Julie Hector was a fresh out of college twenty-two year old woman. She had a double major in English and journalism, with the hopes of being an investigative journalist. Unfortunately, she was having a tough time of it. After school, in the big city, she couldn't afford an apartment and was actually living out of her car, she had so little money that her bank closed out her checking account because of low funds. Both her parents had passed, and she had no siblings, and therefore no one to lean on.
But she had one thing, a lead. And she was going to use it to pull herself out of this dire situation and into employment and possibly fame. A few miles outside of town there was a mental health facility with a sterling reputation for care and treatment. There were also a number of rumors floating around about corruption and sexual harassment. Julie was sure this would be her ticket.
She spent a lot of time at the public library doing all the research should could, and found some pretty concrete evidence. She thought about taking it to a newspaper or even a network, but feared they would just take her story and run with it. She decided that if she could land an interview with the director than she could make the story her own and take it wherever she wanted. She contacted the hospital, and though she never actually spoke to the director, he had agreed to meet with her only after she submitted her resume and a photo.
The day of the interview she went to the library and printed hard copies of all her evidence she kept on a jump drive. When she was done she cleared all the data from the computer in case someone else using it after her was interested in looking into the history, and decided to clear the thumb drive as well, she wasn't sure why but it seemed like a good idea. She went out to the parking lot, where her car was being towed away. One man rigged up her car, with all her possessions, while another handed her a legal document saying the car no longer belonged to her due to lack of payments. They wouldn't listen to her about her stuff, and she stood and watched her car, her things, her whole life get towed away.
She had nothing but her box of evidence and the clothes on her back. Even her wallet with all her ideas, and her month-to-month cell phone were in the car. She went back into the library and asked to use the phone. She called the hospital and spoke the highest up administrator she could, she had to beg and plead with them. She explained about her car, her phone, she even mentioned her bank account and parents just to get some sympathy. She was put on hold for a long time before the receiver picked up again and she was told a car would be sent for her.
Julie waited in the lobby of the library for ninety minutes when a plain black car pulled up and a man came out with a small sign that read, 'Hector.' She almost bounded out of the library in restrained excitement. "I'm Julie Hector!" she said to the man, who replied with silence and open the rear passenger door for her.
In the car, Julie tried to engage the driver in conversation a few times, but he did not reply at all, so she gave up and sat back taking in the scenery of the trip. It took longer than expected as the driver went exactly the speed limit and obeyed all traffic laws and courtesies to the letter. When she arrived at the institution the sun was already setting, and there were no traffic lights or street lamps this far out of the city.
The driver halted the vehicle just outside the door of the building, and hurried out to open her door for her once more. When she got out a woman was waiting for her at the door who hurried her in the building, explaining that most of the non-medical staff had already gone home, and the administrative offices were closed. She was meant to be the director's last appointment, and now was very late. The woman brought her to a large wooden door that was slightly a jar, and told her to enter before walking away.
"Umm, hello?" she asked entering the room. The office was enormous, and at the center was a large desk with a man sitting behind it. The first thing she noticed was how handsome he was, mid-forties maybe, just a touch of grey in his hair. She also took note of his suit, he was dressed very well, and then she was all too aware of what she was wearing. She was going to change into something professional just before she came here, but all of her clothes were taken with her care, and she was so frantic she forgot that detail when she called for a ride. Julie was wearing a white halter top with a thin string tie at the neck with no bra, a black mini skirt, with a black thong, and white low heel pumps, with no stockings.
The man looked up from his paperwork, he had kind eyes and gestured to the seat in front of his desk. "Ms. Hector I presume, please come in, have a seat. I am so glad you were able to make it." Julie sat in the seat, holding her box of evidence. He continued, "I heard you had a bit of trouble getting here, as well as a few other things as well, but the important thing is you're here." He gestured for her to put the box on his desk, and she did as he finished, "but how rude of me to not introduce myself, I am Dr. Michaels." He did not offer a first name.
In all the confusion of the day Julie had completely forgotten why she was here, she was just glad she made it. She took a moment to find herself, and began, "Yes Dr. Michael's, so good to meet you. If you don't mind I have a few questions about your facility." She reached for her notebook and pen resting on top of the box, but before she got to it Dr. Michaels had pulled them all away from her on his side of the desk.
"Oh yes, my assistant had filled me in a bit on why you're here. I understand you have some accusations to throw around?" He asked as he put the box behind his desk, it disappeared from Julie's line of site.
"Um, accusations? Well, no not exactly," she began to stammer. Referencing her things, "I'll need to take that when I go, they're my only copies at the moment." Dr. Michaels smiled at this, but allowed her to continue. "It's just that I came across some peculiar findings, especially regarding some female patients, and..."
He cut her off, "Ms. Hector," his tone was authoritative and somewhat condescending, "I have an M.D. and a PhD in Psychology as well as one women's studies, and I think I know how to manage my own facility, but please if you feel you know how to do it better, enlighten me."
Julie felt about six inches tall at this point. She wasn't dressed for this interview, she wasn't prepared for this interview, but she had to try. "Well, I just came across some findings I wanted to bring to you attention, if I could have my evidence back?"
Dr. Michael's shook his head, "No, I need to hold onto that to review, why don't you give me the highlights?"
She looked down, her eyes were on the verge of watering. "Well, I noticed that in the past three years, since you began as director, not only has the number of female patients increased dramatically, but the population of male patients has dropped to zero. And most of the female nursing staff has been let go, and even some have been admitted as patients on your authority."
