Before we begin to tell you about New Mercy Hospital and all its intricacies, we should make you aware of the most bizarre of phenomena that surrounds it. Not even the residents of Hidden Cove can truly explain it - and truly, if they are asked about it - they would discount you has having contracted a bit of the madness that this hospital houses. The phenomena of which we speak is that - unless one has business at New Mercy - or has cause to seek it out for some business. You could walk directly past its gates and never realize it. Not remember so much as it even being there. Even some that have been to New Mercy on repeated visits, have trouble remembering its exactly location if asked. Some of those that have gone looking for the institution - out of curiosity or for more nefarious purposes, never do seem able to locate it. Even when they know it should be there.
Those that have family within its walls however, never seem to have any problem at all - driving directly up to the gate every time and speak highly of New Mercy's able staff.
The outside of the asylum stands in defiance of the modern age…. It’s high spires and old world design speak of an age, gone but refusing to be forgotten….
When you enter into the main hall you are greeted by vaulted ceilings and soft pleasant colors… blues… yellows…. whites…. There is nothing loud or overwhelming in sight… even the plants and the meager furnishings are simple in their design… The are of a soft, but practical design…. Much different than the more modern looking institutions… Everything is designed to give its residents and visitors a sense of peace and tranquility….
As you walk the corridors of the first and second floors you see simple rooms with only meager furnishings…
There is a large sun porch off the community room on the first floor… that spans almost the entire expanse of the first floor… with chairs, tables and simple plants….
The community room includes several easels for painting… tables for games and puzzles… there are no TV and no newspapers…. There is a sound system that pipes in soothing music…. (not muzak… ) for the residents….
The second floor is much the same as the first floor… simple in it’s design… and soothing in it’s nature…. There are windows in an upstairs community room…though they cannot be opened… and a large space that the residents use for dancing and singing…. the rest of the floor houses rooms for the residents...
The third floor is completely inaccessible by any of the open entrances on the first or second floor…. The only way to get to the third floor is by a secured elevator…. You must have a key and a pass card before you are allowed entrance even to the elevator….
The third floor is reserved for the criminally insane…. There are no bars… but secured padded rooms and even a couple of plastic encased cells…. Reserved for Hannibal types…
These residents are fed their meals through sliding doors and are not allowed silverware… as a matter of fact… they have no beds… no chairs nothing…. They are allowed the occasional walk outside… but only in restraints, under heavy guard and only on small portion of the lawn that is only accessible from that wing…
Everything is very pleasant and designed to put visitors and residents at ease…. And it also does not tell the whole story…
There is a fourth floor that houses the residence of the true power behind the institution... The Malkavian Psychiatrist Dr. Mikalia Lector... This floor is accessible only by private elevator… that even the most clever of kindred would have trouble finding…. There are also hidden passages and corridors that lead throughout the institution for the use of the good doctor and whatever other Kindred she deigns to allow access…. for those that "stumble across" these hidden corridors... there are untold perils... to date... no unwanted 'guests' have emerged to tell the tale...
In the basement is the truth behind this seemingly innocent institution…. The basement contains many medieval torture devices and products of mental therapy… including the “human gerbil wheel”, the vainity box, and an iron maiden…. (with spikes carefully placed so it would not stake a kindred but would keep the securely pinned….) and a table designed with straps and devices once used to “bleed” the madness from a subject…. It also includes some other more modern devices for psychotherapy, such as an electroshock device… that has been redesigned to deliver massive amounts of shock therapy… for use on those of Kindred blood…. Ghouls included…
The basement would be a source of never ending terror and fear… if those whom the devices were used on ever came out with enough of a mind to tell the tale… The rooms are designed simply and with the utmost of space conservation and practicality….
These rooms are designed for the use of Dr. Lector... she is relentless in her duties as Keeper of the Elysium... and her pursuit to make sure the Masquerade remains intact...
There are also rooms on several of the floors where in the head doctor and some of the others on staff conduct their therapy sessions with patients…. But on the bottom floor of the asylum is also the place where prisoners of the Prince… and the Scourge... those awaiting justice…. Or those that the Beast has taken over completely… reside…. In cells designed specifically with kindred in mind….
Visiting Kindred are allowed temporary residence if they ask nicely enough… and there are a few rooms that are kept open just for this purpose….
The grounds are spacious... and include wooded areas... walking paths... sunporches... excerise courses... and a small pond... (of course residents allowed anywhere on the grounds are watched carefully....)
On the very back of the grounds there is a regular working, though small, hospital… with a full staff… all loyal to Dr. Lector… thus the residents of the institution (Kindred included) are taken here… to prevent the endangerment of the Masquerade….
The entrance is secured by armed guard… not simple security guards… though they are dressed simply in simple dress uniforms…. (not security…) of pleasant colors… and their weapons… are hidden under simple jackets….
No one is allowed upon or around the grounds.. without the express permission of Dr. Lector... those caught "sneaking about"... will be dealt with most harsly if found out... Due to very tight security... including.. but not limited to.. cameras... dogs.. and ghouls... getting onto the grounds... let alone into the institution.. undetected... is nigh impossible....
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