“Hurry! If we don’t get there in time they’ll be sold out!” the plaintive teenage voice cut through the daydream in the most annoying of ways.
“It’s not the end of the world you know.”
“But dad, you know I’m on the monthly plan!”
“One day without that device won’t kill you.”
The lip quivered.
“Dad? Didn’t you read the fine print? If. If. If we don’t buy a new month, I’ll be terminated.”
“So your device will be shut off, no worries.”
“No dad. It’s in the fine print. I will be terminated. It’s an agreement to ensure customers pay their balance on time! It’s supposed to deter late payments!”
“You’re pulling my leg.” he couldn’t believe such a contract could exist let alone be legal.
“Dad, hurry! We have to purchase another month!”
He rolled his eyes at the teen angst, he didn’t see what the big deal was.
They eventually arrived at the calendar shop, he thought that was a laugh, and watched his teen rush inside in a panic.
He stifled a chuckle and walked in.
“But I’m here, I can buy another month! I still have twelve hours of February left!” he heard his child protest.
“I’m sorry, but we’re fresh out of March.” the cashier cheerily stated.
The tears began, “B-but I had plans for Saturday! I need that month!”
“If you’d upgraded to our year or decade plan when it was offered, I might be able to help. I’m sorry.” still cheerful, but beckoning to the store manager.
“I don’t see why you would have to change your plans just because your mobile has no more time.” he tried dadding the situation, and then felt hands pulling him aside.
“Sir, CalendarCo policy is for those who don’t purchase another month will be terminated. Please stand over here.”
“What do you mean, we’ll just wait until more become available.”
“Sir, when you run out of time you have no more time. I’m sorry, we will liquidate your child in twelve hours. Please don’t resist. And remember, keep all your time with CalendarCo.”
Then he noticed the kill droids hovering around them.
You do chilling very well.
If you can prove when that was written, you should be able to get some money from that JT movie. I can’t remember the name of it, but the upshot was the wealthy could buy more time and live, essentially, forever, but the poor just died when their clocks ran out.
Every day could be your last ...