Many of us are afraid of going to the dentist's office.
In the Gutter, it's the dentists who fear the dentist.
In the Gutter, it's the dentists who fear the dentist.
The Medium is the Message by Beau Johnson
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I’ve lined them up, positioning them five
feet apart as I go. As I am far from
what you’d call strong, this took some doing, but once we find ourselves at the
end I’m confident the message I’m trying to send will be clear to the audience
it seeks.
My name is Neena Koufax. I do this of my own free will.
The medium I have chosen for today is a
unique one. I don’t want to spoil any of
the mechanics involved, not quite yet, so instead I’ll just say the situation
Caldeen University has come to be in is unique as well, so in the spirit of
calling a spade a spade, I believe we’ll label things a wash.
Long story short: 14 Caldeen University dental students are
accused of participating in a Facebook group which joked about drugging and
then raping their classmates. An external
investigation is launched as complaints arise in regards to the University’s
bungling of its own initial investigation.
One step better: the University refuses to identify the students it suspends. By suspend they refer to clinical practice as
opposed to classroom.
Bullshit, all of it, and only because
I’m living proof.
“You wanna come by tonight? Bring Rhonda if you can.” That was how it began, there with an
invite. Rhonda couldn’t go though, and
eventually it had been me and three other third year students who showed up the
time it happened to me. The gas they
used was the stuff from class; the stuff we would eventually use on the
patients we would come to care for. The
only caring going on the night before I woke up a changed woman was of the
selfish kind.
These are evil men you have before you;
vulgar. Every goddamn one.
Complaints filed, investigation begun,
I feel defeated, demoralized, as though everything is slipping away; that the men
who raped me and posted about it “in jest” are being allowed to continue their
education even though they laugh as if destroying me wasn’t a big thing. Only when the University herds them together
does my mind turn to a more basic mode, a baser level.
You know what? I believe I need to pause here for a moment,
for me to just let you in on some things before we continue on. I won’t take too long here, not if I can help
it. Before switching to dentistry I was
in it for the glory is what I want to tell you all: surgeon all the way. Things change though, plans are adapted, and
sometimes you just fall in love with something more than you ever thought
possible. Know what I mean? This is how I came to Caldeen University. The background I give is for later in the
show, before the plunge, when you might require knowledge as to how I’ve kept
them alive for as long as I have. Just a
heads up is what I guess this is then, that and nothing more.
I realize I won’t be getting away with
this either, but really, this is not the point I’m trying to make. What is, is this: there are consequences to
our actions. Always has been, always
will be. Some will get away with
things. Others will not. It’s the way this world of ours works. Perhaps things need to change then, yes? And that’s where this began; when that little
voice inside my head decided to take a trip.
I understood that if I didn’t stand up for myself they would never get
what they deserved. Oh they’d get
something alright, a little bit for sure, but would it be just when compared to
what each of them put all nine of us through?
No is the answer you’re looking for.
And if you can’t find it in yourself to think
this way then God have mercy you never run into someone like me.
Oh, you hear that? Someone’s waking up! C’mon, let’s go see. Lots of stairs, I know, but at least the room
has remained secure. I filled it with the
same gas they used on me; put it out slow as class was being taught. Professor Burston has been affected by this as
well and you can see him over there, asleep behind his desk. Just so we’re clear, he has not been harmed
in the making of this.
Okay.
Almost there. As I’ve said, once
I realized where they had been placed and that all of them would be together at
the same time is when the shit got real.
I mean, let’s face it---it was like a dream come true. One born of a nightmare, sure, but you get
what I’m saying. Once I saw the place…I
mean, look at it! How high up they are, how
circular it is, each of them leaning down from the guard rail they’ve been
tethered to. And that the room is
technically a circle is a boon unto itself, each position channeled back
towards my live feed at the center. Refurbished,
it’s an old school teaching space, one the University takes pride in, full of staggered
seating and standing room only around the top.
This is a good thing. No, it’s more than a good thing---it’s apt. You know why?
Because it’s old school justice I’m about to hand out.
Oh, it’s Jackson! And of course it is! Hey there, bud. A little groggy are you? Yeah, s’to be expected. No, no, don’t try and pull yourself
free. Not till you take a good look at
what I’ve used to tie you to the rail. Look down, c’mon, don’t be such a sorry
sport! Didn’t stop you when you had me
down, did it? “Hate sex” is what you
call it, no? What you posted? You also say the penis is a tool for men to
teach women all they need to know. Those
were your words, weren’t they? The ones
I’m pulling up now? I know. I know.
The tape is rather tight but
just go ahead and give us a nod then.
There, see, not so bad. No smiles
now though, eh? Not for this camera,
no. For the others sure, yeah, why not,
no one is going to really do anything about a bunch of girls who can’t even
remember the night in question, are they?
That was another one of yours I think.
Or maybe that was Mark. What say
you, Mark? Yes, Mark, I know you’re
awake. We all do; there is a camera
pointed at each of you. I imagine we’re ready
then? No one needs an explanation as to
why we are here, do they? Fellas, c’mon! Tears, really? I mean, really-truly? Okay.
Okay. Since this whole thing
began with a question I’ll end it with one: within the abdominal cavity of the
average male how much intestine do you think he carries? Anyone?
The small intestine is about 20 feet in length and the large is 5. Since I’m using both we’ll add them together. 25 feet times 14 of you is…okay…let’s see,
carry the one. Wow! That’s 350 feet of you! Or as I like to say: 105 meters of hanging
entrails in response to the penetration of 9 women who never gave consent. It equals what the boys and girls at home have
already figured out. What? Some of you fellas still look confused. Fine.
I can take care of that. You
ready then? Okay. Here goes.
Contrary to what people believe, it’s the
destination that things are about, not the journey. Two, it will be the large intestine going
first. And third? Well third is what this exercise has been
about; what your penises have gone and taught.
Safe travels, boys. Enjoy the fucking trip.
