[hinckley buzzard]

Also in the classic “Alas, Babylon”....

Crissakes. You people think you are living in a novel? geez...Count me out. Reality is enough of a challenge.

[Stonewall Jackson]

Okay, if you want comments rooted in reality, during WW2 one of the items purchased the most on the black market was coffee. Everyone wanted it, but the food rationing meant that most stores didn't have any.

Pat Franks, who wrote "Alas, Babylon", used his personal experiences in WW1 and WW2 to come up with the list of shortage items for his book. Salt, coffee, alcohol, medical supplies, gasoline, car batteries, tires, clothes, and shoes are just some of the items he mentions.