A new inmate at Blackstone Prison is confronted by other prisoners who demand payment or threaten him. He refuses, leading to a fight. Injured, he is brought to the infirmary, where Chief Physician Adrian insists on treating him despite prison rules sending fighters to solitary. The inmate, Leo, accuses Adrian of having a predatory obsession with him. Adrian reveals he knows Leo took the fall for his sister and stitches him up, warning that his heroics won't keep him alive long. Leo defiantly rejects Adrian's authority, leaving their tense power struggle unresolved as Leo faces his sentence in solitary confinement.