Montoffsky was a senior engineer at a certain machinery factory in Saint Petersburg, earning twice the salary of ordinary factory workers and enjoying various subsidies and vacations. Before the war, he was undoubtedly part of the middle-upper class.
But the good times were only before the war. After the outbreak of the war, the prices in Russia rose at an astonishing rate, and Montoffsky's proud salary could barely maintain the livelihood of himself and his family.
Keep in mind, this was only possible because Montoffsky's wife also worked at the machinery factory.
If there was only one income in the family, Montoffsky's living standard would probably fall further down another level.
On a not-so-sunny morning, Montoffsky arrived early at the factory and went to his workstation.
As a senior engineer of the machinery factory, Montoffsky's status was a bit higher than that of ordinary workers, but only slightly higher.
