Standard Loneliness Package

In the dystopian world of this story, technology enables the rich to offload any unpleasant, difficult, or painful moment in their lives. Those who can afford it never have to experience a root canal, funeral, or breakup ever again. The main character works for an “emotional engineering firm” where he “feel[s] pain for money. Other people’s pain. Physical, emotional, you name it.” This fierce satire explores themes of class stratification and worker exploitation.