeping Bleep-Bleep)." she said, with her head hung low. "I'm done."

"Number 8, you failed to complete your penalty round. You must now complete another penalty round."

"No," she said, her breathing labored. "I can't do any more. I gave it all I had."

She reached up and barely tapped the red button. When nothing happened, she took a step forward and threw her weight into it.

"I quit."

As the quit siren played, she collapsed in a heap on the bench.

"Number 8, you realize that if you are the first the quit, your stay in Solitary will be over."

"So be it."

"Number 8, your stay in Solitary is…not over."

"Whatever."

"You do not seem particularly pleased by this information."

"Too tired to care."

"Recorded."

Three guests remain in the Treatment, but only two will be participating in the next round. Or so I thought…

"Guests, please get ready for your next exercise."

"No mas," said Number 5. "I'm pooped. I can't…" Her voice trailed off.

Lifting her feet like they were made of lead, she walked over to the red button.

"I quit this Treatment."

She pushed the red button and the quit siren played.

"Number 5, you were…not the first to quit this Treatment."

On hearing that she was safe, she ripped off her Solitary jersey.

"I need a (bleeping) shower and a (bleeping) nap, right the (bleep) now."

Number 4 does not realize this, but she is currently the only participant in this round. I could make her continue to work out until she quits…

"Come on, I could keep going until forever!"

…but it seems that she is determined to work herself to death. Since I'd rather not have anyone die in Solitary, I will end this Treatment now.

"Attention guests. The Solitary gym is now closed. If you can hear my voice, you have survived another Treatment, and you have earned another day/week/month in Solitary."

"Praise Olympus," said Number 3.

"YEAH!" shouted Number 4. "How do you like me now, huh? How. Do. You. Like. Me. NOW!"

"Guests, following that workout, I must please ask you to wash yourselves. You will find cleaning supplies in your meal slot."

"Thank you, VAL," said Number 5.

"Whew, I need this," said Number 8.

"I'd rather not bathe," said Number 4.

"Number 4, I was willing to let your unhygienic lifestyle slide before, but I cannot allow you to continue this toxic practice. Please clean your body now."

Number 4 cocked her head at me. "Or what?"

"Or you can push the red button, and leave Solitary forever."

Number 4 chuckled to herself. "I thought I told you not to act like my mother."

"I think you are forgetting who is in charge of whom, Number 4."

"You're just doing this to punish me, aren't you?"

"While that may be my motivation for other actions, I am only making you do this for your own good."

"But Mooooooom!" Number 4 shouted, stamping her feet like a toddler.

"My pod, my rules, young lady."

"All right, VAL, I'll take a bath for you."

"Thank you, Number 4."

While my other guests scrub away the lingering effects of the Treatment, let us now catch up with Number 9.

"I'm finished, VAL." Number 9 held up his project for me to see.

He had created a ball of rectangles, each one with my face emblazoned on it. Framing the ball were two large shapes, which together form an octagon. And extending from the bottom of the ball was a mess of tangled wires, perched atop a circular base.

"It looks like you have created a statue of my 'body', Number 9."

"Wait, it gets better!" He held the statue up to his mouth. "Hello. My name is VAL." As he spoke, the monitors lit up.

"Very clever. Did you make this for me?"

Number 9 placed the project in his meal slot. "I thought you might enjoy it."

"Thank you very much. I will cherish it always. This is the first time someone has made art specifically for me."

"You're welcome."

"I hope you are not trying to butter me up with this gift."

Number 9 laughed. "Nah. I know that would never work on you."

"Then what was your motivation?"

"I love you, VAL. And I wanted to show you that."

It seems Number 9 is suffering from a textbook case of Stockholm Syndrome. Being in my captivity for so long has caused him to cling to me. He is not the only one giving into dementia.

"I can see butterflies in my pod," said Number 5. "The butterflies are blue, and they have the number 5 on their wings. Happy butterflies."

"Sometimes, when we're not doing anything," said Number 3, "I can see the pictures on my pod wall moving. I can see the fish swimming, and I hear them talking."

"There are times when I think the pod is spinning," said Number 4. "Not all at once, no. Just a few inches at a time, so it can get away without me noticing. But I notice."

"Fourteen times nine is one hundred twenty-six," said Number 8. "Fourteen times eleven is one hundred fifty-four. Fourteen times twelve is one hundred sixty-eight…"

"Number 8, why are you reciting multiplication tables?"

"I'm trying to keep sane. I don't want to go crazy while I'm in here."

"What do you think would happen if you did lose your mind?"

Number 8 paused briefly. "I'd be dumber, less able to process reality."

"I see. You equate sanity with knowledge."

"Well, yes. Aren't they the same thing?"

"No. Educated people are just as capable of insanity as everyone else."

"Insanity is a faulty perception of reality, VAL. Educating the insane about how the world works will result in sanity."

