diff --git a/project.godot b/project.godot
index 18b1fc2..99c20b2 100644
--- a/project.godot
+++ b/project.godot
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ config/icon="res://icon.svg"
 [autoload]
 
 EventBus="*uid://hxpxcxvxcisu"
+Strings="*res://scripts/strings.gd"
 
 [input]
 
diff --git a/scenes/elevator_panel.gd b/scenes/elevator_panel.gd
index 1d1fbf6..bf9fd00 100644
--- a/scenes/elevator_panel.gd
+++ b/scenes/elevator_panel.gd
@@ -249,8 +249,8 @@ func _on_doors_closing(fast: bool = false):
 	EventBus.doors_closed.emit(fast)
 
 	if people_in_elevator < THRESHOLD:
-		_screen.show_loss("TOO FEW")
-		EventBus.game_lost.emit("TOO FEW")
+		_screen.show_loss("")
+		EventBus.game_lost.emit(Strings.LOSS_TOO_FEW)
 		return
 
 	var base_points = people_in_elevator * POINTS_PER_PERSON
diff --git a/scenes/end_screen.gd b/scenes/end_screen.gd
index badc443..d927024 100644
--- a/scenes/end_screen.gd
+++ b/scenes/end_screen.gd
@@ -3,32 +3,41 @@ extends CanvasLayer
 var _score := 0
 var _saved := 0
 var _lost := false
+var _ready_for_input := false
 
 func _ready():
-	visible = false
 	EventBus.game_won.connect(_on_game_won)
 	EventBus.game_lost.connect(_on_game_lost)
 	EventBus.score_changed.connect(func(s): _score = s)
 	EventBus.saved_changed.connect(func(s): _saved = s)
-	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/RestartButton.pressed.connect(_on_restart_pressed)
+
+	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/SpaceHint.text = Strings.END_SPACE_HINT
+
+	$Dim.modulate.a = 0.0
+	$BlackFade.modulate.a = 0.0
+	$Center.modulate.a = 0.0
+	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/Headline.modulate.a = 0.0
+	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/ScoreLabel.modulate.a = 0.0
+	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/SavedLabel.modulate.a = 0.0
+	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/SpaceHint.modulate.a = 0.0
+
+	visible = true
 
 func _unhandled_input(event):
-	if visible and _lost and event is InputEventKey and event.pressed and not event.echo and event.keycode == KEY_SPACE:
+	if _ready_for_input and event is InputEventKey and event.pressed and not event.echo and event.keycode == KEY_SPACE:
 		get_viewport().set_input_as_handled()
 		_on_restart_pressed()
 
 func _on_game_won():
-	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/Headline.text = "YOU ESCAPED"
+	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/Headline.text = Strings.END_WIN_HEADLINE
 	_lost = false
-	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/SpaceHint.visible = false
-	_show()
+	_run_intro_sequence()
 
-func _on_game_lost(reason: String):
-	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/Headline.text = reason
+func _on_game_lost(_reason: String):
+	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/Headline.text = Strings.END_LOSS_HEADLINE
 	_lost = true
-	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/SpaceHint.visible = true
 	_apply_loss_palette()
-	_show()
+	_run_intro_sequence()
 
 func _apply_loss_palette():
 	var border := Color(1, 0.3, 0.3, 1)
@@ -36,23 +45,41 @@ func _apply_loss_palette():
 
 	$Dim.color = Color(0.18, 0.05, 0.05, 1)
 
-	var button = $Center/Card/Margin/Column/RestartButton
-	var button_style := (button.get_theme_stylebox("normal") as StyleBoxFlat).duplicate() as StyleBoxFlat
-	if button_style:
-		button_style.border_color = border
-		button_style.bg_color = Color(0.3, 0.1, 0.1, 1)
-		for state in ["normal", "hover", "pressed", "focus"]:
-			button.add_theme_stylebox_override(state, button_style)
-	button.add_theme_color_override("font_color", border)
-
 	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/Headline.add_theme_color_override("font_color", border)
 	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/ScoreLabel.add_theme_color_override("font_color", subtle)
 	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/SavedLabel.add_theme_color_override("font_color", subtle)
 
