So the setting is Green Oaks psych ward in Dallas, Texas. Upon intake, all patients are started out in an observation area, where there are only reclining chairs, no beds. Patients are generally kept here between 1-3 days before being admitted to a unit or released. Also immediately upon intake, all patients are made to strip in a private bathroom with a nurse and any memorable markings or tattoos on their body are recorded. Players will have the option to be admitted to the unit or be released from the ward (RP) after 1-3 days, or can choose to be a character that was already on the ward prior to my character being admitted. Also upon intake, all of the patients clothing with strings and zippers (minus jeans with zippers) are confiscated, as are any personal effects, minus softcover books or approved clothing. Once admitted to the ward, patients start off on Level 1, during which they have to take their meals on the ward. After 3-7 days they are put on Level 2, which means they can go to the cafeteria for meals. There is real coffee and a soda machine in the cafeteria, and the food is served cafeteria-style with no limit on portions. There is no smoking allowed on the ward, however there are TVs with cable that run from 4pm-8pm on weekdays and from noon-8pm on weekends. There is an outdoor area surrounded by a cage on the ward as well. Generally patients stay on the ward anywhere from 3 days to 6 months, but a common stay length is 7 days. All protocol outlined above are based on actual protocol at Green Oaks in Dallas.
Characters Needed
- 4 to 10 patients
- 3 to 9 patients
- 4 to 6 nurses
- 1 to 2 doctors
My Character
Alex Sumner
22
Nobinary
Schizoaffective
As the police led Alex into the intake room, Alex felt nothing but dread. Everything in their mind was screaming that if they were forced to stay in this place again, they would die. They didn't even know why the police had arrested them in their bed, the staff working at the boarding home last night must've called them because Alex broke the rules again last night--they had wanted to finish their cigarette when the staff had said it was time to go inside. Alex had refused to put out their cigarette, and the staff had proceeded to lock Alex out. Alex had banged on the door until they were let back in. The staff had seemed peeved, but Alex didn't think he'd resort to calling the police knowing Alex had a fear of the psych ward.
Alex was barely able to follow along as the nurse asked the intake questions--full name, date of birth, et cetera. Finally, Alex was led into the observation chamber. Within moments another nurse came to walk them to the bathroom, where Alex knew the humiliating ritual of being strip-searched would take place. And it did. The scars on Alex's body were marked down, as were the bruises on their hands from last night. Then they were handed oversized navy blue scrub pants, and their jeans were placed into a personal effects box. At least they were allowed to keep their shirt. It was tie-dye.
They walked to the nearest empty reclining chair and sat back, watching "Elf" play on the TV at the from of the giant room. This would be the second Christmas they would spend in the psych ward. It was already December 23rd, and they doubted they would be out of here in less than two days.
