By order of the High Court of the State of Eurasia, brought to you by Volkswagen-Shell, you will be electrified until dead.

Do you have any last words, marretics?"

“You’ve all built a digital hell far worse than anything I could encounter in death.”

“Very well. Guard!”

The guard throws the switch and then…nothing. The guard stares at the blank screen on the control panel. A whirling icon appears and then a video begins to play.

“Thank you for choosing Gentletouch Execution Systems, the kindly-er assisted termination provider. Please watch this brief ad before we deliver the service. We use ads to keep costs low, and 10% will go to guard pensions and inmate amenities.”

The ad starts playing. It’s for an ergonomic grip for execution levers. You look at the heavy, angular lever and then at the guard as they curl and uncurl the knobbled fingers on the hand that pulled the lever as they continue watching the ad. The ad timer continues to count down as you watch.