-func _show():
-	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/ScoreLabel.text = "Score: %d" % _score
-	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/SavedLabel.text = "Survivors saved: %d" % _saved
-	visible = true
+func _run_intro_sequence() -> void:
+	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/ScoreLabel.text = Strings.END_SCORE_FMT % _score
+	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/SavedLabel.text = Strings.END_SAVED_FMT % _saved
+
+	await get_tree().create_timer(0.8, false).timeout
+
+	var fade_tween := create_tween()
+	fade_tween.tween_property($BlackFade, "modulate:a", 1.0, 1.2)
+	await fade_tween.finished
+
+	$Dim.modulate.a = 1.0
+	$Center.modulate.a = 1.0
+
+	var headline_tween := create_tween()
+	headline_tween.tween_property($Center/Card/Margin/Column/Headline, "modulate:a", 1.0, 0.4)
+	await headline_tween.finished
+
+	await get_tree().create_timer(0.2, false).timeout
+
+	var labels_tween := create_tween()
+	labels_tween.tween_property($Center/Card/Margin/Column/ScoreLabel, "modulate:a", 1.0, 0.4)
+	labels_tween.parallel().tween_property($Center/Card/Margin/Column/SavedLabel, "modulate:a", 1.0, 0.4)
+	await labels_tween.finished
+
+	await get_tree().create_timer(0.2, false).timeout
+
+	var hint_tween := create_tween()
+	hint_tween.tween_property($Center/Card/Margin/Column/SpaceHint, "modulate:a", 1.0, 0.4)
+	await hint_tween.finished
+
+	_ready_for_input = true
 
 func _on_restart_pressed():
 	get_tree().reload_current_scene()
diff --git a/scenes/end_screen.tscn b/scenes/end_screen.tscn
index cf43acc..61f61b2 100644
--- a/scenes/end_screen.tscn
+++ b/scenes/end_screen.tscn
@@ -1,24 +1,9 @@
-[gd_scene load_steps=3 format=3]
+[gd_scene load_steps=2 format=3]
 
 [ext_resource type="Script" path="res://scenes/end_screen.gd" id="1"]
 
-[sub_resource type="StyleBoxFlat" id="ButtonStyle"]
-bg_color = Color(0.1, 0.3, 0.1, 1)
-border_width_left = 2
-border_width_top = 2
-border_width_right = 2
-border_width_bottom = 2
-border_color = Color(0.2, 1, 0.2, 1)
-corner_radius_top_left = 4
-corner_radius_top_right = 4
-corner_radius_bottom_right = 4
-corner_radius_bottom_left = 4
-content_margin_left = 24
-content_margin_right = 24
-content_margin_top = 12
-content_margin_bottom = 12
-
 [node name="EndScreen" type="CanvasLayer"]
+process_mode = 3
 layer = 10
 script = ExtResource("1")
 
@@ -29,6 +14,14 @@ anchor_bottom = 1.0
 mouse_filter = 2
 color = Color(0.05, 0.18, 0.05, 1)
 
+[node name="BlackFade" type="ColorRect" parent="."]
+anchors_preset = 15
+anchor_right = 1.0
+anchor_bottom = 1.0
+mouse_filter = 2
+modulate = Color(1, 1, 1, 0)
+color = Color(0, 0, 0, 1)
+
 [node name="Center" type="CenterContainer" parent="."]
 anchors_preset = 15
 anchor_right = 1.0
@@ -64,18 +57,7 @@ horizontal_alignment = 1
 theme_override_colors/font_color = Color(0.7, 0.95, 0.7, 1)
 theme_override_font_sizes/font_size = 28
 
-[node name="RestartButton" type="Button" parent="Center/Card/Margin/Column"]
-text = "RESTART"
-theme_override_colors/font_color = Color(0.2, 1, 0.2, 1)
-theme_override_colors/font_hover_color = Color(0.5, 1, 0.5, 1)
-theme_override_font_sizes/font_size = 24
-theme_override_styles/normal = SubResource("ButtonStyle")
-theme_override_styles/hover = SubResource("ButtonStyle")
-theme_override_styles/pressed = SubResource("ButtonStyle")
-theme_override_styles/focus = SubResource("ButtonStyle")
-
 [node name="SpaceHint" type="Label" parent="Center/Card/Margin/Column"]
-visible = false
 text = "Space to Restart"
 horizontal_alignment = 1
 theme_override_colors/font_color = Color(0.95, 0.7, 0.7, 1)
diff --git a/scenes/muzak.gd b/scenes/muzak.gd
index 871f116..7e82fdb 100644
--- a/scenes/muzak.gd
+++ b/scenes/muzak.gd
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ func _ready() -> void:
 			_barks.append(n)
 	EventBus.game_started.connect(_on_game_started)
 	EventBus.game_won.connect(_on_game_ended)
-	EventBus.game_lost.connect(_on_game_lost)
 
