The £1,000,000 bank-note, and other new stories

"The £1,000,000 Bank-Note" by Mark Twain is a compilation of short stories that tells of an American clerk, who unexpectedly receives a million-pound bank-note, and finds himself shipwrecked in London. Penniless and skeptical, the main character uses the wealth to explore topics such as reputation and class. The story follows his journey through London society, showing how the mere perception of wealth shapes interactions and reveals insights into the nature of worth, social status, wealth, and human nature. This leads to a series of humorous but thoughtful adventures, colored with satire and highlighting the contrasts between the rich and poor.