*set metprofessor true
It takes me quite a bit of time in order to reach the room of my next class.

Psychology, or so says my schedule, is one of the rooms furthest from the main entrance. As I approach, I begin to see different architecture in the walls and support structures, indicating that I'm entering some sort of extension that had been added after the building's original construction. That fact would indicate that the class of psychology itself is probably also an extension. Which would make sense, considering its status as an elective rather than a core class.

By the time I arrive, the number of students lingering through the hallways has dwindled to a meager handful. If my mental clock is accurate, as it usually is, I still have 32 seconds left before the bell rings. Unless something drastic happens, that should be enough time to open a door and walk through it. I notice before entering, however, the significantly smaller number of students within the classroom as compared to the core classes that I have been going through prior to this.

More concerning than that, however, is the professor. I cannot shake the feeling of...familiarity.

*page_break Next
When I step into the room, I see a classroom that has been decorated for the singular purpose of conveying 'psychology' to the observer. There is no decoration not directly linked to the class, either as a sheet listing key words and phrases necessary for understanding the class or simply relevant images. There is not a single deviation from this pattern.

It feels fabricated.

"${fullname}." The professor calls to me, smiling. Skin tone suggests East Asian descent, most likely Japan. The glint of the light reflecting off his glasses making it difficult to see where he's looking. His voice is calm, not raising or deviating, even as the bell rings in the middle of his sentence. "You're the last one to arrive. Please, take your seat."

I notice the seat he offers to me. It is directly in the front and center of the classroom. Looking across the students, I see that the number of desks and students are exactly the same. Perfectly calculated so as to ensure there would not be a single spare left over once all of us had taken our seats. As well as ensuring that there was nowhere to sit other than this specific chair. Was the placement of the classroom also designed so that I would be the last one to arrive? Perhaps that was assuming too much...but perhaps not.

"Is there a problem?" He asks at my hesitation. His smile has not changed in shape.

"...No problem." It is not my ideal sitting arrangement. It certainly does not place me at peace. But it wouldn't be the first time circumstance had forced me to adapt to uncomfortable situations. I sit down in the chair presented and look ahead at him.

*page_break Next

He begins writing on the chalkboard. Unlike previous classes which, if they had a board at all, typically had some combination of a whiteboard or a digital monitor, this man used ordinary white chalk on a green board. The sound grates as the letters form under his hand, and I can see to my sides that I am not the only one perturbed by the annoyance.

"I am Professor Patel," he says as he turns back to the class. "I will be instructing you on the fundamentals of psychology. Understanding, and implementation." He continues, maintaining the same tone throughout. Friendly and disarming, yet aloof, not giving anything away as to his thought patterns. His words are so steady in their cheeriness that it is impossible to tell whether or not there is any significance to anything he says, or if there is anything that warrants particular attention. "It is my hope that by the end of our time together you will not only have a better understanding of the human mind but also an understanding of those around you and yourself."

"I am a licensed professional in the field, and have over two decades worth of experience that I am sure each of you will be able to learn from." The light glints off his lenses. I cannot see his eyes. "I will also be studying and keeping a close eye on each and every one of you," he continues, "I hope to have an understanding of each of you on an individual level. Toward that end, introductions seem to be in order," he gestures to the student in the front-right seat. "Maddison Undale, could you please take a stand?"

*page_break Next

The female moves to her feet, unsure of herself. There was a brief flicker of surprise when he asked for her by name.

"Why not tell us about yourself, Maddison Undale?"

"Well," she builds up her confidence, speaking clearly so as to be properly heard by the class. "I grew up in this town. South side, near the edges of the city limits. My family owns a factory out there."

"I see. Do you mind telling me what your third hour is?"

She hesitates again at the non-standard question, but does not seem particularly disheartened for more than that brief period. The few students who weren't interested before seem to be much more interested now. "Technology. Advanced technology."

"Impressive," he says evenly. "Certainly more than is required for understanding the family business of factory ownership. Curious, though, this is your third year and yet, every choice of elective prior to your sophomore year had been dedicated toward management. It appears something changed. A shift from your natural path. Would that have anything to do with the accident?"