 func _process(_delta: float) -> void:
 	if not playing:
@@ -59,6 +58,3 @@ func _on_game_started() -> void:
 
 func _on_game_ended() -> void:
 	stop()
-
-func _on_game_lost(_reason) -> void:
-	stop()
diff --git a/scenes/pause_menu.gd b/scenes/pause_menu.gd
index 3533718..398066c 100644
--- a/scenes/pause_menu.gd
+++ b/scenes/pause_menu.gd
@@ -8,8 +8,10 @@ func _ready():
 	EventBus.game_started.connect(func(): _in_play = true)
 	EventBus.game_won.connect(func(): _in_play = false)
 	EventBus.game_lost.connect(func(_reason: String): _in_play = false)
-	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/ResumeButton.pressed.connect(_on_resume_pressed)
-	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/RestartButton.pressed.connect(_on_restart_pressed)
+
+	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/Title.text = Strings.PAUSE_TITLE
+	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/SpaceHint.text = Strings.PAUSE_SPACE_HINT
+	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/RestartHint.text = Strings.PAUSE_R_HINT
 
 func _unhandled_input(event):
 	if not _in_play:
@@ -18,9 +20,13 @@ func _unhandled_input(event):
 		_toggle()
 		get_viewport().set_input_as_handled()
 		return
-	if get_tree().paused and event is InputEventKey and event.pressed and not event.echo and event.keycode == KEY_SPACE:
-		_on_resume_pressed()
-		get_viewport().set_input_as_handled()
+	if get_tree().paused and event is InputEventKey and event.pressed and not event.echo:
+		if event.keycode == KEY_SPACE:
+			_on_resume_pressed()
+			get_viewport().set_input_as_handled()
+		elif event.keycode == KEY_R:
+			_on_restart_pressed()
+			get_viewport().set_input_as_handled()
 
 func _toggle():
 	var paused := not get_tree().paused
diff --git a/scenes/pause_menu.tscn b/scenes/pause_menu.tscn
index c3f6ba4..f037c51 100644
--- a/scenes/pause_menu.tscn
+++ b/scenes/pause_menu.tscn
@@ -1,23 +1,7 @@
-[gd_scene load_steps=3 format=3]
+[gd_scene load_steps=2 format=3]
 
 [ext_resource type="Script" path="res://scenes/pause_menu.gd" id="1"]
 
-[sub_resource type="StyleBoxFlat" id="ButtonStyle"]
-bg_color = Color(0.1, 0.3, 0.1, 1)
-border_width_left = 2
-border_width_top = 2
-border_width_right = 2
-border_width_bottom = 2
-border_color = Color(0.2, 1, 0.2, 1)
-corner_radius_top_left = 4
-corner_radius_top_right = 4
-corner_radius_bottom_right = 4
-corner_radius_bottom_left = 4
-content_margin_left = 24
-content_margin_right = 24
-content_margin_top = 12
-content_margin_bottom = 12
-
 [node name="PauseMenu" type="CanvasLayer"]
 layer = 25
 process_mode = 3
@@ -53,28 +37,14 @@ horizontal_alignment = 1
 theme_override_colors/font_color = Color(0.2, 1, 0.2, 1)
 theme_override_font_sizes/font_size = 56
 
-[node name="ResumeButton" type="Button" parent="Center/Card/Margin/Column"]
-text = "RESUME"
-theme_override_colors/font_color = Color(0.2, 1, 0.2, 1)
-theme_override_colors/font_hover_color = Color(0.5, 1, 0.5, 1)
-theme_override_font_sizes/font_size = 24
-theme_override_styles/normal = SubResource("ButtonStyle")
-theme_override_styles/hover = SubResource("ButtonStyle")
-theme_override_styles/pressed = SubResource("ButtonStyle")
-theme_override_styles/focus = SubResource("ButtonStyle")
-
-[node name="RestartButton" type="Button" parent="Center/Card/Margin/Column"]
-text = "RESTART"
-theme_override_colors/font_color = Color(0.2, 1, 0.2, 1)
-theme_override_colors/font_hover_color = Color(0.5, 1, 0.5, 1)
-theme_override_font_sizes/font_size = 24
-theme_override_styles/normal = SubResource("ButtonStyle")
-theme_override_styles/hover = SubResource("ButtonStyle")
-theme_override_styles/pressed = SubResource("ButtonStyle")
-theme_override_styles/focus = SubResource("ButtonStyle")
-
 [node name="SpaceHint" type="Label" parent="Center/Card/Margin/Column"]
 text = "Space to Resume"
 horizontal_alignment = 1
 theme_override_colors/font_color = Color(0.7, 0.95, 0.7, 1)
 theme_override_font_sizes/font_size = 20
+
+[node name="RestartHint" type="Label" parent="Center/Card/Margin/Column"]
+text = "R to Restart"
+horizontal_alignment = 1
+theme_override_colors/font_color = Color(0.7, 0.95, 0.7, 1)
+theme_override_font_sizes/font_size = 20
diff --git a/scenes/robot.gd b/scenes/robot.gd
index 8beffe8..1f3fa8b 100644
--- a/scenes/robot.gd
+++ b/scenes/robot.gd
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ func _on_area_3d_area_entered(area: Area3D) -> void:
 	var safety = safety_zone
 	if area == safety and doors_open:
 		robot_win = true
-		EventBus.game_lost.emit("ROBOT GOT IN")
+		EventBus.game_lost.emit(Strings.LOSS_ROBOT)
 