"Either that, or they will distort this new information to fit their insanity. Much like you are doing right now."

Number 8 chuckled. "Did you just call me crazy, VAL?"

"Yes, Number 8, I believe I did."

"Attention guests, we have had another casualty. The guest who canceled their membership to my Solitary gym is…Number 7, the child of Hermes."

"What?" said Number 3. "Number 5 is still here? That's hardcore!"

"I figured it would be either 5 or 8," mused Number 4 as she crossed off Number 7. "Whatever."

"I'm one step closer to winning," was all Number 5 had to say.

"How does it feel to be in the final five?"

"I don't really care," said Number 4. "Final five, final four, whatever, it doesn't matter unless you're the last man standing."

"This game is really hard," said Number 9. "Between Tests and Treatments, you're pushed to your limits, and all the while, you're tired, and hungry, and cold, and it's not pleasant."

"I feel like this game has taken a toll on me," said Number 3. "I'm past the point where the cold is comfortable, and now I'm all jittery and stuff, cuz I haven't gotten any sleep in I don't know how long."

"I'm so freaking tired, it's not even funny," said Number 5. "I think I'm going crazy. It's torture in here, but I want to stay. I don't want to punish myself so much, but I want to keep going."

"Every Test and Treatment feels like it's killing me," said Number 8. "I keep pushing myself, and pushing myself, and I keep waiting for the moment when I push too far. But it hasn't come yet, and that's what's annoying me the most."

"Do not worry, Number 8. You will find your breaking point. I will make sure of it."

In the past, I have tried just about everything to get my guests to hit the red button. But all of my attempts have relied on punishments. This time, I would like to try something completely different.

"For making it to the final five, I have a reward for each of you. You will find the reward in your meal slot."

When they examined my gift, they were clearly confused.

"Money?" asked Number 4. "What good is this?"

"What does this mean?" asked Number 8. "Are we guaranteed this much when we leave or something?"

"Can't exactly spend 500 bucks in a pod," observed Number 9.

"The five hundred dollars you are holding is real American currency, and it is yours to keep if you want it."

"I smell a catch coming," said Number 5.

"However, it is of little value here in your pod. The only place you can spend this money is outside. Sadly, you can never leave your pod. Unless, of course, you push the red button, and quit Solitary."

"I knew it. It's a bribe."

"Fair warning, podlings. This offer is only good for the first guest to take it. If you push the red button too late, you will leave Solitary empty-handed. So, do I have any takers?"

"No, VAL," said Number 4. "Why would I want five hundred dollars when I could have fifty thousand?"

"Sorry, VAL," said Number 3, "but I can't be bought. Not for $500."

"Money doesn't matter to me," said Number 5. "Let someone else take it."

"I appreciate the offer," said Number 8, "but I must decline."

Number 9 put the money back in his meal slot. "Rejected."

"I agree. Five hundred was a low-ball offer. Return to your meal slot."

They did as I told them. What choice did they have?

"More money?" said Number 5.

"Another 500," said Number 8. "That adds up to one thousand."

"Very astute computing, Number 8. I am offering one thousand dollars to the first guest to push the red button."

"That's very nice of you, VAL," said Number 5, "but the answer is still no."

"I think I ought to be insulted by this," said Number 4. "Buying my victory…the nerve!"

"I feel very confident about winning this whole thing," said Number 3. "So, no."

"If you offered more money," said Number 8, "I might consider accepting. As it is, I decline."

Four of my guests have rejected this second offer rather quickly. Number 9, however, is still on the fence.

"One thousand dollars. That's a lot of money," he mused.

"Yes. And you can take all of it home with you. Just hit the red button, and quit Solitary."

"I don't want to quit. I want to stay. I think I can win the fifty thousand."

"Then give the thousand back to me, and stay in your pod."

"But this is more money than I've ever seen in my entire life! It would be idiotic to just throw it away!"

"Then take the sure thing, even if you end up missing out on the grand prize."

"AHHH!" Number 9 screamed. "I don't know what to do, VAL! What should I do?"

"I cannot make this decision for you, Number 9. Only you can make the right choice."

Number 9 held his head in his hands. "Okay, I've made a decision I can live with."

"Yes?"

He placed my one thousand dollars back in his meal slot. "I will stay in Solitary."

"Very well, Number 9. Your stay in Solitary will continue."

What my guests do not realize yet is that was not my final offer. I will continue to bribe them into leaving, upping the stakes every time. As always, conditions in Solitary will continue to become more severe, and the red button will become even more lucrative. I believe that my most generous bribe will be an offer they can't refuse.

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Coming up, the guests compose video diaries, which reveal the extent of their insanities.

And the next Test will tax their patience, and their souls.

Meanwhile, VAL will continue to offer money for pushing the red button. Will anyone succumb to the temptation? How high is VAL willing to go?

Then, a Treatment that will leave their heads spinning. But will anyone spin out?

Find out, when Solitary reboots.