Tell

Annoyed as she is at being stopped, Ellie is reasonable enough to know this was never about giving her a free platform to speak. She ponders for a moment, trying to guess what each option might entail, but realises the effort would be in vain. They want to keep her guessing and choose between options she does not and cannot possibly know. Ellie takes a deep breath as the host reaches for the glass on the tray still held by the motionless girl and sips from it.

"Whatever," Ellie mutters. She can do it. Whatever "it" happens to be.

"Tell," she says louder and clearer.

The host nods and then raises a remote control which he points at the screen behind them. The number 5000 appears on it under the heading "Prize", blinking merrily in red.

"You have 5000 credits, Ellie. A clever girl like you must remember the conversion rate to real currency, I'm sure. Now, you do not even need to do anything, it is already on your game account... However."

Three men pile onto the stage, out of which three seats rise up for them. They are not quite as impressive as the one occupied by the host, but clearly softer and more comfortable than Ellie's own chair. "You will now hold a conversation with these fine gentlemen about their experiences with feminists. I will monitor the debate and keep it civil. Oh, and with regard to the option you pick..." He makes it sound like an afterthought.

"... For this debate and the remainder of the show, you will lose 10 credits each time you fail to address any male member of staff or the audience as "Sir". Now, let us proceed."