That was a clever and enjoyable story. Almost to the end, where it hinged on a Ouija board being an effective and reliable communication device with the dead. Then the story and all its cleverness broke down. So close.
Indeed, I've been wondering what could be an alternative deus ex machina.
I wonder if they considered how to isolate the test variables. They seem to be testing if a Ouija board works, and if life is better than death.