Mr. Steward offers Norma a luxurious box with a singular red button inside. He explains that if she pushes the button, someone, a total stranger, will instantly die from a heart attack. In return, she will be rewarded with $50,000 each time she presses it, an amount that will double and keep doubling with every subsequent press. This offer provides Norma with a tantalizing opportunity to acquire unimaginable wealth.
The choice is presented as a moral and psychological test. By pushing the button, Norma's life would experience dramatic improvements, allowing her to fulfill desires and relieve financial burdens. However, this power comes at the price of causing the life of another person, a consequence that seems distant and remote.
As the story unfolds, Norma contemplates the weighty decision before her. She vacillates between moral considerations and the allure of wealth. The internal struggle intensifies, and the consequences weigh on her conscience. Ultimately, the choices she makes lead to a series of unexpected and profound outcomes.
"Button, Button" explores themes of moral ambiguity, fate, and the unpredictable repercussions of one's decisions. It challenges the reader to consider the ethical implications of choices that bring immediate personal benefits at the cost of inflicting harm on others, blurring the line between right and wrong.