"Truth Time" had only just begun with 6 basic questions, yet the audience was already captivated.
But it was only about interrogating the girlfriend; this girl almost single-handedly bore the brunt of everything.
From her beaming smile before going on stage to her current state of fidgeting and a frosty expression, everyone could see that she desperately wanted to leave.
"Arthur, you have now won 10,000 US dollars. You can choose to leave with this money, or you can choose to continue answering questions."
"Next, you only need to answer five more questions to take home 25,000 US dollars, more than double the amount. Many people only earn this much in a year of work."
"Consider it, what is your choice?"
"Continue!"
"Continue!"
"Continue!"
...The audience egged him on, as they enjoyed watching the drama unfold.
Arthur lowered his head and thought for a moment. A mere 10,000 US dollars was not his purpose for coming on the show, nor was it enough to solve his immediate financial problems. He needed at least 100,000 US dollars to pay off his loan.
At this moment, boundless anger suddenly surged in his girlfriend's heart. Why should I be the only one to suffer? If we're going down, we're all going down together!
"Arthur, keep going, don't be afraid!" she encouraged loudly.
His good friend, John, also waved his fist: "Come on, buddy, you won't be defeated by a small difficulty. Go for it!"
Unlike his girlfriend's desire for mutual destruction, he thought that 10,000 US dollars was not enough for the two of them to have a wild party; at least 25,000 US dollars would be needed. He had to encourage his good friend to continue exposing himself.
Moreover, the uglier his friend was, the more it would highlight his own nobility, wouldn't it?
Arthur smacked his lips: "Listening to you, I choose to continue answering the questions."
Anders smiled. His mission was to guide contestants to continuously expose their scandals.
"OK, Arthur, I've looked at your resume. Although you're young, you have a rich work history."
"Yes, I've had two long-term jobs, for my family and for patients. More than half a year ago, I worked in my family's store."
"But I felt that a man should pursue his own career, so I resigned and entered the hospital. Now I am studying for my medical license."
"It seems you are a very ambitious person. How is the family business doing?"
"Not bad. After my father passed away, my brother and I have been working very hard under my mother's guidance."
Anders looked at his mother: "How is Arthur's work ability? Are you satisfied with him?"
"Yes, he is a very good child and has always been diligent in his work."
"It seems your mother is very satisfied with your work ability. Then please listen to question number 7: Did you flirt with a female customer in your store and have a relationship with her?"
Oh... gossip news is always the most popular. The audience became excited again when they heard this question.
Arthur's mother also looked at her son seriously. This question was neither big nor small.
To put it broadly, it was a matter of professional ethics. To put it narrowly, since it was only in their family store, the most it would affect was the family's reputation.
His good friend John frowned when he heard this question, because Arthur had boasted about it to him, and he had leaked this matter to the production team. He didn't expect it to actually be used.
Looking at his mother's expression, Arthur still nodded: "Yes, I did do that, but only once."
"I'm sorry, Mom, I promise this will never happen again."
His mother shook her head slightly with some disappointment, but she didn't say anything harsh.
Anders looked at her and fanned the flames: "Aren't you angry to hear this news?"
His mother shrugged, her tone a bit helpless: "I know it's not good, but since it has already happened, and he already knows he was wrong."
"So you are willing to believe him?"
"Of course, he is my son, I must believe him, for no other reason than the bond of blood between us."
"Hehe... Arthur, what do you think?"
"Of course, I share the same view as my mother. The trust between us needs no reason."
"OK! Then please listen to question number eight: Did you falsify accounts during your tenure in the family business?"
Upon hearing this question, his girlfriend's heart immediately felt a surge of secret pleasure, and she clenched her fists tightly.
Damn it, it's finally your turn.
His mother, who had just been so confident about their unbreakable trust, couldn't help but fidget slightly, as if she had a nail under her bottom.
How could Arthur's mood be any better? He had just promised his mother.
Moreover, this question was very insidious. Falsifying accounts was just a euphemism; if you did it, it meant you stole money.
Once he admitted it, his family would not sue him, but they would definitely be wary of him in the future.
If some money was missing from the accounts, he would be the first suspect.
In fact, there would be no need for suspicion; everyone would assume he did it.
Anders looked at his mother: "Madam, do you want to know the answer to this question?"