At this point, she's become annoyed. "Why don't you tell me?"

"I feel it would sound better coming from you," he explains. "Do you mind?"

She seems to think about putting up resistance, but ultimately resigns herself. "No, I don't," she sighs. "Yes, after the accident with my parents, I didn't feel safe in factories anymore. I'm sure you can understand the reasons, if you've done so much studying."

*page_break Next

"Thank you," Professor Patel nods at her, "You may retake your seat." His head moves from left to right as I can only assume he's looking over us. "Can anyone tell me the purpose of this little demonstration?" No reaction. I look at them as well. Remarkably well composed, considering the circumstances. "I had a feeling not," Professor Patel says. "I do apologize Maddison Undale for singling you out to take part in my demonstration, but I identified you as the best candidate for it. You see this might come as a surprise to you, but out of all the students attending this class, you are remarkably the most psychologically stable." She does look surprised, as he predicted. "I imagine that's not a phrase you are used to hearing. But you possess quite the flexible spirit. Rather than shy away from your new course, you decided to simply see where this new path you had been set on would lead, and found a new talent for machines to compliment your new outlook on life. Quite the achievement after a traumatic event."

"In case it is not self-evident by now, none of you chose this class by accident." He continues, "Some of you were forced, either by practicality or urge, to make your way here. Something about the human mind drew you here. Understanding it, and perhaps understanding yourselves. You are a peculiar group in that each and every one of you, to varying degrees, understands exactly what it was Maddison Undale felt in those moments she just described. That moment, when your paths took radical shifts, and the world never felt the same again. Some more than others, but all of you share that unique quality."

"So you see, there is no need to be fearful here." He says. This time I can plainly notice he is looking directly at me. "We're all in the same boat."

*page_break Next

Afterwards, Professor Patel has us all introduce ourselves by name, though there is nothing so dramatic as Maddison Undale's. It seems he was being truthful when he states that she was the only one mentally put together enough to be able to talk so clearly and calmly about her past. She seems unaffected by the retelling, whereas those who followed seemed worried of having to potentially speak about whatever it was that made them so anxious. If anything, she appears more in awe of Professor Patel than any of us.

The bell rings after introductions are taken care of. Before I can leave, however, he speaks once again. "I'll need you to stay behind, ${fullname}." The request goes unnoticed by the class at large as they pile out of the room and onwards with their own schedules. "I hope you do not worry about being late. I have the authority to write you an excuse."

I remain silent. He clearly has a point that he is waiting to make and my silence would expedite that process.

"Of course," he nods. "I suppose introductions are in order. You will identify me as Professor Patel, as I was introduced to the rest of the class. I suppose Agent Daniel Decker didn't inform you of me? Well, no matter. I will be your point of contact whenever you are on school grounds, as well as your supervisor whenever Agent Daniel Decker is indisposed. Now then, I'm sure you have questions."

*temp questions 0
*label questions


*choice
	*disable_reuse #So you work with the agency?
		*set questions +1
		"So you are with the CIA, like Daniel."

		"Not quite like Agent Daniel Decker," he admits. "Our skillsets are quite different. I'm not the search-and-destroy type like him. I'm more of a profiler. I analyze people."

		"Is your name really Professor Patel?"

		His expression doesn't change in the slightest at my question. "Is your name really ${fullname}? People in [i]our[/i] world have little use for such things."

		Funny. [i]He[/i] said something very similar once.
		*goto questions
	*disable_reuse #Have we met?
		*set questions +1
		"You seem familiar," I tell him. "Where have we met before?"

		"You don't remember." He nods, "Not unexpected. I'll refresh your memory for you. I was one of the psychologists brought in to examine your mental state when Agent Daniel Decker first brought you in." He continues with the same even tone. "The third one, I believe."

		"So you helped get me into this school."

		He chuckles softly, "Oh no, I think you have the wrong impression of me." He shakes his head, "My recommendation had been to see what information we could gain from you, then send you to Hell."

		My fist instinctively clenches at his shamelessness. "I see. Fortunately you did not have the final decision."

