[ WP ] Time resets to April 1st when the button timer drops to 00:00 . Everyone realizes they 're in a new terrible groundhog day reality .

April 1st, 2030. Cycle 25. 
 
 A man sits in front of a computer, centered in a large room. The only light emits from the monitor, reflecting off the man's black rimmed glasses, which showed a counter dropping in seconds. A list of names filled the left side of the screen in a single column. The counter was nearing 0. The man sat up in his seat a little more. He holds his hand over a button sitting in front of the screen. He watches closely as the number counts down. 3..2..1... 
 
 As soon as the counter reaches 1, a quiet *ding* rings from the computer's speakers. The counter resets at 60 and begins counting down again. The names on the left move down one. The man relaxes in his seat. He blinks twice, rapidly, bringing up information on his glass lenses. The time reads 5:59 A.M. He turns and looks behind him to a door on the opposite wall as if he were anticipating it to open. 
 
 The counter drifts close to 0 again, causing the man to turn back to the monitor. Moments after the *ding* fills the room again, the door opened. 
 
 `` It's not like you to be late Sam'' said the man to the figure entering the room. The figure takes a step forward, stepping into the light of the computer, revealing a young, light skinned man. The monitor made his short black hair appear blue in the light. 
 The man appears surprised. `` Oh sorry, you're not Sam.'' 
 
 `` No worries, I'm Anthony. Sam called in sick today,'' Anthony replies, smiling. 
 The man stands up immediately and holds out his hand. `` Sorry sir, I did n't realize it was you. I've only heard about you from other Pressers.'' The man bows his head in embarrassment. 
 
 `` It's okay Alex, no need to treat me any differently.'' 
 
 Alex lifts his head and nods at Anthony but continues to hold a strict posture. 
 
 `` So what brings the highest ranked presser to this room as a substitute?'' 
 
 Anthony walks over and sits in the chair. The counter is passing 5 sec. Alex tenses up as it approaches 0. Anthony watches, unflinching, as the *ding* rings, resetting the counter at 60. 
 
 `` Do you ever think about why you signed up to do this?'' Anthony asks, watching the counter. 
 
 Alex steps next to Anthony. `` What do you mean? Did we really have a choice?'' 
 
 Anthony continues to stare intensively at the counter. `` You're right. We were the top pressers back in cycle 0. Playing a stupid game, just hoping to be the one to press it at one sec.'' 
 
 Alex turns his attention to the counter. `` It was different back then. That game was about resisting touching the button until the last moment.'' He looks at the button on the desk. `` Now we have to be ready to press the button to save the world from an early restart.'' 
 
 `` I'll never forget those first few cycles. Chaos. War. Death. Revival!'' Anthony says, emphasizing the last word. The counter drips to 3 sec. Alex tenses up again just as the *ding* goes off. `` Did you ever die during those times?'' 
 
 Alex looks at Anthony, his eyes growing serious. `` No, thankfully. I was in an area that did n't go nuts in the first cycle. I was able to find a safe haven which led me to this job.'' 
 Anthony finally turns away from the counter and stares directly at Alex with a stern look. `` Then answer my first question. Why do you work here?'' 
 
 Alex takes a step back. `` Oh right, sorry. Well, when the Presser's organization found me, I took their tests to confirm my pressing time. They determined that I was needed for the job because of my high reaction times. I felt like I had to take the job. Like it was my duty.'' 
 
 Anthony stands up. `` And you chose this eternal hell over an immortal one?'' Anthony steps closer to Alex. `` You enjoy working in 8 hour rotations, for 15 years until the reset and then finding your way back here to do it again? Just to sit in one of hundreds of identical rooms? How can you accept that?'' 
 
 `` Because if it were n't for us, the billions of people out there would n't be able to enjoy theirs. If it were n't for so many groups trying to end cycles early to reset their mistakes, we would n't need this fail safe!'' 
 
