when payne sees his company, he immediately tells them that, under his direction, they will win the games at all costs, regardless of their various shortcomings: being overweight, sickly, deaf, cross-eyed, orphaned, or from a dysfunctional home. afterward, he shaves all their heads bald. payne also meets and clashes with emily walburn, the academy counsellor who tries to soften payne's discipline with understanding and feelings, especially towards six year old orphan tiger (orlando brown).