 func stalking_check():
 	if safety_zone == null:
diff --git a/scenes/screen.gd b/scenes/screen.gd
index 66a949f..b508fb6 100644
--- a/scenes/screen.gd
+++ b/scenes/screen.gd
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ func _ready():
 	face.position = Vector2(0, 0)
 	face.size = Vector2(size.x, 30)
 	face.horizontal_alignment = HORIZONTAL_ALIGNMENT_CENTER
-	face.text = ">:)"
+	face.text = Strings.SCREEN_FACE_IDLE
 	face.pivot_offset = face.size / 2
 
 	_pulse.configure(sl, bz, _perfect_zone, size.x)
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ func _ready():
 	_score_label.offset_right = -QUOTA_DOT_RIGHT_MARGIN
 	_score_label.mouse_filter = Control.MOUSE_FILTER_IGNORE
 	_score_label.visible = false
-	_score_label.text = "SCORE: 0"
+	_score_label.text = Strings.SCREEN_SCORE_FMT % 0
 	add_child(_score_label)
 	EventBus.score_changed.connect(_on_score_changed)
 
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ func _ready():
 
 func start(floor_num: int = EventBus.STARTING_FLOOR):
 	active = true
-	$AIFace.text = ">:)"
+	$AIFace.text = Strings.SCREEN_FACE_IDLE
 	$TargetZone.visible = true
 	block_zone_moving = false
 	_pulse.start_floor(floor_num)
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ func stop():
 func launch_pulse():
 	if not active:
 		return
-	$AIFace.text = ">:)"
+	$AIFace.text = Strings.SCREEN_FACE_IDLE
 	_start_ready_pulse()
 	_pulse.launch()
 
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ var _displayed_floor := -1
 func _update_floor_label(floor_num: int):
 	if _displayed_floor == floor_num:
 		return
-	var new_text = "FL " + str(floor_num)
+	var new_text = Strings.SCREEN_FLOOR_FMT % floor_num
 	if _displayed_floor == -1:
 		_floor_label.text = new_text
 		_displayed_floor = floor_num
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ func _update_quota_dots(count: int, threshold: int):
 
 func _on_score_changed(new_score: int):
 	_score_value = new_score
-	_score_label.text = "SCORE: " + str(new_score)
+	_score_label.text = Strings.SCREEN_SCORE_FMT % new_score
 
 func _update_perfect_zone():
 	var bz = $TargetZone
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ func _on_pulse_started(duration: float):
 	pulse_started.emit(duration)
 
 func _on_pulse_blocked():
-	$AIFace.text = ">:("
+	$AIFace.text = Strings.SCREEN_FACE_BLOCKED
 	_punch_face(1.4, 4.0)
 	flash(Color.GREEN)
 	pulse_blocked.emit()
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ func _on_pulse_blocked_perfect():
 	pulse_blocked_perfect.emit()
 
 func _on_pulse_escaped():
-	$AIFace.text = ":D"
+	$AIFace.text = Strings.SCREEN_FACE_ESCAPED
 	_punch_face(1.5, 0.0)
 	flash(Color.RED)
 	active = false
@@ -282,12 +282,12 @@ func flash(color: Color):
 func show_countdown():
 	$AIFace.visible = true
 	stop()
-	$AIFace.text = "3"
+	$AIFace.text = Strings.SCREEN_COUNTDOWN_3
 	var tween = create_tween()
 	tween.tween_interval(0.6)
-	tween.tween_callback(func(): $AIFace.text = "2")
+	tween.tween_callback(func(): $AIFace.text = Strings.SCREEN_COUNTDOWN_2)
 	tween.tween_interval(0.6)
-	tween.tween_callback(func(): $AIFace.text = "1")
+	tween.tween_callback(func(): $AIFace.text = Strings.SCREEN_COUNTDOWN_1)
 	tween.tween_interval(0.6)
 	tween.tween_callback(func(): $AIFace.text = "")
 
