Delores points at me. And now she looks pissed. “That, I…
““Delores points at me. And now she looks pissed. “That, I believe. Fucking prick.” She holds her hands up. “But it’s okay. Don’t panic. I’ll take care of everything. We have this new fuel at the lab that’s ready for animal testing. He won’t know what hit him—I can slip it right through the vents.” She turns to Billy. “You’re in charge of the garden hose and duct tape.” Then she looks at me. “I’ll need your keys and security code.” I shake my head. “Delores, you can’t gas Drew to death.” “It might not kill him. If I had to guess, I’d say the odds for survival are fifty-fifty.” “Delores . . .” “Okay, thirty-seventy. But still, that gives us plausible deniability.” My mother and George walk into the room, interrupting the diabolical plan. My mom hugs Dee Dee tight. “Hi, honey! It’s so good to see you. Are you hungry?” “Starved.” She looks at George. “Hey George, how they hanging?” I think George Reinhart is a little afraid of Delores. Maybe more than a little. He adjusts his glasses. “They’re . . . hanging well . . . thank you.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A character proposes a lethal chemical attack, rationalizing it as plausible deniability, while others intervene and question morality.
In simple terms: A plan to poison someone is discussed, but others stop it.
Key Takeaway
Consider the ethics before acting.
Themes
ethics
danger
intervention
Mood
tense
urgent
conflicted
Type
dialogue
dramatic
ethical
When to use this quote
- lab experiments
- security breaches
- family dynamics
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
moral calculus
plausible deniability
risk assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the moral limits of using dangerous means for a goal?
- How does intervention change outcomes?
A Different Perspective
The plan assumes success without accounting for unintended consequences.