When God Laughs and Other Stories

Set in a dystopian 2072, the narrative follows James Howard Smith, one of the last survivors in a world ravaged by the scarlet plague. As he faces his impending death, he seeks to pass on essential knowledge and wisdom to his grandsons. The story explores a deeply stratified society with a hereditary underclass, where the political landscape has transformed into an oligarchy. The remnants of technology, such as commercial airship lines, highlight the stark contrast between the wealthy elite and the struggling masses.