“The computer might decide you didn’t really want neutral, and not give it to you.” Exactly. It will not give you reverse, if you are driving forward, too fast(a safety feature)
“The gear knob on a Prius isn’t attached to the transmission. It is simply an input to the computer.” Exactly. There’re 12-14 computers in the prius, in reality most of them are “microcontrollers”.
“It has a push button starter.” The Pruis has no starter, you push “ON” the start button. This powers up all the computers, you step on the accelerator and either the engine or the batteries move the car forward or backward
“They lock when you remove the key.” The electronic key stays in your purse or pocket, you approach the driver’s side door and it unlocks the door.
These Hybrid cars are unlike anything you have ever seen.
The textbook answer is: 1) Select Neutral, 2) Push and hold the Start Button for 3-5 seconds If that fails, then it’s time for “Jesus to take the wheel”!
I suspect you drive a Prius since you know way too much about them. This begs the question, what self respecting cowgirl drives a Prius? :-)
Needs to have the tires loaded with a small charge of high energy explosives so you can blow all four off using an in-cabin voice command. Like: "Eject!" (don't say it by accident).