A man, Leon, is brought into a new home by another man who demands he take off his shoes and wash thoroughly, establishing himself as Leon's controlling owner. The owner asserts that every inch of Leon's body now belongs to him, declaring Leon merely a piece of raw clay to be sculpted. Leon reluctantly submits, acknowledging the arrangement. When the owner critiques Leon's body as a poor canvas, Leon asserts his humanity but is immediately silenced. The owner then commands Leon to follow him for an immediate first lesson, which involves instructing Leon to remove his only garment—his robe—leaving Leon exposed and vulnerable.