The Experiment - Day 1

The sun was already setting as Julie arrived in the new town, casting a golden hue over the unfamiliar streets. She clutched her purse tightly, held the suitcase in the other hand and took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. She put on the professional façade she used to wear every day at work and instead of an anxious little girly a tall, elegant woman stepped confidently into the hotel lobby, her blonde hair shimmering under the chandelier light.

"Excuse me, miss?" a smooth voice called from behind her. Startled, Julie turned around to see a man approaching her with a friendly smile. He was tall and muscular, with dark hair that framed his handsome face perfectly. His eyes were a dark brown, filled with a sense of confidence and charm that put Julie slightly at ease. "You must be Julie Wilson. I'm Mark Nichols, working here for the Institute," he said, extending his hand for her to shake.

"Hi, nice to meet you," Julie replied tentatively, shaking his hand. As much as she tried to suppress her anxious thoughts, they kept bubbling to the surface. What am I doing here? she thought, feeling the familiar weight of her usual stressors bearing down on her. Stop it, you think this is going to help?

Mark seemed to sense her unease and offered her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Julie. I'm your counsellor and I'll guide you every step of the way," he promised, his eyes sparkling with sincerity. Her curiosity piqued, Julie couldn't help but feel drawn to him despite her nervousness.

"Let me show you the way. So, on behalf of the Institute, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude for your participation in this experiment, Julie," Mark said warmly, guiding her further into the luxurious hotel lobby. "As I mentioned, I will be your guide throughout this entire process. My job is to support you and help you navigate the challenges that come with it. We will be meeting daily and if any issues occur, I'll be available to assist you."

Julie hesitated, biting her lower lip as she mulled over his words. While she never liked visiting her shrink, she had been feeling quite overwhelmed lately, juggling her roles as a caring mother, loving wife, and dedicated professional. This experimental retreat promised relief from the stress, but she couldn't help fearing the unknown.

"Thanks, Mark," she replied, forcing a smile. "I must admit, I'm a bit hesitant about all of… this." She gestured vaguely at the hotel surroundings, her eyes betraying her vulnerability.

"Your feelings are completely understandable," Mark assured her, his tone imbued with empathy. "Many participants have felt the same way initially, but I promise you'll see the benefits soon enough."

"Alright," Julie whispered, her curiosity winning over her initial . What kinds of benefits does he have in mind, beside the financial one? she thought.

"Great! We're almost there," Mark said, leading her toward the exclusive area of the hotel. As they walked, Julie's platinum hair swayed with each step, her anxious eyes flitting around the opulent space, absorbing its grandeur.

"Here we are," Mark announced, opening a door to reveal a lavish suite, designated specifically for the experiment. Julie followed him in, her heart racing with anticipation and trepidation.

"Wow, this is… something else," she murmured under her breath, unable to contain her awe. Mark chuckled, watching as Julie took in every detail of the hotel suite, her curiosity and intrigue growing by the second.

Her "room" was a embodiment of luxury in a mix of a classical style and modernity, with dark grey walls adorned with sparkling crystal chandeliers. Plush velvet curtains framed the floor-to-ceiling windows, boasting a breathtaking view of the city skyline. The furnishings were sleek and modern, with a four-poster bed draped in silky white sheets, a deep red couch, together with an intricately designed desk and an elegant vanity. In one corner there was a tall mirror that sort of stood out.

"Take your time to explore, Julie," Mark encouraged, giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Remember, I'm here to support you every step of the way. I'll be back in half an hour, make yourself comfortable."

"Thank you, Mark," Julie replied, her voice soft but grateful.

As she looked around the suite, a surge of optimism flooded her. The luxurious decor and the prospect of being free from her daily struggles filled her with determination to face whatever obstacles lay ahead.

---

"Please, have a seat," Mark gestured toward the plush couch in the center of the suite. Julie hesitated for a moment, then sank into the cushions, her slender legs crossed at the ankle. Mark pulled up a chair opposite her, his piercing gaze never leaving her face.

"Alright, Julie, let's discuss the terms of the experiment," he began, watching as she leaned forward, her curiosity evident in her wide eyes as they darted across the copy of the contract in her hands. "For the duration of this study, you will be confined to this hotel suite, with one hour of daily leave permitted.

We will require you to surrender all of your personal belongings, such as your phone and wallet. In exchange, we will provide you with a bank card that can be used within reasonable limits for anything you may need during your stay. The hotel will supply all meals, and I assure you, they are of exceptional quality. You can trust me on that. Now, your sole responsibility here is quite simple: smoke cigarettes."

Julie gave a nod, signaling for him to continue and elaborate on the most challenging aspect of it all.

"Each day, you'll be required to smoke one more cigarette than the day before," Mark continued, his voice steady and calm. "Today, you'll start with just one, but by the end of the week, you'll be up to seven. Following this routine, at the end of the experiment you'll be basically on a pack and a half daily. Keep in mind that this is the minimum quantity; you can always smoke more, if you desire so for some reason. "

Julie's heart raced in her chest, her palms growing clammy. She fought the urge to fidget as conflicting emotions swirled within her. The thought of smoking so many cigarettes sounded and repulsive.

