Luke woke feeling oddly cleansed and noticed two additions to his room: an older-model Mac laptop and a small television. When he powered up the laptop, a blue screen demanded a token to unlock it, driving home the Institute’s reward-and-control system. The TV worked without tokens, but its channel guide excluded news and networks, limiting outside information.

Luke inventoried the closet and bathroom, finding generic clothing, basic toiletries, and only harmless items; the most concerning discovery remained the ear chip implanted earlier. Seeing his reddened earlobe reminded Luke that staff could track him as a blinking dot, underscoring his loss of autonomy and connection to his former academic ambitions. He also realized there were no books in the room, heightening his sense of deprivation.

Leaving the room to seek others, Luke met Maureen Alvorson pushing a laundry cart. He offered help and asked how to earn tokens for the laptop. Maureen proposed he make five beds in newly assigned rooms in exchange for three tokens, asking him to call her Maureen or Mo.

As they passed an ice machine, Maureen indicated it was a microphone “dead zone” and quietly asked about Luke’s chipping. When Luke confirmed Tony had done it and slapped him, Maureen cautioned him to comply with Tony, Zeke, and Gladys, whom she labeled especially cruel. Luke mentioned seeing Tony injured, likely by Nicky Wilholm; Maureen approved of Nicky’s resistance, even if it likely resulted in retaliation.

They proceeded to prepare rooms for five new arrivals, two due that night and three the next day. The first child’s room was themed for a young kid, with children’s posters, G.I. Joe figures, and clown wallpaper. Maureen identified the incoming occupant as Avery Dixon, age ten, while promising to show Luke how to make hospital corners, acknowledging his quick learning.