At the beginning of the futuristic story "The Toxic Donut," two characters, Ron and Kim, are on an awards show stage, where Ron, the administrative assistant for the annual show, is conducting a rehearsal. As Ron explains to Kim, the guest, how the live show will work, he establishes the pattern that the rest of the story follows. The story consists entirely of Ron's instructions to Kim. Ron gives a little information about the show, and then Kim responds with a question or statement, although the reader never hears what Kim says. As a result, the reader must derive what Kim is saying from Ron's responses to her questions and statements.

Ron starts by introducing himself and then congratulates Kim, who finds this odd. Ron explains that Kim has been chosen to represent all of humanity and nature for one half-hour that night and then asks...