His reality

Darius did not like Alex. Despite having known him since he was just a preteen and being married to Alex's mother, he could never tolerate a spoiled and privileged brat destined to a life of pleasures despite never having earned it. Darius was a man who was in many ways the antithesis of Alex. Where Alex was an upper-class white kid with all the accoutrements, he had immigrated to the United States when he was barely an adult and worked for everything he had. It was this work that had drawn Angela to him and their romance soon followed. He had come into her company as an intern and had impressed her not only with his work on-site, but also the byproducts of having to support himself with manual labor; namely, a sculpted physique and respect for those grinding their way to something better.

On one fateful evening though, that became a point of conversation between Darius and Angela. She was not blind to her son's transgressions and seemingly endless ability to burden the lives of others. A not insignificant part of the blame was hers for certain, and with Darius's vocal disdain of Alex, she knew something had to be done. Together they devised a plan to humble her son, with Darius taking the leading role and Angela directing.

On that evening they were in one of the dens within the house.

"It has to be something significant," remarked Darius, "a slap on the wrist might as well not exist at this point"

Angela thought for a moment, wracking her brain for ideas. Then, the realization came. "You're right," she said, "it has to be significant. We have spun our wheels trying to get him to change himself. What if we take matters into our own hands?"

Darius's brows furrowed as he tried to follow her logic.

She continued, "I am talking about hypnosis, or at least some very deep and pharmaceutically enhanced suggestion. The researchers at the office have been tinkering with some old government contracts. What do you know about Operation Dazzler?"