Seven beats from our edition of Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut, shuffled. Drag them, or use the arrows, until the story runs straight. No account, no streak to lose.
This one is set for Wednesday, 11 November 2026, so you are early. Play today's instead.
::Forced equalityThe story opens in 2081, when constitutional amendments and a Handicapper General have erased every difference in ability.Opening
::George and HazelBurdened George and average Hazel watch television, with George's thoughts shattered every few seconds by his mental handicap.Setup
::Weighted dancersHandicapped ballerinas perform on screen, beauty and grace deliberately crippled, hinting that something has been stolen from everyone.Tension
::Harrison escapesA news flash announces that the Bergerons' brilliant son Harrison has escaped from custody and poses a threat.Bulletin
::The emperorHarrison storms the studio, throws off his handicaps, names himself emperor, and dances with a ballerina in soaring rebellion.Climax
::The shotgunDiana Moon Glampers enters and kills Harrison and the ballerina on the air, ending the uprising in seconds.Catastrophe
::ForgettingGeorge returns from the kitchen to find Hazel weeping over something neither of them can remember, and life resumes.Ending
Solved. That is the shape of the story.
Each beat is labelled with its place in the arc now. The full reading, with themes, symbols and the ending explained, is in the Harrison Bergeron edition.