Cost of Living

"Cost of Living" by Robert Sheckley is a science fiction tale that paints a picture of a future world overflowing with advanced technology, where people enjoy extravagant comforts, but at the steep price of overwhelming debt. The story centers on Carrin, a man facing the unsettling suicide of his neighbor, Miller, who appeared to have it all, while also dreading a visit from the Avignon Electric finance man. With over two hundred thousand dollars in debt, Carrin is trapped in a cycle of acquiring possessions to maintain a certain image. As he navigates conversations with his family and the persistent finance man, the story highlights the immense pressure to keep up appearances and the emotional strain of living in a society where happiness is measured by material wealth, ultimately questioning the true meaning of life and contentment in a world dominated by technology.