Josh sat in the unremarkable waiting area, nervously jiggling his leg. In his hand, a clipboard with a signed consent sheet, the second one he had filled out - they wanted to be completely sure that he was up for what he had signed up for. And, understandably so - it was especially niche.
He was in his late twenties - short black hair and green eyes. Not the type to go to the gym, but also not overweight.
One particular aspect was that he was to undergo the experience with a stranger of the opposite sex. This had led to quite a long waiting time, whilst they found another participant in the scenario in question - over a year, in fact. However, one day he finally received an email letting him know that this requirement had been fulfilled and requesting he confirm the dates on which he would be available, so they could arrange a time where they are both available.
The production values were high. The company running the production was extremely well funded and highly skilled in creating a fully immersive, but safe experience. Given the amount he paid, he hoped they lived up to the expectation. Certainly, it was not the kind of experience he would want in real life ... and he felt bad for the people who had to undergo it without consent, or safety measures. But, this was his fantasy.
A man in shorts, a t-shirt and a radio headset walked into the waiting area. He explained that the experience was about to start, and he and the other participant would be brought to the first area shortly.
The briefing pack explained the mechanism for emergency exit. Second, whenever the cast or participants needed to break from the scenario, a blue light would be shown around the room. The cast or the participants could turn this light on, using blue buttons that would be within a hands reach. And, in any case that mechanism wasn't available, he were to say "blue", to have the same effect. The man in the shorts reiterated this, to be completely sure that it was understood. He even had one of the buttons on hand to show Josh what they looked like.
This reassured Josh, although, he was still a little nervous. Why did they need so many ways of escaping the scenario?
They both exited the waiting room, and went into another room - this one completely plain, with black walls, an unsealed concrete floor, and two fold out chairs. They asked him to sit down, and put on the blindfold and wait - and that he may be a little while.
As the world went dark, he had a shiver run through him. This was the most exciting thing he had ever done.
* * * * *
Maria had butterflies in her stomach. Confirming the consent checklist again, she was reminded again what kind of a crazy scenario she had signed up for. It was a dream and a nightmare at the same time, and her number one fantasy. Although, she'd never admit it to anyone, not even a partner, normally.
She sat tousling her curly, voluminous light brown hair, her brown eyes gazing into space in the waiting room, imaging what might come next. She bit her lip. She was quite tall, for a girl - almost 5 foot 11 inches - and was often the subject of ridicule. Which she didn't fully understand why this was worthy of such treatment, but was weirdly turned on by people degrading her for a physical feature she had no control over.
All of the forms they filled assured them that through their experience they would not sustain any permanent injury. She was reassured by this, as they obviously have spent a lot of time making the scenario as intense as possible without damaging their participants.
The man with the radio came in to collect her - reading all of the information required, before asking her to join her fellow participant in the room adjacent and put on the blindfold.
As she glanced her fellow participant for the first time, sitting there blindfolded, her heart skipped a beat. This was really happening, and she couldn't wait.
* * * * *
As they both sat, blindfolded in the second waiting area, a woman addressed them.
"Thank you for participating, this is your formal notice that from this point, the scenario is in progress. You've both been briefed on how to escape it if necessary, but I hope that that's not required as we have tailored your experience to bring you to the very edge of your tolerances. The next time you'll hear when you reach the end of your scenario, when I'll say the safe word three times to let you know the scenario has ended."
The woman exited the room.