For centuries humankind has had the terrible talent for torturing other members of its race. This has been done for many reasons, some seeming legitimate at the time. People tortured each other to instill fear in their enemies, reinforce religous beliefs, or out of a perverted sense of joy. The most common reason for torturing an individual, one that is still justified by some to this day, is the extraction of information.
Not every interrogator that resorts to torture causes severe physical pain. Much can be accomplished by impacting the subject's mind. Sometimes the person being tortured can imagine worse pain and suffering than the interrogator can actually inflict if the desired answers aren't given. Rewards, beyond the ending of pain and suffering, can also be used to entice a torture subject to give up the wanted information. Beyond any legal restrictions, the only limits on a torturer are their own morals and values.
The man sits in a single metal chair. He is wearing only a tattered pair of shorts. The chill coming off of the concrete floor and walls isn't enough to cause him to shiver, but is still uncomfortable. The sole occupant stares at the floor in the glow of the single bulb mounted to the ceiling high over his head. The starkness of the room allows him to ponder his situation with absolutely no distractions at all.
He doesn't know exactly where he is, but he knows why he is there. He knows things. Things only a very few other people know. Things the other side desperately wanted to know. Things they would go to any lengths to find out. He is here so their interrogators can try to extract this information from him. His only hope for survival is to keep from telling them anything. If he speaks, then his captors would have no reason to keep him alive. If the information gets out, his own side would kill him for revealing their secrets. His entire existence hangs on his ability to keep his mouth shut. Right now things could easily go either way for him.
The creek and scrape of the single door opening means it is nearly time for his fate to be decided. A group of three men carry in a metal framework. Once it is positioned, they all leave. One of them returns and sets up a simple folding table next to the framework. The single laborer looks at the subject in the chair and shakes his head slowly as he walks out of the containment room. After a few minutes, an older gentleman enters the cell with a rolled up bag of tools under his arm. He wrings a towel in his hands as though drying them. Once he is satisfied, he tosses the towel on the floor outside the door and kicks it shut with an echoing clang.
The captive looks up at his captor in anticipation of what is to come. The interrogator pretends his subject is beneath his notice as he steps to the table and unrolls his tool bag. Many pieces of hard metal glisten in the light of the single bulb. Sharp edges and spiny points are highlighted by the reflections they give off. The subject in the chair knows what some of the edges are designed to do. He is afraid to consider what the others may be intended for.
The men that had carried in the equipment now stand guard outside the room. Through the door then can hear the faint sounds of the prisoner being strapped into the frame they had carried in. They knew, from past experience, that the interrogation was about to begin. A few minutes later, the sounds of screams resonate from inside the cell. One of the guards glances at his watch. He then reaches into his pocket and withdraws a couple of dollar bills. He hands these to the other guard who takes them with a smile.
The sounds of human screams rise and fade and the interrogator continues his attempts to extract information. The questions can't be heard from outside the cell as the interrogator never raises his voice above a loud whisper.
The sounds continue to rise and fall in volume and intensity for some time. They finally cease seconds before the door opens once again. The interrogator steps out of the room and simply confirms that he is done. Inside, the captor hangs from the framework. His head hangs loosely, his chin resting on his chest. Sweat is streaming from nearly every pore and he is suspended motionless by his arms. No marks are evident on his naked body as the guards step into the room and begin to lower him from the framework.
By no means do I condone torture as a generally acceptable interrogation technique. However, like any other tool, it can be an advantage when used used with control and discipline. In a time of war, the safety of one's own soldiers must be paramount. This can still be ensured without losing a respect for all of humanity.
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