“Now James, you’d best calm down and listen very carefully. When I open the door to your cage, the bomb around your neck will start counting down from 8 seconds. This room is 40 feet long and 10 feet wide. At the far end are 2 doors 9 feet apart. It will take you about 4 seconds to run to either door, 1 second to open and step through the door. Are you with me so far? Good. When you step through a door, the bomb stops ticking as long as you stay in that room.” He casually lit another cigarette, took a long draw and exhaled into James’ face. “Behind the door to your left is your wife and daughter, suspended over a pit of spikes. Behind the left door is your brother and son, tied under a vat of acid. Opening the left door releases a valve on the tank of acid. Opening the right door releases the clamp holding the women. The clamp and valve open in 30 seconds.”

There was no malice in his voice and look of mild bemusement on his face. “Shall we begin the experiment? I’ll count to 3 and open the door. 1..2..3”