“Ward 32” – Episode 1

When they told you you were headed for the asylum, you had certain expectations. You expected white walls (padded, perhaps), a calm, helpful staff, and (most importantly) some peace and quiet.

You were wrong on all counts.

The armed guards who escorted you through the front doors and into the detention area were perhaps a little rough. You’re not particularly surprised or offended by this, considering what you’ve done to earn it — but when they throw you hard against the cold slate floor you do wish they’d picked a cleaner surface. Covered in the caked-on filth of years, it is abundantly clear that the floor has not been cleaned in some time.

You pry yourself up to your elbows, take a quick look around, and your heart sinks. It seems like the guards did, indeed, pick the cleanest surface to dash you against.

The only things dirtier than your surroundings, however, seem to be your fellow patients. While a few have made some vain attempts at personal hygiene, most have let themselves go — in a big way.

One man across the room playing connect-four is covered in what you at first assume to be open sores. That impression quickly fades, however, as he reaches up to scratch his face and the sores scatter.

Bugs. You hate bugs.

Another man lies in a nearby corner. From the smell, you assume that the rust-colored stains on his uniform are most likely self-inflicted.

One of the less offensive-seeming patients approaches you as your guards leave the ward, slamming the door behind them, and extends his hand.

“Hello,” he says in a thick accent you have trouble placing, “welcome to purgatory. My name is Harold. What’s yours?”

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Joseph Propp – A middle-aged Caucasian man. 5’10 inches tall. Lean build, but not muscular. No facial hair except for two days worth of stubble. A former professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Ariana Westmorland – Twenty-three year old Asian fitness instructor. 5’6″ tall. She is lean, muscular, and has a black belt in Tae Kwan Do. Ariana is also a licensed dietitian.

Vladimir Campbell – Russian-American con artist. Vlad has been in and out of correctional institutions since he was 12 years old. Never one to give you a straight answer. He’s lean, wiry, and has a shifty glance. 5’8″ tall.

Rev. James Foster – James Foster is a former Christian minister. He gave up the cloth for personal reasons a few years back, and ever since has been searching for meaning. Intelligent, but lacking in faith. Slightly overweight, but strong. 5’11” tall.

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Final tally:
Vlad: 22
Arianna: 19
Propp: 6
Foster: 5