the saddest song you know plays slower than you remember
****** kittens, bruised dogs, or gaunt children flash across the screen
a celebrity looks at you with a pleading expression, but their eyes are empty
they tell you "for just ten dollars a month, you can make a difference"

then

you stand and get your credit card before picking up the phone
your eager fingers dial the number on the screen quickly
you give the operator all of your information
you finally slouch back in your chair, feeling immense relief

except

you never got your credit card
you never dialed the number
you never spoke to the operator
you just sat in your chair and continued to stare at the television

because

the commercials don't work
the advertisements don't work
humans choose oblivion over consciousness even when reality is right in front of their faces