 Anthony drops back into the chair and stares back at the counter. *Ding*. The noise causes Alex to jump. 
 
 `` 8 million users. 59 sec each. 15 years. Over and Over.'' Anthony turns to Alex again. His face seems whiter than before. `` Do you believe in magic?'' 
 
 Alex eyes widen in surprise. `` Magic? Sir, are you okay? You've been acting strange since you came in.'' 
 
 Anthony looks down at the ground. `` I just do n't get it. Why are we accepting this life? We're being controlled by a damn button.'' 
 
 Alex puts his hand on Anthony's shoulder. `` Sir, I think you just need a break. The cycle will be resetting fairly soon. Take a couple years off. Sure, you might lose a rank or two. But then you can come back to where you belong.'' 
 
 Anthony brushes Alex's hand off his shoulder and stands up. He smiles and puts his hand on Alex's shoulder. `` Thanks bud. You seem like a good guy. But it's too late for that now.'' 
 
 Alex gives Anthony a questioning look. `` What do you mean?'' 
 
 The computer *dings*. A loud explosion goes off in the distance causing the whole room to shake. Alex uses Anthony to stay stable, who stands unfazed. 
 
 `` What's happening?, Alex yells. 
 
 `` Freedom,'' he responds. 
 
 `` Freedom from what?'' 
 
 Anthony walks over to the computer. `` From this.'' 
 
 Alex steps next to Anthony. `` How? By blowing stuff up? We tried shutting down all electronics back in cycle 14. We know that does n't stop the reset!'' 
 
 `` It's much larger scale than that,'' Anthony responds, excitement growing in his eyes. 
 *Ding! * Another explosion, closer this time, rocks the building. 
 
 `` Only two more dings until it's our turn to go.'' 
 
 Color disappears from Alex's face. `` Why?'' 
 
 `` Back in Cycle 4, I was in a much different place. Running from the Presser's organization, I spent all my money on drugs and spent each of those first 15 years messed up. A never ending party.'' Anthony stands up. `` That was, until money ran low. People found out that if they died, they'd revive at the next cycle, so they took more risks. I had a large stash at my house. People raided it and I got shot.'' 
 
 Alex face lights up, `` And then you decided right then and there that you wanted to follow the path of the presser, you were thankfully saved, and ended up here, becoming a legend!'' 
 
 Anthony runs his hand a long the computer screen. `` No, I died.'' Anthony drops his hand to his side and looks to Alex. `` I died, and felt freedom. No longer did we live, waiting for the cycle to reset and start all over again. Alex, we're almost 4 centuries old and we spend every day waiting to push a button. That does n't sound wrong?'' 
 
 `` Like I said, we do n't have a choice. This is what we're stuck with.'' 
 
 Anthony clinches his fist. `` No, we do have a choice. And I choose not to be ruled by a button!'' Anthony punches through the computer screen. It shatters, but it still emits a *ding*. Another explosion rocks the building. 
 
 Alex falls from the closer explosion, landing on his back. He sits up groaning. 
 
 `` It's impossible! We're just going to wake back up on April 1st, 2015!'' 
 
 Anthony grins at Alex, blood seeping from cuts on his fist. `` We may have found a way.'' 
 
 `` We?'' 
 
 `` Back in cycle 5, when I was revived, I set out to find a way for everyone to feel the freedom I felt. I tried preaching to the masses but no one would listen. Until one day, a man approached me. There was a group who decided to use these cycles to research a way to end it. Their plan was to blow up the Earth.'' 
 
 Alex's eyes widen. `` That's impossible!'' 
 
 `` Anything is possible when you have eternal life. And the plan is happening right now.'' 
 
 The cracked screen flickered. The counter reaching 15 sec. 
 
 `` Do you really think it'll work?'' Alex asks, staring at the ground. 
 
 `` It depends, do you believe in magic?'' 
 
 Alex's eyes fill with tears. `` Freedom does n't sound too bad.'' 
 
 *Ding! * 
 
 

