The scene reveals a haunting moment where the smoke detectors continue to sound alarms, unaffected by external circumstances. Their battery-powered nature symbolizes perseverance and the lingering presence of technology, even when human life has ceased. This resilience of machines highlights the disparity between life and the continuing routine of devices that serve to protect.
The quote also draws a parallel between the functionality of smoke detectors and a record that can still play on, despite the absence of the musicians. It evokes the idea that art and technology can outlive their creators, resonating with the themes of permanence and the enduring nature of sound and memory, even in the face of tragedy.