Eunice shops obsessively. In a society in which Credit is the basis for exclusion, especially of nonwhite, non-Asian citizens who were not wealthy before America’s sink in power, shopping is nonetheless an obsession. Because of Lenny’s high credit ranking, he is an easy target for “the Debt Bombers” (205). Lenny does not care about clothing, but Eunice does; she helps him to see why clothing matters to her.

Lenny learns, after buying new clothing at the United Nations Retail Corridor, that he can “[pass] for a man” (210). Although his credit, which is his security, takes a hit, the intoxicating feeling of being more worthy of Eunice’s love is a feeling that merits the downgrade. The empowerment that clothing brings, and the way that it can obscure reality, gives a glimpse into Eunice’s mind: although she almost always occupies her time by looking at AssLuxury, a shopping sight on her äppärät, the endless pursuit of new clothing is also the endless pursuit of worthiness.

There is a culture that builds around clothing that creates its own language. Shopping with Eunice, Lenny notices that discussing clothes creates “intimacy” (208) between Eunice and the retail associate. Even with Grillbitch and Sally, clothing is a form of intimacy, and of shared interest, that connects people who are otherwise separated.