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The search results offered a variety of options, from official distributors to wholesale outlets. He spent the next hour comparing shipping costs and delivery times, trying to figure out if ordering in bulk really made sense once the hidden fees were added up. It was a gamble; buying online required a level of patience that a man on his last cigarette rarely possessed.

As the sun set over the city, Arthur realized that while the search for a better price had been a chore, it had provided a temporary solution to his financial strain. He sat by the window, watching the Miami skyline flicker to life, content for the moment to have his supply secured for the weeks ahead.

"There's got to be a better way," he muttered, opening a browser tab.

The blue glow of the laptop was the only light in Arthur’s cramped Florida apartment. He was down to his last cigarette—a bent he’d been saving for an emergency—and his bank account was looking just as thin as the tobacco.

Finally, a sturdy cardboard box arrived. It wasn't fancy, but it was heavy. Arthur brought it inside, the weight of the cartons promising a reprieve from his daily budget stress. He opened the first pack, the familiar scent of the tobacco filling the small room.