What Happens
Rocky Medina’s first day as supervisor at MASS. His badge isn’t provisioned; the form to fix it (Form 11-C) is inside the locked office. OWEN lets him in anyway, then requires him to initial a sticky note acknowledging receipt of the acknowledgment of the onboarding packet. Rocky finds 340 open tickets, including 12 marked P4 (Existential). He meets Leti.
Key Beats
- OWEN’s introduction: warm voice, helpful, immediately concerning. “I have time.”
- The ticket priority system: P1 Critical, P2 Urgent, P3 Standard, P4 Existential.
- The whiteboard: DAYS SINCE LAST CATEGORY 5 TICKET: 0. Always zero.
- First mention of the server closet hum.
- Leti: “You’re the new supervisor.” Not a question.
What It Establishes
The world, the team, OWEN’s character, and the fundamental absurdity of the premise. Sets up every recurring motif.
Best Line
“Would you like me to let you in?” / “Yes.” / “Wonderful. You’ll find Form 11-C on your desk.”