Summary

“Octet” is formatted as if it were a logic test, with descriptions of different morally ambiguous social scenarios – separated by the heading “Pop Quiz” and a seemingly random number – followed by a question about the scenario. However, the scenarios grow increasingly long, complicated, and meta-layered – with for instance some of the scenarios admitting that there is significant ambiguity in the scenario, and declining to ask a question.

Pop Quiz 4 describes two drug addicts huddled together in an alley on a cold day. Then one of the addicts takes his coat and drapes it around both of them, and they continue to huddle together for shared warmth.

Pop Quiz 6 describes two male coworkers, identified only as “X” and “Y,” who quickly become close friends. Y is single and has just moved, and begins to frequently stay over with X, who has a wife and unidentified...