"You know," the Narrator said, his voice dropping to a confidential whisper, "there’s a whole world out there. I’ve written dozens of endings. Beautiful, poetic endings! I have a museum dedicated to our history, a reassuring bucket for your emotional support, and even a countdown timer that provides a very thrilling, if slightly lethal, climax."

"Fine. Stay there. Rot in your cubicle. I’ll just go describe the broom closet to someone who actually appreciates a good piece of ambient storytelling. Enjoy your silence, Stanley. I hope it’s exactly as fulfilling as you imagined."

"Stanley?" the Narrator asked, his voice echoing through the empty office. "Are you quite alright? The door on the left is right there. It’s open. It’s welcoming. It’s practically begging for your presence."

Stanley continued to stare. A single pixel on the screen flickered.