Chekhov's gun
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Narrative elements should be essential; anything extraneous must be removed.
In context
This law belongs with Murphy's Laws, where small assumptions, timing, and system complexity tend to turn into memorable failures.
Editorial note
A conspicuous story element creates an expectation that it matters; removing unused setup keeps the narrative focused.
Practical example: If a prototype introduces a broken alarm in the first scene, the final story either uses it or cuts it.
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