Summary

The novella “Bounty” takes place in a dystopian future in the United States. Humanity has experienced multiple events of mass death—caused by pollution and/or disease—and while there are still many living humans, society is often dangerous and unstable. Also, much of the economy has collapsed, and poverty is widespread. There are many humans who have been born with visible genetic mutations. These humans are label as ‘Flawed,’ and society severely discriminates against them. At the beginning of the story, the government rules that Flawed humans are no longer allowed to procreate. The protagonist, Cole, is a 30-year-old Flawed man. Cole’s mutation is that he has claws instead of toes. He is one of many Flawed, live-in employees at a medieval-themed amusement park. The Flawed employees perform difficult menial tasks. They also dress up as medieval peasants and humiliate themselves...