Among the many mysteries that permeate the halls of Lumon in Severance, a small glass object stands out for its apparent simplicity—and the discomfort it provokes because of that simplicity: Mark’s glass cube. Introduced subtly early in the series, the trophy displays the protagonist’s face along with the inscription “Mark S. Allentown,” yet none of the characters reveal exactly what it represents. Dylan, for example, makes it clear that the item is not part of the standard refinement rewards, ” such as the Chinese finger trap or the Waffle Party.
Though it may appear to be just a decorative piece, the cube holds deep connections to Mark’s journey and subtly reveals how Lumon rewards—and manipulates—its employees. But what is the true meaning of Mark’s glass cube in Severance? And why is this trophy tied to Gemma’s pain?
Where Did Mark’s Glass Head Cube in Severance Come From?
The cube first appears in the early episodes, during Lumon’s award presentation for Helly. In that moment, Dylan briefly mentions that the glass cube isn’t a standard prize and that it was given to Mark for a specific reason. He calls it the result of a “Freshman Fluke,” a term never fully explained but roughly translates to beginner’s luck.
The inscription itself—”Mark S. Allentown”—suggests that the object is connected to a data file refined by Mark, known as Allentown. Although the series never confirms this origin directly, the most accepted fan theory is that Mark received the cube as recognition for completing that file exceptionally fast during his first year at Lumon. This accomplishment—the so-called “Freshman Fluke”—was so rare that it inspired the creation of a custom trophy bearing his face and the name of the file.
What Is Mark’s “Freshman Fluke”
Dylan explains the origin of Mark’s trophy to Helly (episode 2×01).
The phrase “Freshman Fluke” isn’t common in English, but it implies a stroke of luck experienced by a newcomer. In the Severance universe, it describes an alleged feat by Mark: he refined the Allentown file in record time during his first year at Lumon.
This explanation was provided by the show’s creator, Dan Erickson, in an interview with Variety. According to him, Mark’s performance on this file was so extraordinary that Lumon started reviewing its methods based on what he did. Although the series does not show these details directly, everything suggests that the completion of the Allentown file was so unusual that it led to the creation of a special trophy—the glass cube. The decision to highlight “Allentown” on the object itself reinforces this interpretation.
Comparing It to Dylan’s Cube
In the final episode of Season 1, Dylan also receives a glass cube. Before the Waffle Party, Milchick hands it to him and explains that Dylan personally selected the elements inside the cube. Among them, we see representations of his macrodata team.
The moment Dylan receives the cube marks the beginning of one of the most mysterious events in the series.
Read more: Waffle Party in Severance: Lumon’s Most Disturbing Ritual
This shows that Lumon doesn’t hand out standardized glass cubes—it customizes each one based on the experiences or achievements of each employee. Applying the same logic to Mark’s cube, we can conclude that his image and the reference to “Allentown” were also added for specific reasons—perhaps as a symbolic recognition of his so-called “feat.”
The Connection to the Allentown Room and Gemma’s Pain
Gemma in the experiments in episode 2×07.
In Season 2, we learn that the files refined by the macrodata team correspond to developing consciousnesses within Lumon. This becomes clearer in the case of Gemma, Mark’s wife. Furthermore, we don’t know whether other people also had their consciousnesses created.
Read more about Mark’s wife Gemma in her dedicated episode:
Severance 2×07: Chikhai Bardo
In episode 7 of Season 2, Gemma is taken to a room called Allentown. There, she is forced to repeatedly write Christmas cards—a task she clearly loathed in her former life. The revelation is disturbing: Mark may have triggered this experience by refining the Allentown file.
In other words, the cube celebrating his achievement also carries the weight of a potential connection to his wife’s suffering within the company’s structure. The irony is brutal.
Conclusion
Mark’s glass cube is more than a mysterious decorative item in the staged world of Severance. It’s a symbol of how Lumon turns achievements into tools of control, rewarding ethically hollow feats with prizes loaded with hidden meaning. The “Allentown” inscription comes to represent not just a technical accomplishment, but a profound emotional wound.
Like many other details in the series, the cube is never openly explained. But if you look closely, it reveals far more than it seems. And perhaps that’s Lumon’s true motto: the more you refine, the more you lose yourself.
Reference: Variety, “Severance Team Answers Burning Questions From the Premiere,” 02/18/2022.
