Possible Clues:

• Capital punishment
• The cost of dying is the ultimate punishment
• Life partner gets fine - it's the severest of punishments for someone who's going to be late
• Ultimate punishment has nothing to do with the cost of life
• Execution of play at the end with a twist
• What might mean the end for telepathy and modelling?
• Punishment used most often, worldwide, by China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S.
• The final sentence