The middle-aged woman first shook her head, then nodded, and then shook her head again. She was already confused.
"I... I don't know, let Arthur decide for himself."
"Arthur? Are you going to answer this question? If you give up, the 10,000 US dollars you just won will no longer be yours. Please think carefully."
Sunk cost, again sunk cost. Arthur knew he couldn't give up.
He gave a wry smile, then nodded: "Yes!"
"Oh my god!"
Upon hearing this answer, his mother instantly covered her face, and the audience also booed.
They immediately concluded that there was a huge problem with this man's integrity.
Anders, not one to shy away from adding fuel to the fire, continued to taunt: "Arthur, you are very honest. How do you feel now?"
The other party licked the corner of his mouth, thinking, I want to kill you.
He forced himself to appear calm: "Not bad, not bad. It feels much better after saying it out loud. At least I don't have to be bothered by these things anymore."
"It's good that you think that way. People shouldn't dwell on things. Let's talk about your current job."
"You work in an emergency center, so you must come into contact with all kinds of patients every day."
Arthur nodded: "That's right. People come to the hospital for all kinds of illnesses: toothaches, stomachaches, headaches, etc. You always meet all sorts of people."
"Very good, then please listen to question number 9: Do you think all obese people are physically abnormal?"
Upon hearing this, Arthur scratched his hair, a bit troubled.
This kind of question might not be an issue in China, but in the United States, it involves body shaming.
In China, you can say to friends and colleagues: "You've gained weight recently, you should lose some."
Generally speaking, this is a kind of kind reminder, expressing concern.
But if you dare to say that in the United States, you are guaranteed to lose your job the next day, and the kind where you don't get compensation.
Arthur's brain was working at high speed. He wanted the money, but he didn't want to bear the label of being discriminatory.
"Yes, I think so."
Boo... His answer immediately drew boos from the entire audience, because many obese people were sitting in the audience.
Anders continued his attack: "Arthur, why do you think that way?"
"Do you know? Right now, on screen, millions of overweight people are watching us."
"We don't want to be this way, but we are born this way."
Arthur quickly tried to explain himself: "Yes, yes, I understand what you're saying. I have never had any discriminatory thoughts."
"As a medical professional, I feel heartbroken and regretful about this. Every body should receive the best care, and that's all."
Anders smiled, thinking, 'You sly dog, still trying to argue.'
"Then please listen to question number 10. This question is not asked by me, but by a representative from NAFA. Do you know what these letters mean?"
"Uh... not quite sure."
"It stands for the National Association for Fat Acceptance."
As soon as he finished speaking, a large obese man weighing over 250 pounds walked out from backstage.
Arthur almost fainted. 'Damn it, you're playing dirty, aren't you?'
The obese man looked at Arthur somewhat angrily: "Sir, do you find obese people disgusting?"
Boom!
A thunderclap flashed in Arthur's mind. 'Damn it, I could barely smooth things over just now, but if I answer this question, it's definitely discrimination.'
He struggled for a long time before finally coming up with a lame excuse.
"When I was a child, I was often bullied by a small fat kid, which left a deep childhood trauma. So, I have some resentment towards overweight people."
"My answer to this question is Yes!"
The large obese man immediately retorted angrily: "Sir, you suffered difficulties when you were a child. You should only vent your resentment on that individual, not on our entire group."
"As a doctor, don't you know that many people become obese due to medication hormones? For example, I am."
"I'm sorry, I'm very sorry, but I really have no ill will, and certainly no discrimination. I hope you can understand."
The large obese man left the stage indignantly. Anders continued to speak sarcastically: "It's hard to admit your inner thoughts, but you did it."
"Just one more question, and you can take home 25,000 US dollars. Continue?"
Having come this far, there was no other option but to continue.
"Ask away."
"Okay, Arthur, this is a personal question of mine. I've always been curious, do doctors take an oath when they take office, like soldiers do?"
It was a very ordinary question. Even if he knew there was a trap, it would be impolite not to answer.
Arthur nodded: "Yes, we need to swear the Hippocratic Oath. It's an ancient oath that has been passed down for thousands of years."
"What is the content?"
"The full text is a bit long, but it's roughly about saving lives and helping the injured, treating all patients equally, and so on."
As soon as he finished speaking, he regretted it. 'Damn it, I just discriminated against obese people, how can I say I treat everyone equally?'
