<p><strong>A lesbian parolee re-integrates into life in DC in a dark comedy about the dangers and delights of humiliation.</strong></p><p>Desiree Schulman is home from federal prison&mdash;almost.</p><p>When Des returns to Washington, DC under 'conditional release,' she wants three things: to repair her relationships, to practice humility, and to stay out of prison. So she reconnects with her local sadomasochists&#39; group, and pursues an elusive ex. She takes a state-mandated job cleaning (and judging) other people&#39;s houses, flings a few prayers at whatever Higher Power might be listening, and spends her group therapy trying to justify her happy childhood to the women of her halfway house.</p><p>But Des&#39;s downwardly-mobile skid through the gentrifying city is more dangerous than she realizes. Behind a high fence in wealthy Upper Northwest, a cult is preying on vulnerable women. And when Des discovers their secret, she&#39;ll have to find out whether she&#39;s willing to risk her own freedom for somebody else&#39;s.</p><p>Set in the shadow of the 2016 elections, Punishment is a story about all the ways we surrender: the ridiculous ways and the sublime ways and the sad sordid ways; the ways which damage us and the ways which may, if we&#39;re lucky, heal us.</p>