Hairspray

IV.IV.II

"These are our gardens," Dr. Hatcher says. "Beautiful aren't they?"

Kimberly taps her fingers against her leg.

"We allow them two hours of outside time a day."

Robin asks, "Can't they just escape?"

"They could. But the vast majority choose to be here. They like it here."

He leads them inside, "This is one of our more popular areas. The listening room. We found that music has a particularly calming effect on the broken mind."

Kimberly mutters quietly, "They aren't broken, just a little different."

"The right song, particularly one which holds some personal meaning, can prove a salient stimulus. But there are those who are beyond a cure."

He leads them downstairs.

"Uh, Dr. Hatch do you think it might be possible for us to speak to Victor alone?" Nancy asks.

He stops, "Alone?"

Kimberly nods, "If we are to be experts ourselves, we have to do it alone. The hard way is always more beneficial."

"I- I think that we would just love the challenge of speaking with Victor without the safety net of an expert such as yourself," Robin adds. "Then we could really rub it in Professor Bradley's face when we get back to campus-"

"Professor Bradley? I don't believe I know a Professor Bradley."

"Brantley," Nancy cuts in. "She meant to say Brantley."

"Didn't I say Brantley? What did I say? Sorry, silly me. Words, letters," Robin chuckles. "Guess I'm just nervous. I mean, excited. So excited to speak with Victor. Preferably as she said, alone?"
Dr. Hatch waits a moment as the three of them smile at him, "Yes. Why not? You've caught me in a rebellious mood."

They all chuckle.

"And there's something rather urgent I need to check on anyway, so... sure." He turns to the security guard, "Keep a close eye on them."

Kimberly slightly furrows her brows, not feeling sure about the doctor.

"Thank you so much, Dr. Hatch," Robin says as he walks past them.

Nancy nods, "Thank you."

Kimberly stares at the man as he leaves the room.

The security guard opens the door and lets them in. He walks ahead of them.

Kimberly grabs Nancy and Robin gently, and whispers, "We need to make this quick. He was acting funny."

"Do you think he knows?" Robin whispers.

"Let's not push our luck, get in, ask what we need to, get out."

The other two nod and they straight up as the guard opens the next door.

"Do not startle him. Do not touch him. Do not pass him anything. Stand five feet away from the bars at all times. Is that clear?" The guard says.

"Yes sir."

"Yes sir."

"Yes sir."

The guard runs his baton over the bars, "Victor. Today's your lucky day! You got visitors. Real pretty ones."

Kimberly glares at the guard.

Victor scratches his nails on the table.

"Must be in one of his moods," the guard shrugs. "Have fun." He walks away.