The game's title suggested I needed to go left immediately (the factory is behind ME) and defy the training we've all had in video games since Super Mario Bros on the NES. Doing so causes the screen to do an upward swipe transition to... the same screen, minus the character. Going right doesn't bring the character back, and clicking doesn't do anything either.
Beat it a few minutes later - I appreciate a game that respects my time, so thank you for keeping things moving.