		"Fortunate for you," he agrees, nodding his head. "I suppose time will tell if it is fortunate for the rest of us." He chuckles and continues on, almost as if remembering something. 
		*if (incidents =0)
			"To your credit, you've managed to keep your nose remarkably clean so far during your stay within these walls. Much better than any of us estimated."
		*if (incidents >0)
			"You haven't exactly maintained the cleanest record, and you've been within these walls for less than five hours. That does cast some serious doubts on the rest of the school year."
		*goto questions

	*disable_reuse #Have you researched [i]every[/i] student in this class?
		*set questions +1
		"Of course," he nods. "This school really is quite curious. In my studies, I've taken brief glimpses of the backgrounds of the student body and discovered that over 70% have been diagnosed with either PTSD or similar traumatic mental illnesses. Quite the statistic, and my evaluation of the principal tells me that it is most likely not accidental. He seems to be deliberately reaching out and fighting for children of these backgrounds to be sent to his school, even those who fall outside his jurisdiction. And with his remarkable talent for background politics, he's been quite effective in that goal."

		"Do you know what his motivation is?"

		"I'm not quite sure," he admits. "I've evaluated him extensively, but I cannot possibly see any gain he has from these actions. His salary and standard of living have actually decreased since he was assigned as principal of this school, and I have not observed him obtaining any other material goods on the side as payment. I'm beginning to suspect he might [i]actually[/i] be a true altruist, though my profile is still under development and I'm not quite comfortable making that far of a leap just yet."
		*goto questions
	*disable_reuse #What can you tell me about Daniel?
		*set questions +1
		"Tell me what you know about Daniel."

		"Ah, Agent Daniel Decker," he laughs. "What a turn his career has taken. He's managed to turn himself into quite the pariah among the community. Your existence has put him in quite a bit of trouble." He seems to ponder for a minute, "In fact, with how quickly things have changed for him in recent developments, I have to wonder if perhaps my analysis of him might be out of date. You seem to be in a better position to learn about him than I am at the moment."

		"You have not answered my question."

		"And I'm not particularly sure that I should. This time around, I think it would be better for me to let you form your own opinion of the man. I can tell you, however, that he burned quite a few bridges to get you in the position you're in. I would suggest you learn why as soon as possible."	
		*goto questions
	*disable_reuse #If you are my point of contact, why did it take so long for us to meet?
		*set questions +1
		"I would have thought that my supervisor during school hours would have introduced himself sooner. Why did you wait so long?"

		"Put simply, I wanted to observe you for a period of time before our first meeting as teacher and student." He chuckles, "The information I've managed to gain has been quite informative. I am very sure that I made the correct choice of action."
		*goto questions
	*disable_reuse #No questions.
		*if (questions =0)
			"Nothing at all?" He seems confused for a moment. The first expression I've seen him make other than condescending cheerfulness. "Nothing gnawing at the edge of your mind that you just have to know?"

			"Nothing at all."

			"Hmm, well then, it seems our visit will be much shorter than expected." And as soon as the confusion has been resolved, he's right back to where he started. "I'll just write you up something to excuse your tardiness to your next class. Now be good," he adds, with a glint in his eye, "Otherwise, you'll be going to Hell."
			*page_break Seventh hour...
			*goto_scene 1-11seventh-1
		*if (questions !=0)
			"Then it seems our business is concluded," he says as he turns away from be and begins writing on a sticky note. "I'll just write you up something to excuse your tardiness and you can be on your way."

			I wordlessly take the sticky note from his hands, eager to leave the classroom as soon as possible. I've had quite enough of his analysis.

			"Before you go," he adds right before I've opened the door, "You should know that I'll be keeping a close eye on your activities for so long as you're here."

			"I assumed."

			"You don't need to be so tart," he grins. "Admittedly, I didn't see much hope for you when you were first brought in and was quite the strong advocate for your termination. But now, I'm content with how things turned out, and quite eager to observe how Agent Daniel Decker's little experiment will carry on." He adds, with a glint in his eye, "It should provide quite the source of interesting data."
			*page_break Seventh hour...
			*goto_scene 1-11seventh-1