"30 cigarettes... in one day?" she asked, her voice wavering. "I've never smoked before. How will I manage?"

Mark smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Julie. I'll guide you through each step. The goal is to gradually acclimate you to the act of smoking, allowing your body and mind to adapt to the sensations and effects. I'm confident you'll adjust quickly. While we already have your current medical records, you'll have to go under detailed medical analysis and testing on your last day. Once these are completed, you will be able to return home. Your compensation of 100.000 will be deposited into your account on the same day of completion."

Her stomach churned as she weighed her options. On one hand, the idea of willingly inhaling toxic smoke made her want to bolt for the door. On the other, there were 100.000 reasons to endure this test. And as she looked around the luxurious suite, she couldn't help but imagine the freedom she might find within its walls.

"Is there any way I can quit if it becomes too much?" Julie asked cautiously, blue eyes searching Mark's face for reassurance.

"Of course," he replied, his tone gentle and understanding. "You have complete control over your participation in this experiment. If at any point you feel it's too much, simply say the word, and we'll end the study immediately. All the hotel costs would be covered by us in that case, however, you'd receive no compensation."

Julie took a deep breath, her mind racing as she considered her options. The thought of smoking was terrifying, leaving her caught between her repulsion and her desire for solving their financial issues. Plus, she felt that she needed some time off for herself. As she skimmed through the contract she noticed one detail that kept bugging her, though.

"You mentioned that I will have to give up my personal belongings, including my phone. So how will I be able to communicate with my family then?" She asked.

"Well, this is another condition," Mark replied. His gaze grew serious, his eyes reflecting the harsh truth he was about to reveal. Julie sat still, her heart pounding against her ribcage in anticipation.

"No contact with your family or friends for the duration of the research," he said. The words hung heavily in the room, resounding with an intensity that made Julie's heart constrict painfully. She looked at Mark, her wide blue eyes filling with disbelief.

"Excuse me? You want me to cut off communication with my family?" Julie asked incredulously, her voice shaking slightly. It was one thing to agree to smoke cigarettes; it was another entirely to isolate herself from all those she held dear.

"I understand it's a lot to ask," Mark said, maintaining his calm demeanor despite the storm raging in Julie's eyes. "But complete isolation is crucial for the integrity of the experiment." He paused, giving her time to digest this new information.

"But why?" Julie demanded, muscles tensed in her shoulders. "Why cut out my family? My kids and my husband? What, do you think they might interfere with me smoking or something?"

Mark's face softened a bit at her questions, and he shook his head gently. "No, it's not like that." He paused for a moment, his eyes filtering the room as if searching for the most suitable words to go on with.

"It's about the scientific approach of this study, Julie," Mark finally said, his tone serene despite the gravity of his words. "You see, our minds are greatly influenced by our surroundings and social interactions. These influences can subconsciously shape our reactions to new experiences and environments. By separating you from your familiar settings and relationships, we intend to create a neutral environment where your experiences with smoking cigarettes can be observed without any external bias."

Julie's brow furrowed, her mind attempting to decipher the layered complexities of Mark's explanation. His reasons made sense in an abstract way, but she didn't like it one bit.

"So I can't contact my husband and kids at all for an entire month?" Julie fumed in disbelief.

"You are allowed to send a short text to your husband each week, informing him of your status, but nothing else. I'm sorry, but that's non-negotiable. You can call them now and inform them of this condition, however," Mark explained.

Julie sat back into the plush ivory armchair, her fingers gnarled as they gripped its textured edges. She stared at Mark for a long moment, her anger simmering into a quiet resolution. If she had been informed of this condition beforehand, she would've rejected participating in it. But she was already here now and she never liked admitting defeat.

"Fine," she said, biting the word out like a bitter pill. "Give me a minute, please."

Mark courteously left the room as she called George, her heart pounding. The tone rang until George's bright voice interrupted it.

"Hey honey, are you there yet?"

His cheerfulness struck a chord with Julie. She struggled to speak through the overwhelming emotions in her throat.

"George," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm here, everything is fine. The hotel is amazing and I've already been informed about everything. I'll basically have to smoke a few cigarettes a day and that's it. But... uhm..."

"But what? So far that sounded... reasonable. What's going on?" The jollity in his voice faltered, replaced by an undercurrent of concern that Julie could hear even through the static on the line.

"I won't be able to talk to you or the kids this whole month."

There was a tense pause, so heavy it could have crushed the life out of the conversation. Then George's voice came back sounding tighter, "What? But why...that doesn't make any sense."

"Apparently, it's part of the experiment. Something about removing outside influence to create a truly neutral environment." Julie replied softly, her voice barely steady. "They’ll let me text once a week to check-in..."

