The 18 merchants at the center of the story are:

Susie serves as a narrative mirror for Peter, often acting as the only character willing to voice the grim reality of his worsening health and career trajectory. The Taboo Factor: Dark Family Dynamics

Another massive cinematic trope popularized in 2011 (seen globally in features tracking the economic downturn) follows a wealthy protagonist who loses everything and is forced into the world of adult commerce or high-end escorting to survive.