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None of what I was claiming to believe was even remotely true. In a basic psych course all freshman students had to take at the college I previously attended, I’d read multiple studies which demonstrated time after time that harsh punishment didn’t work as a deterrent. In fact, it made the criminal more likely to reoffend.

However, based on the glimpse I got of the punishment dungeon in the New Eden shelter, I had a feeling the Elders wanted to hear the exact backward views I was claiming to espouse.

“So you believe in strict rules and harsh punishment?” Elder Fontenot asked, scribbling down a note in front of him. I was right; he looked pleased.

I nodded. “I do.”

“What’s your opinion on women in the workforce?” Jacob asked a moment later.

I feigned a deep sigh and rubbed my forehead. “That’s another one that’s hard for me to answer. Society makes it so difficult to say anything these days without inciting outrage.”

“We’re the only ones listening, Mason,” Elder Fontenot said. “Even if we don’t like your answers, they will stay with us. Nothing leaves this room.”

I pretended to mull over that for a moment. “Well,” I finally began in a faux-reluctant tone. “I believe in women working, of course.”

A few of the Elders narrowed their eyes.

“But,” I went on. “There’s a certain sort of work I think women are more naturally suited to. Housekeeping, child-rearing, cooking, and so on. I think it’s just basic biology that they’re more suited to that. So while I believe they should work in that capacity, I don’t believe they should work outside of the home. But try telling women that these days and see the response you get. Seething anger and outrage. They don’t want to be told they can’t be a lawyer or a doctor, even if that’s what they think they want to do. They hate the thought of being naturally submissive and nurturing toward men, even though that’s where they’d be happiest if they only let it happen.”

The Elders scribbled down notes and murmured amongst themselves as I spoke.

I scrubbed a hand across my face and continued. “It’s almost like… the way things are these days, the only way it could change for the better is if women simply aren’t allowed to know about everything that’s out there in the world. That way they wouldn’t be tempted to stray off their natural paths. Of course, that’s totally impossible, with all the rights, education, and technology available to everyone nowadays.”

“Yes. One would think so,” Jacob said, a small smile playing on his lips again. I knew I’d said the right thing.

I let out a dejected sigh. “Anyway, sorry for the outburst,” I said, pasting on a repentant smile. “I know my views can be quite strong.”

“That’s quite all right,” Elder Landry said. He looked happy to be listening to me.

Another extensive round of questions was asked. I must’ve been sitting here for over three hours now, answering query after query in regard to my worldviews, giving opinions on all kinds of matters, and discussing general subjects which hardly seemed relevant.

“What do you believe a man’s place in a marriage is?” Jacob eventually asked. By this point, my eyelids were getting heavy from sitting stationary for so long.

I cleared my throat. “I think a man’s place in a marriage is to be the head of the household. In control of everything.”

“Could you expand on that?”

I nodded. “A man should make all the decisions in his marriage, and he should guide his wife in her actions. If necessary, he should also correct her behavior. I believe that a woman’s place is naturally below that of a man in society, given their weaknesses. So while it’s a huge responsibility for a man to take on, it’s necessary for a properly functioning marriage, in my opinion.”

“And how would you correct a woman’s behavior?”

“The same way you would correct a child’s bad behavior, I suppose. Physical punishment,” I said with a nonchalant shrug. On the inside, I was shuddering. I didn’t mean this shit, but I still felt dirty saying it out loud. “I know it sounds terrible, but I believe submission should be forced by any means possible. Even violence. Sometimes pain is the only real way to teach creatures as naturally simple as women.”

“Hm. I see,” Jacob said. He wrote something down, then looked up at me again. “Now, we already know what a woman’s place in society is, according to you. But I’d like to ask you something a little more general. What are women for?”

I frowned. “What are they for?”

“Yes. Aside from child-bearing, childcare, and household tasks. What are they for?”

I hesitated again. “Well, I suppose I’d say pleasure. Amusement, too. For us men. It’s our world, after all.”

Jacob nodded slowly and made another note. He and all the other Elders stayed quiet for a long moment after that. I began to worry I’d said something terribly wrong, but then Jacob cleared his throat and looked back over at me.

“In our commune, we have certain beliefs and ways of life that a lot of people would not agree with. Despite the most rigorous testing and questioning, we can never be entirely sure that a prospective member will be happy and agreeable once he arrives and sees the true nature of our lives here at New Eden.”

“Okay…” My forehead wrinkled. Was he saying they couldn’t be sure about me, and therefore I was out?

“So despite all the questions and the generous donations we ask prospects to make, we require something else too. Something… hmm, how should I put this?” He trailed off for a moment. “A form of insurance, if you will.”

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