Carl's Doomsday Scenario

Donut’s fan box contains a framed photograph of Bea, which, though of little plot significance, is crucial for both characters. Bea’s photograph symbolizes Donut’s naivety, her continued devotion to her former owner, Bea, and her denial that Bea is dead. Donut constantly professes her love and loyalty to Bea, reminiscing about their time together. She seems naively unaware of Beas’s flaws, which Carl recalls in his internal monologue, including the implication that Bea intended to abandon Donut. As she reveals in Chapter 19 during the Danger Zone with Ripper Wonton show, she claims that not only will she and Carl find Bea, but they “will work together. It will be like before” (248). Donut’s joy upon receiving the photo of Bee demonstrates her willful blindness to Carl’s feelings about Bea’s betrayal, and the likelihood that Bea is dead.

The photograph also symbolizes the cruel, trolling behavior of their followers and the audience in general. The audience knows about Carl’s past with Bea and his feelings on the matter. It is clear, as Mordecai warns, that some of their followers intentionally vote on items meant to mock, taunt, or upset Carl.