In "Lock In" by John Scalzi, a character named Vann makes a shocking reference, asking if someone mentioned his disturbing act of setting puppies on fire. This statement highlights the dark humor often found in the narrative and serves to reveal Vann's character, suggesting he has a twisted sense of morality that contrasts sharply with the more serious themes of the story.
The exchange underscores the complexities of the characters and the environment they inhabit. The implication that such horrendous acts could be casually mentioned or implied mirrors the tension between the mundane and the horrific within the plot, ultimately enhancing the reader's understanding of the moral ambiguity present in the world Scalzi has created.