Red button. Thomas hesitates. His hand hovers.
Thomas doesn't answer.
[After credits / recovered data]
Thomas presses .
There is nothing underneath.
"What's your name, sport?"
Thomas stands up. He walks past the desk. He reaches toward Mr. Barkley's dog head.
The dog is still breathing. But its eyes are wet. It looks directly into the camera.
"Behind one of these buttons is a treat. Behind another… a consequence. Choose wisely, Thomas. That's the game ."
A buzzer. Harsh. The lights dim. The Golden Retriever yelps — a horrible, human-like cry. It collapses. Its legs twitch.
"Come on, Thomas. Don't you want your puppy? Push another button. Be a good boy. "
The Golden Retriever stops panting. It tilts its head. Whines once, low.
Mr. Barkley holds up a flash card. On it: a crudely drawn stick figure with a leash around its neck.
"But first… we have to make sure Thomas is a good boy ." [00:01:45 - 00:02:30]