"But not speak with me? Or our kids?" George cut in, disbelief ringing clear in his tone. "They’re going to miss you, Jules."

"And I'm going to go crazy without you all," she confessed, her voice breaking on the last syllable and her heart felt like it was being torn apart. "But it's too late now; I've already agreed. Remember, it's $100.000 we're talking about, and we need that money."

The silence that followed was deafening, humming over the line like an ominous drone.

Finally, George sighed heavily. "Alright. We'll manage somehow. I... I admire you for what you're willing to do for our family. It really sucks though... I can't believe I won't be hearing from you for an entire month."

Julie echoed his sigh, her eyes filling with tears. "It's terrible, I know, but I have to follow through. I'm here now and there's no turning back. You're an amazing father, I know they'll be in good hands. Please... help them understand why I can't call."

"Of course, honey."

"I love you, George."

"I love you too. Stay safe."

What have I gotten myself into? Julie thought as she put the phone down.

---

"Ready to begin?" Mark asked, breaking the silence that had settled over them after he returned to her room. He pulled out a cigarette and a lighter from his pocket. He placed the cigarette between his lips, causing Julie's heart to race with anticipation and dread.

"Wait, you're going to smoke too?" she asked, taken aback by the suddenness of his actions.

"Of course," he replied with a reassuring smile. "It will help you become more comfortable with the smoke itself. I'm more of a social smoker myself, but I'll indulge myself and make it easier for you that way. Just watch me for now."

Mark lit the cigarette, inhaling deeply before exhaling a plume of smoke into the air. The scent filled the room, a familiar stench of tobacco she despised. Her stomach churned as she watched him, her body instinctively recoiling from the toxin-filled haze.

"See? It's not so bad," he said, taking another drag. "Take a deep breath and try to relax. The goal here is to make you feel comfortable being exposed to tobacco smoke."

Julie hesitated, watching Mark's chest rise and fall with each inhalation. She couldn't deny the sense of power that seemed to emanate from him as he smoked so nonchalantly, a calm and collected aura that she found strangely alluring. Despite her apprehension, she felt a spark of curiosity, a desire to understand what it was about this simple act that could inspire such confidence.

"Alright," she said after some time, taking a deep breath. "I'll give it a try."

"Good," Mark said, handing her a cigarette and lighter. "Just remember, don't inhale the smoke at first. Just take it into your mouth and then gently blow it out."

Julie's hands shook ever so slightly as she flicked the lighter and brought it to the end of the cigarette. The flame danced in the cool night air, casting a warm glow on her face. She cautiously took a small drag, the bitter taste filling her mouth. It was horrible, an odorous stench that instantly permeated all of her smell cells and taste buds. She swiftly blew out the smoke that swirled around her like a mist. She couldn't help but scrunch up her face at the disgusting acrid flavor.

"Take it slow," Mark advised, continuing to smoke as they spoke. "You'll get used to it."

Why are people doing this to themselves, this is as disgusting as it's harmful, Julie thought.

"Try to relax your mouth when you take a puff," Mark suggested, his voice soothing and gentle. "It'll make it easier for you."

Tentatively, she followed his advice, attempting to mirror his every move. The smell of the burning tobacco filled her nostrils, a strange bitterness that was quite repulsive, almost unbearable. She took another puff, the smoke dancing on her tongue before she carefully blew it out. It was a taste that lingered, clinging to her taste buds like an unwanted guest.

"Am I doing this right?" Julie asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Perfectly," Mark replied, smiling encouragingly. "Just remember not to inhale. Let it fill your mouth and then gently exhale."

As they continued their conversation, Julie couldn't help but notice how Mark maintained the same polite and charming demeanor while smoking, his eyes twinkling with warmth and humor. It was almost as if the cigarette served as a sort of conduit for his charisma, amplifying it with each graceful drag. She, on the other hand, felt like shit holding the stinking little stick in her fingers, it was so alien and weird.

"Are you starting to get used to it?" Mark inquired, taking a long, slow draw from his own cigarette.

"Maybe a little," Julie lied, it was still disgusting, but she didn't want to appear ungrateful for his assistance. She pursed her lips and took the final puff, watching as the smoke curled around her fingers before dissipating into the air.

"Good. That's progress," Mark said, sounding genuinely pleased. "Remember, it's just a matter of getting accustomed to it. With time, it'll become better, trust me. Anyway, this is all for today, I have some report to write. We'll continue tomorrow."

As Mark left, Julie reflected on her first cigarette ever and how weird it felt. It was awful, but not as much she feared it would be, based on her previous revulsion of the smell. She ended her day after she thoroughly washed her teeth and watched some TV.

She still couldn't believe she had just smoked her first cigarette, the acrid taste still lingering on her tongue, even after scrubbing her teeth clean. Tired, she spent the rest of the evening trying to distract herself with mindless TV shows, all while feeling the weight of her family she lost contact with weighing heavily on her heart.