Bargain Basement
In a peculiar bargain basement beneath a restaurant, Jack Hanshaw discovers a store selling futuristic items at absurdly low prices. Accompanied by his roommate Ken, Jack attempts to return a malfunctioning television set he bought for just two dollars. The store's clerk, Edigo Adaman, reveals that the basement exists in a time fault, allowing people from the future to sell goods to those in the present. Jack learns that the low prices are due to the future's compound interest on deposits made in their bank account. As Jack and Ken explore the store, Ken acquires a futuristic car for fifty dollars, further confirming the store's bizarre nature. Jack, feeling competitive over Lorene, the woman they both admire, uses a drug from the future to influence her feelings. This leads to an unexpected marriage, but as the timeline shifts, the basement and its contents begin to vanish, revealing the paradox of their actions. Ultimately, Jack realizes that their choices have altered the future, erasing Edigo and the store's existence. Despite the chaos, Jack retains his marriage to Lorene, understanding that their love story is now intertwined with the consequences of their actions in the bargain basement. The narrative explores themes of time, choice, and the complexities of relationships.
By Charles L. Fontenay · First published 1957 · Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller, Adventure · 5,905 words
First lines
_How could it give away such buys? Very easy -- by doing a business in pennies and a profit in billions! _
Jack Hanshaw was madder than a wet hen and his roommate, Ken Adaman, was enjoying his misfortune hugely.
What this Textopian page supports
Bargain Basement is listed on Textopian as a novel by Charles L. Fontenay, dated 1957 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Charles L. Fontenay
- Date: 1957 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Thriller, Adventure, Dystopian, Action
- Length: 5,905 words
- Structure: 1 section, 187 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Bargain Basement by Charles L. Fontenay
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The book is set in a post-apocalyptic future, showcasing various scientific advancements, making it primary a science fiction.
- Thriller — The presence of suspenseful and intense moments throughout the book classifies it under the thriller genre.
- Adventure — The protagonist's journey through a post-apocalyptic world, encountering various challenges and threats, makes the book an adventure story.
- Dystopian — The book's depiction of a post-apocalyptic future where society has fundamentally broken down, fits the dystopian genre.
Tags
science fiction · dystopia · satire · social commentary · consumerism · humor · adventure · surrealism · character-driven · dark comedy · futuristic · philosophical