The bottom of the cage was raised slightly, with Shiller's feet securely fastened to a piece of metal embedded within. His movements were restricted, while the straitjacket on his upper body was similarly fastened to the cage's railings with iron chains from both sides.
Generally, such strict restraints would not be used even on the most serious criminals. They may be the perpetrators of bombings, but they remain carbon-based lifeforms - a part of the human race incapable of contending with steel.
However, Davis knew that this prison was not as simple as it seemed. The Federal Bureau of Investigation had decided to commission it ahead of schedule, specifically for unique, high-risk convicts like Shiller against whom conventional restraints might prove ineffective.
As far as Davis knew, at least a dozen targets like Shiller existed. The ultimate objective of this prison was not to jail them till they grew old and died nonetheless. Rather, it was envisaged that they could contribute to the Federation's security in unconventional ways.
The elevator stopped slowly. Davis led the way, closely followed by the escorts and the cage containing Shiller. As they moved through the dark corridor, the cage progressed between the plethora of doors in the prison, akin to a time-travelling locomotive.
Davis halted before a door at the end of the corridor. The cell door was seamlessly aligned with it. An escort equipped his rifle, pointing it directly at Shiller's skull. He sternly instructed, "Do not move your head. Look straight ahead. Remain completely still until I tell you to move. Otherwise, we will shoot."
Shiller did not respond, standing silently in place. Davis navigated to the rear of the cage, crouched down, and input a password into the lock, then pushed a button.
The escorts pulled the metal shackles, granting Shiller's feet a bit of freedom of movement. One of the escorts directed sternly, "Lift your foot and step onto the step."
Shiller did so, standing on the metal steps, one foot at a time. Following that, the chains securing the straitjacket to the bars were released. The guard behind Shiller then said, "I am going to unzip your straitjacket. No sudden moves, or we will shoot."
As soon as he finished speaking, one of the escorts pointed a gun at Shiller's head while the other slipped his hand through the bars to unzip the straitjacket from behind.
With weighty chains hanging naturally from its sleeves, the straitjacket fell off Shiller once the zipper was undone, revealing his prison uniform beneath.
"Put on the handcuffs hanging in front of you immediately."
Looking up, Shiller saw a pair of handcuffs hanging just within his reach at the top of the room's door frame. He extended his arms, took down the handcuffs, and fastened them onto his wrists.
"Now, step into the room, turn around to face us, and raise your hands above your head," the escort again instructed.
Shiller stepped out of the cage, crossed the threshold into the room. His bare feet touched the room's floor, which was warm, clearly having been insulated.
Shiller then walked some distance and turned around, his eyes beneath the mask meeting Davis who stood at the door. One of the escorts turned and walked to a remote location, from where he remotely operated the cell door, gradually lowering it.
Once the prison door was shut, the room became completely sealed off. Devoid of windows, it was a can of confinement through which no light or air could pass.
The prison cell was decidedly not spacious, hardly measuring four square meters. The bed was only 1.2 meters long. It was more of a slightly wider chair than a bed. Just in front of the bed was a narrow passage leading to the door, and nothing else.
This cell was akin to a train's second-class seat. The convict was given enough space for a chair to sit and a little legroom before it.
Compared to a second-class seat, the only advantage was the high ceiling, with almost four meters separating the ground from it. The cell rather resembled a deep well.
Moreover, this design wasn't for spatial reasons, but for the oxygen supply system, monitoring apparatus, and speakers affixed to the ceiling to prevent the inmates from being able to tamper with them.
No sooner had Shiller sat down on the edge of the bed than Davis's voice resounded from the speaker above his head.
"Good evening, Professor Rodriguez," began Davis, in a slightly upbeat tone, much like a skilled radio host.
"I presume you've realized by now that your mask is not only to prevent biting, but also to immobilize your jaw from articulating speech."
"We understand very well the lethality of a psychologist's eloquent words. Unfortunately, you have to remain silent during your sentence unless we permit you to speak."
Shiller looked up at the ceiling. Davis, observing his expression via the security cameras, spotted a glimmer of innocence in his focused gaze. However, instead of being assuaged, Davis was seized by a chill crawling up his spine.
"Professor Shiller, you should not worry anymore about whether you will be released before your sentence ends. The answer is already self-evident. "
"But most importantly, these strict surveillance measures aren't just for preventing your liberty. Beyond restricting you, they are also a form of protection."
"For our subsequent conversations to be more enjoyable, I will first demonstrate our sincerity," said Davis, with a slight rise in tone.
"When you disembarked from the vehicle, you would have seen that William Denchette and I came here together. However, unlike me who arrived to assure your safety, he is after your life."
"To express our sincerity, I agreed to his request to conduct your first mental assessment upon entering prison. I hope this offering builds a foundation for our future, fruitful cooperation."
"Of course, I know that you would not be so foolish as to commit murder in a heavily surveilled prison, thereby extending your sentence. However, we will offer you a small favor."
"For the next week, you will be confined to this isolated cell. Facing extreme sensory deprivation, you will contemplate and repent for the crimes you have committed."
"Meanwhile, nurturing your desire for madness in this solitude and darkness, prepare a bloody feast for your prey."