Disclaimer: these stories are a work of fiction.
Yes, you have committed a heinous crime of rebellion.
A crime for which some other empire might send you to prison for life. Or exile you. Perhaps execute you.
A crime for which you have been properly found guilty.
But you have a different punishment.
You don’t need to spend a lifetime in prison. You don’t need to be exiled from your family and friends. You don’t need to be executed.
All you need to do is not press the button.
This empire is benevolent. Not like those other empires that would needlessly punish you so harshly.
For your rebellion was just a momentary lapse, wasn’t it?
You can be obedient, can’t you?
OK, here is your command:
Don’t press the button.
You’re bound, blindfolded, and wearing earplugs. You cannot move. You’re in complete darkness. Complete silence.
You can hear nothing, you can see nothing, you can do nothing at all.
Except for… one thing.
Under your finger is a button.
Do not press the button!
When your trial is complete you’ll be released and you can go home.
Just… don’t press the button.
Pressing the button will ring a loud bell indicating that you request to be sold into slavery.
The moment you press the button you are no longer legally considered a person and you have no rights whatsoever.
If someone buys you at auction who wants to feed you to their alligators that’s perfectly legal.
So DON’T PRESS THE BUTTON!
Have patience. All you need to do is wait. And not press the button.
Your hand is tied in place so that you cannot move your finger away from the button. The button is under your finger, all the time. All it takes is one little press.
Don’t press the button.
You can return to your life. Your friends and family. Everyone you know and love.
Just… don’t… press… the button.
You wait.
Motionless.
In darkness.
In silence.
And wait.
Don’t press the button.
The button. Don’t press.
Press not the button.
“The button, press you not”, says Yoda.
Button press. Do not.
You have one task. Only one task. As you wait, there is only one thing you need to do.
One job.
Don’t press the button.
Don’t press.
The button.
The button. Don’t.
Press. Don’t. Button. The.
Press button. Don’t.
Don’t. Don’t.
Press the button.
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