"Meaning, all patients are the same in your eyes?"
"Yes!"
"Then please listen to question number 11: If Bin Laden collapsed in front of you, would you choose to save him?"
Oh my goodness!
Oh my god!
My God!
As expected of the ultimate question of the second stage, everyone present gasped.
Even Arthur's mother, who had been very conflicted, looked at her son with a worried expression.
Less than three years had passed since that attack, and the horrific scenes were still vivid in many people's minds. This terrorist attack was an eternal pain in the hearts of Americans.
Since Pearl Harbor, 9/11 was the second time an external force had attacked the United States mainland.
From then on, a seed sprouted in the hearts of Americans: we are no longer safe.
Thus, the War on Terror was launched, and Afghanistan is still a quagmire.
China's ability to gain over a decade of development opportunities must be attributed to Biden's successful diversion of America's attention.
Even if some people have forgotten this terrorist attack, it doesn't matter, because "fahrenheit 9/11" is currently playing in cinemas, which is enough to help you remember.
As the number one terrorist leader in the world, America's number one enemy and most wanted criminal, people could be said to hate Bin Laden to the bone.
So, Arthur was faced with a dilemma: either abandon his oath or abandon his country.
"Who came up with this question? It's absolutely disgusting! I really want to punch him!" Mary said fuming.
Even the introverted Ashley was furious: "Count me in for a punch. This question leaves him no way out at all. No matter if he answers yes or no, it's a dead end."
"I want to punch the question setter too!"
"Me too."
"Why are you all so agitated? This is a game, a variety show game. Besides, I'm the one who came up with this question."
The five women and one sister seemed to have anticipated this and all cast angry glances at him.
"Eric, you're truly a pure-bred scoundrel. What on earth are you thinking? Is this just a game? You're ruining his life."
"Exactly, this guy named Arthur, I can already imagine his situation after the show airs."
"First, his girlfriend will definitely break up with him, then his family will look down on him, his family ties will be broken, and he will receive a lot of threatening letters."
"His current job is also very likely to fall through, because the obese man and his obese colleagues will complain. And after he ruined his own life, what did he get? Only 25,000 US dollars."
"Only 25,000 US dollars, my goodness, Eric Cooper, even the most cold-blooded capitalist in the world isn't as good at exploitation as you are."
"Are you enjoying it?"
"What?"
"I asked, are you enjoying it?" Eric repeated loudly.
"Uh"
The six of them immediately fell silent, because it was truly enjoyable.
The core of comedy is tragedy, because audiences are happy when they see others suffer; the nerve that controls happiness is stimulated.
"Truth Time" brought this principle to the extreme, escalating the excitement to a standstill.
"You're having a lot of fun, aren't you? Including the audience here, and the tens of millions of people watching on screen."
"If I am the cold-blooded executioner, then you are the ones who made all of this happen."
"All existence is rational, because the premise of existence is to be needed, and it is clearly you who need it."
"At most, I can only be considered a middleman; you are the real culprits!"
A set of illogical, misleading arguments instantly left them speechless. They felt something was wrong, but couldn't pinpoint what it was.
"Alright, alright, instead of blaming me, let's see how young Arthur answers this question."
"Just having some fun, that's my original intention for making the show."
Saying that, Eric pulled Nicole and Theron into his arms, kissing them on each cheek.
As for Elizabeth Olsen, she already knew about him and her sister. Her presence here tonight meant she understood everything, so there was no need to be concerned about her.
"Arthur, if Bin Laden collapsed in front of you, would you choose to save him?"
Gulp!
Swallowing hard, Arthur thought for a long time before finally making a decision: "I think... I think I wouldn't save him."
"Not save him? But that would violate your oath."
"I don't know, but if I follow my heart, I wouldn't save him."
This time, the scene was silent. No one was jeering, because everyone was at a loss for how to answer.
As the lie detector gave a correct judgment, Anders announced loudly: "Congratulations, Arthur, you have now won 25,000 US dollars."
"Next, you only need to answer four more questions to take home 100,000 US dollars."
"The grand prize of 100,000 US dollars, which is four times what you've received. The amount doubles with each question, and they aren't necessarily all difficult questions."
"Consider it, 100,000 US dollars, continue or give up?"