[felixyz]

Excellent! This scenario has a precursor in Philip K. Dick's "Ubik" (1969). It's just a sub-plot there, but the parallels are striking.

[j0hnyl]

He has had this theme in multiple works, the idea of paying your door to open was so on point. I think of it all the time when I see things like auto makers charging subscription fees for remote start, etc.