Digest

This story introduces "Tomorrow's Beautiful Dream," issue 232 of Clarkesworld Magazine, featuring "Tomorrow's Beautiful Dream" by Zhu Zhu. It follows Meng Yuan, a "soul seller" performing dangerous, physically demanding labor on skyscrapers for minimal pay. The narrative details the strict regulations surrounding soul sellers in Kuanzhou and Meng Yuan's recruitment by "Tomorrow's Beautiful Dream." He undergoes an interview and is assigned to "microscopic inspection," involving intense "overclocking" that yields high earnings but causes severe pain. After ten days of relentless work, he's moved to manual assembly, worsening his condition. Suspicious of his deteriorating state, a "black mask" official scrutinizes him. Meng Yuan is tempted by a reward for reporting illegal organizations and attempts to strike a deal with the black mask. He eventually discovers that the "workpieces" are the soul sellers themselves, being exploited to develop new methods of labor extraction. His attempt to report the organization leads to his capture and subsequent assignment to twenty years of "overclocked labor" at the docks. The story concludes with Meng Yuan entering a long trance, with the narrator thanking listeners and providing publication details.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction to Clarkesworld Magazine and "Tomorrow's Beautiful Dream"

This episode of Clarkesworld Magazine (issue 232, January 2026) introduces the story "Tomorrow's Beautiful Dream" by Zhu Zhu, translated by Carmen Yiling Yang, and provides background on the author and translator.

00:01:46

The Life of a Soul Seller: Labor and Exploitation

Meng Yuan works as a physically demanding "soul seller," performing dangerous labor on skyscrapers for low wages. He relies on bio-repair gel and pills to cope with the physical toll and faces strict regulations in Kuanzhou due to past incidents.

00:06:01

Recruitment by "Tomorrow's Beautiful Dream" and the Overclocking Process

Meng Yuan receives an invitation to interview with "Tomorrow's Beautiful Dream." He undergoes an interview and is assigned to "microscopic inspection," a job that requires "overclocking" – pushing his body beyond its limits for increased earnings, despite the intense pain and subsequent need for recovery medication.

00:18:41

Deterioration, Suspicion, and a Desperate Deal

After being moved to manual assembly, Meng Yuan's condition worsens, and he is denied access to his activity data. A "black mask" official notices his decline and becomes suspicious. Tempted by a reward for reporting illegal activities, Meng Yuan attempts to expose "Tomorrow's Beautiful Dream" to the black mask, who agrees to protect him for a share of his earnings.

00:25:57

The Horrifying Truth and Capture

Meng Yuan discovers that "workpieces" are actually soul sellers being processed to develop better exploitation methods. His attempt to report the organization results in his capture by the black mask and patrol cops, who dismiss his claims and sedate him.

00:36:43

Conclusion: Twenty Years of Overclocked Labor

Meng Yuan awakens at a facility and is assigned to twenty years of "overclocked labor" at the docks, with specific parameters for his physical activity and a promise of a future payout. The story concludes with his entry into a long trance, followed by publication details and a farewell.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is a "soul seller" in the context of the story?

  A soul seller is an individual who sells their physical capabilities to corporations for demanding labor, often working in hazardous conditions for low pay. They are subject to strict regulations and can be exploited for their bodily functions.

• What does "overclocking" mean for a soul seller?

  Overclocking refers to pushing a soul seller's body beyond its normal limits for extended periods to maximize work output. While it leads to higher earnings, it causes severe physical pain, exhaustion, and long-term health consequences.

• What is the role of the "trans chip"?

  The trans chip is implanted in a soul seller's neck and contains work instructions. It connects to their nervous system, allowing them to perform tasks in an "entranced" state, often without full consciousness of their actions.

• What is "Tomorrow's Beautiful Dream" and what is its true nature?

  "Tomorrow's Beautiful Dream" is an organization that hires soul sellers. Initially appearing as a job opportunity, it is revealed to be an exploitative entity that pushes workers to extreme limits, using them as "workpieces" to develop advanced exploitation methods.

• How does the story depict the economic disparity in the city?

  The story highlights a stark economic divide between the "upper city" with its skyscrapers and neon lights, and the "low-income district" where soul sellers and the lowest class of society congregate. This disparity fuels the desperation of the soul sellers.

• What is the ultimate fate of Meng Yuan?

  Meng Yuan is captured after discovering the truth about "Tomorrow's Beautiful Dream" and is subsequently assigned to twenty years of "overclocked labor" at the docks, entering a prolonged trance.

Show Notes