“Keep your voice down, Jonah. And yes, by that point, youwerefeeling pleasure, even if it was against your will. I’m only asking you to not hold back.” He scowled at the screen. “Were you using drugs?”
I shifted in my seat. “What?”
He met my eyes. “Are you taking anything?”
That was my chance to screw Bo over, but what would that achieve? He’d only become meaner, and I still wanted what he’d been giving me to counter the pain.
“I don’t do drugs, and I don’t appreciate the accusation.”
He seemed mildly amused by that. “Okay. Do you have any more productive comments?”
I didn’t know where to start with how bad it all seemed. “The cameras.”
“What about them?”
“They were all over the place, and the zoom levels were too aggressive. I already told you how bad the lighting is, but the sound is also muffled most of the time. When you’re shooting in a place with an echo, you need the right equipment, like lavalier microphones. They’re not hard to find.”
He considered my words before nodding. “Those are all valid points. Did you study photography?”
“A bit.” I’d hoped it would give me an advantage, and I loved knowing more about the craftsmanship that went into films.
The Director seemed thoughtful as he watched me. “I’d like for you to help with the productions.”
I frowned, my anger growing. “You mean to help make the other prisoners look better on camera for your sick viewers? Forget it.”
He didn’t seem surprised or affected. “Think it over. You’ve seen that good behavior is rewarded.”
“Will it get me out of here sooner?”
“It won’t,” he said flatly.
“It’s not fair. I didn’t do anything wrong!” The alcohol unmasked my emotions, putting my heart on my sleeve.
“I can be cruel and lie to you, Jonah.”
“Youarecruel. And evil.”
“Perhaps, but we can’t always control our destiny. The best advice that I can give you is to adjust and make the best out of a very bad situation.” He moved to stand. “Thank you for your time.”
“Wait. If I help you, does it mean I’ll have to speak with the others… the others like me?”
“You won’t need to.”
“Then I also want you to stop Bo. He’s a monster.”
He shook his head. “I can’t do that. The Society has an arrangement with its employees, and I can’t intervene unless something drastic is taking place.”
“Something drasticistaking place.”
“Bo is new to this job. He’ll get bored with you eventually—give it some time. Come, I’ll walk you to your room.”
“Can I have more wine? It will help me sleep better.”
“You’ve had enough.” He cleared his throat. “Next time, if you behave, you’ll get more.”
And just like that, I wished to return to his office, into the lion’s den.
I got to my feet and followed him outside, knowing I’d just made a deal with the devil.
