TWELVE

After showering with hot water, soap, shampoo, and soft towels, Juliette realizes Warner and The Reestablishment are trying to make her forget what they have done to her. The luxury does not tempt her; Juliette reflects that she never wanted wealth, only human connection, and that books once gave her the relationships and compassion the world denied her.

Juliette returns to the bedroom in her old clothes and finds Adam gone, despite his promise to stay. When Juliette opens the armoire, Juliette sees it filled with perfectly sized, expensive clothing and understands that her arrival was prepared for. The realization intensifies Juliette's anger at being studied, betrayed, and treated as a possession by her parents, teachers, Adam, Warner, and The Reestablishment.

Adam returns and tells Juliette that Warner is waiting. Adam indicates the clothing is meant for Juliette, but Juliette refuses to change because Juliette does not want to become Warner's property or meet his expectations. Adam notices Juliette after the shower, seems briefly surprised, then leads Juliette through the extravagant building toward the dining room.

In the enormous dining room, Warner sits at the central table and the room stands when Warner rises. Juliette notices there are no other women and that seats have been reserved on both sides of Warner. Juliette sits at Warner's left while Adam sits across from her, creating a tense triangle of power, fear, and unspoken communication.

Warner comments on Juliette's refusal to wear the clothes provided and tries to pressure Juliette to eat. When Juliette says she would rather die than eat Warner's food and hear Warner call her love, Adam reacts with alarm. Warner responds by pulling a gun and firing across the room, shooting through a platter of meat without looking, demonstrating how casually Warner can endanger everyone present.

Warner drops the gun onto Juliette's plate and warns Juliette to choose words carefully because Warner can make Juliette's life harder. Adam silently urges Juliette to comply, and Juliette picks up her fork. Warner notices Adam's influence, rebukes Adam for not getting Juliette to change, and reminds Juliette that Warner does not care what Juliette likes; Warner needs Juliette to look her best when Juliette stands beside Warner.