Yay for a transactional/barter economy! I like your characters here, and how Ellis has found happiness and purpose in the current situation, even if it is not what have once been considered ideal. It seems to mirror a bit the decisions people are already making now in present time/space, where the gig economy remains in swing and folks are putting off having kids or buying homes - in part because things are crap, but in part, too, because happiness can be found outside of the status quo.