Virtually Innocent

Immersion

Anthony Canson isn't sure that he agreed to the Virtual Reality Prison Retraining program so much as was told he could consent or be ordered by the judge to participate, and, since he'd already been found guilty of murdering his wife, there was no real freedom of choice for him anymore. It was just a matter of signing the paperwork or risk being labeled a difficult inmate for refusing. Anthony Canson lost whatever little faith that justice would prevail after knowing he was innocent and still losing his case. So, he may have signed those papers, but Anthony is anything but willing.

They have cuffs on Anthony's wrists but it's a formality. He has been complacent since the verdict. While inmates had been giving Anthony a hard time, and were also convinced he committed the crime, the guards acted like they knew he was harmless. They didn't even have their hands on him to guide him because it was common knowledge that he would do what he was told. Anthony was like that before prison, so It's not a defeatist mentality, just his nature.

Because Anthony Canson has always been anything but defiant.

With his head hung low, he is ushered through immaculate halls that smell of cleaning supplies, specifically of isopropyl alcohol. When they arrive at a room which has been set up much like a doctor's office, Anthony finds a full medical staff present, along with a man he'd see on television. Anthony can't remember is name, but he extends his hand and introduces himself as Samuel Bergman. Nodding, he says he remembers seeing him talking about the VRPR program on television. He tries to feign excitement, but it is a task too challenging even for the ever-compliant Anthony.

Samuel Bergman introduces the doctor, the anesthesiologist, and the two nurses - the one who will be assisting for the initial immersion and the nurse who will be monitoring his medical wellness and physical body while in the retraining program. Anthony doesn't bother trying to remember anyone's name except his regular nurse, whose name is Harper, but he expects he'll lose that information once he "goes under," as everyone keeps saying.

Nurses are getting his blood pressure, his height, weight, reviewing his medical history while the anesthesiologist is speaking with the doctor about quantities and ongoing nutrition. They are discussing the catheters, intravenous bags, and body rotation. During this time, Samuel Bergman announces that inmates in the VRPR will need to be moved to avoid blood clotting and muscle atrophy. Samuel explains that the nurses will do some physical therapy activities manually with his body while immersed, as well as moving his body from side to side or on his back. Anthony nods along and listens, remaining silent whenever someone asks if he understands or if he has any questions.

As things are winding down and they've changed him out of his jumpsuit into a long hospital gown, Samuel Bergman offers his hand once more to Anthony. He isn't speaking to Anthony, though, because he looks off into a corner and waves. Anthony frowns and asks quietly.

"Have you been filming the whole time?" a sad harshness rolling off his tongue.

"Of course, Mister Canson. You're the first one undergoing immersion. The people needed to see how safe and practical this program is and why it has been worth their support," Bergman says casually, as if Anthony should have known it was a possibility. Anthony doesn't much care if people has seen him naked, but he does wonder how they would've censored that on television. Or were there new rules about nudity that he didn't know about?

"Of course," Anthony mutters, closing his eyes instead of rolling them.

When Samuel Bergman leaves the room, the doctor shares that the next step is to start attaching all the equipment to him and getting him settled in the bed before attaching the headset. They poke him with needles, check his vitals again, set up drips, get the catheter set, and eventually set a head block beneath him. Once everything is in place, the doctor uses his computer to dial a call out. Soon there is someone on speaker.