Paycheck
by Philip K. Dick
Apparently, Jennings agreed to work as a specialized mechanic for two years at Rethrick
Construction, having his memory wiped at the end in return for 50,000 credits—except
instead of a bag full of credits, the memory-wiped Jennings is left holding a bag of
seven trinkets and no idea why he would have agreed to such a thing.
— Michael Main
But the big puzzle: how had he—his earlier self—known that a
piece of wire and a bus token would save his life? He had known,
all right. Known in advance. But how? And the other five. Probably they were just as
precious, or would be.
“Paycheck” by Philip K. Dick, Imagination, June 1953.