I liked the story. I think it's fiction. I'm trying to keep that fine line between fiction and article, where articles are non-fiction, but with the latest round of adver-articles.
If it's one of those adver-articles, I guess it's really advertising the new carbon steel leatherman tool, perfect for cutting your way through pesky car restraint straps.
Not often that HN points to some fiction, it was a welcome addition to my early morning routine.