Caught Up

Junior drives recklessly on his motorcycle, following the ping of a military-grade tracker that he planted in Lauren’s purse while attending church. The motorcycle has always been a symbol of rebellion for him. He reflects on the fact that he first noticed Lauren when he was only 12 years old, and he also reminisces about the night of the fundraiser, when he called Lauren into the shadows. Since Lauren, Junior has been forced to hide his thoughts and feelings from everyone in order to avoid issues in the mafia. Junior locates Lauren’s in a building in a dangerous part of the city. Internet searches reveal that the business is Velvet, a play club in which members can openly engage in sex acts. Junior learns that the club is restricted to members, so he uses a fake identity to get a membership.

Junior enters the club wearing a mask and hears whips, moans, and laughter behind various closed doors. He then finds his way to a room labeled “Watch.” Inside, he sees Lauren among a group of 30 people, talking to a man who looks like a professor. Junior considers getting violent but decides to use coercion instead because he wants to improve as a person.