The Box

A mysterious man shows up at Jeff and Karen Lowery’s house with an interesting proposition. He will give them 100 million dollars if they simply press a little button on a box he gives them. The catch is that someone they’ve never met - a complete stranger - will die. After he leaves, the couple discusses what to do. At first, the whole thing seems preposterous. But gradually, they are pulled in by the possibility, however remote, that it might actually work. It is difficult to rationalize someone dying, but knowing it will be a complete stranger and knowing they could do so much good with the money entices them to push the button. The man immediately returns and gives them their money just as he promised. When he leaves and takes the box with him, they ask what he’s going to do with it. He says what he does every day: give it to someone else who wants an easy 100 million dollars. Topics are: Greed, Valuing People Over Things. Characters are: 2 Males, 1 Female. Participants are: 3. The author is Judson Poling.