The Amateurs

In a regulated future where the state determines the end of a life, Sunnylands Palace serves as a luxurious haven for those scheduled for euthanasia. The narrative follows Mr. Sims, a 56‑year‑old who has just been deemed a societal burden and is escorted by the impeccably calm director Arthur Hoode to discuss his final days. Amid manicured lawns and shining fountains, Hoode presents the palace’s unsettling promise: a pleasant, customized farewell.

The resort blends opulent comforts with a bureaucratic “Philosophy of Dying,” offering everything from a painless injection to dramatic choices like a guillotine or firing squad. Sims wrestles with the paradox of choosing his own death while surrounded by the trappings of a five‑star hotel. The tension between the seductive serenity of Sunnylands and the grim reality of its purpose leaves him questioning whether to accept the system’s order or search for a different path.