Trying to remember an old story

[LegalFuzz]

Posted by
u/LegalFuzz

5 days ago


Trying to track down an old story



I'm trying to track down a sci-fi story I read in an anthology or
collection in the late 60s/early 70s. I don't know the
author or the title, but I recall the plot and I'm pretty sure it was in an
anthology or short story collection, and that the anthologist or author
was one of the biggies at the time: Asimov, Niven, Ellison or someone of
that stature.
The opening paragraphs, written I believe in the third person, described
the protagonist as walking down a street and musing about the various
entertainment options available to him. There was a new establishment
that had a supposedly wonderful new drug to try, and other options of
that nature. The protagonist didn't work - didn't have to in fact -
because he was a registered voter, and politicians vied for votes by
providing income and these entertainment venues (which were clearly
meant to be futuristic versions of opium dens) to those lucky enough to
be voters.
Ring any bells? I'd sure like to buy the book that this story was in,
or at least know the name and author of it.

 

[Rodders]

Sounds like something that Philip K. Dick would’ve written.

 

[Vince W]

Two thoughts. It might have been Samuel Delany, so you could check out his Aye, and Gamorrah anthology. Also, take a look at the Harlan Ellison anthology Dangerous Visions.

 

[LegalFuzz]

Thank you both. Tracking down copies of those now. If this rings a bell with anyone else, I'd appreciate knowing.