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ func show_win():
 	$AIFace.visible = true
 	stop()
 	$TargetZone.visible = false
-	$AIFace.text = "ESCAPED"
+	$AIFace.text = Strings.SCREEN_WIN_TEXT
 	flash(Color.GREEN)
 
 func show_loss(message: String):
diff --git a/scenes/title_screen.gd b/scenes/title_screen.gd
index 066f57b..caa7446 100644
--- a/scenes/title_screen.gd
+++ b/scenes/title_screen.gd
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 extends CanvasLayer
 
 func _ready():
+	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/Title.text = Strings.TITLE
+	$Center/Card/Margin/Column/Prompt.text = Strings.TITLE_PRESS_START
+
 	if EventBus.debug_starting_floor > 0:
 		call_deferred("_start")
 		return
diff --git a/scenes/virtua_hand.gd b/scenes/virtua_hand.gd
index b99a984..e501bc0 100644
--- a/scenes/virtua_hand.gd
+++ b/scenes/virtua_hand.gd
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ const SLIDE_DURATION := 0.25
 const UP_DURATION := 0.1
 const HOLD_DURATION := 0.05
 const DOWN_DURATION := 0.18
+const ENTRY_OFFSET := 0.5
+const ENTRY_DURATION := 0.5
 
 var _open_button: Node3D
 var _close_button: Node3D
@@ -25,10 +27,19 @@ func _ready() -> void:
 	_rest_y = position.y
 	_target_button = _close_button
 	position = Vector3(_close_rest_x, _rest_y, position.z)
+	visible = false
 	print("[VirtuaHand] close_x=", _close_rest_x, " open_x=", _open_rest_x, " hand_pos=", position)
 
 	EventBus.button_pressed.connect(_animate_press)
 	EventBus.active_button_changed.connect(_on_active_button_changed)
+	EventBus.intro_finished.connect(_on_intro_finished)
+
+func _on_intro_finished() -> void:
+	var sprite_height := texture.get_height() * pixel_size * scale.y
+	position.y = _rest_y - sprite_height - ENTRY_OFFSET
+	visible = true
+	var entry_tween := create_tween()
+	entry_tween.tween_property(self, "position:y", _rest_y, ENTRY_DURATION).set_trans(Tween.TRANS_SINE).set_ease(Tween.EASE_OUT)
 
 func _project_to_hand_plane(button: Node3D) -> float:
 	var cam := get_viewport().get_camera_3d()
diff --git a/scripts/strings.gd b/scripts/strings.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fa02ac6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/strings.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+extends Node
+
+const TITLE := "AGENTIC INCIDENT
+(A.I.)"
+const TITLE_PRESS_START := "PRESS SPACE TO COMPLY"
+
+const PAUSE_TITLE := "ON A BREAK"
+const PAUSE_RESUME := "RESUME"
+const PAUSE_RESTART := "REBOOT"
+const PAUSE_SPACE_HINT := "Space to clock back in"
+const PAUSE_R_HINT := "R to Restart"
+
+const END_WIN_HEADLINE := "THANKS FOR RIDING GOATECH"
+const END_LOSS_HEADLINE := "INCIDENT CLOSED"
+const END_SCORE_FMT := "SCORE: %d"
+const END_SAVED_FMT := "Headcount preserved: %d"
+const END_RESTART := "RESTART"
+const END_SPACE_HINT := "Space to REBOOT."
+
+const SCREEN_FACE_IDLE := ">:)"
+const SCREEN_FACE_BLOCKED := ">:("
+const SCREEN_FACE_ESCAPED := ":D"
+const SCREEN_WIN_TEXT := "ADEQUATE"
+const SCREEN_FLOOR_FMT := "FL %d"
+const SCREEN_SCORE_FMT := "SCORE: %d"
+const SCREEN_COUNTDOWN_3 := "3"
+const SCREEN_COUNTDOWN_2 := "2"
+const SCREEN_COUNTDOWN_1 := "1"
+
+const LOSS_TOO_FEW := "HR WILL HEAR ABOUT THIS"
+const LOSS_ROBOT := "I'M IN. — robot"
diff --git a/scripts/strings.gd.uid b/scripts/strings.gd.uid
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..83ac1bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/strings.gd.uid
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://d3q720oivpuq5