I'm thinking Huck Finn, and Of Mice and Men are similar, just by the dialogue, if not by the mannerisms of some of the characters.
I don't know if that answers the question but, hey; I tried. :-/
1a) The setting is most likely that far off planet. It talks about space and shipments from Earth. It seems futuristic as well.
1b) In the current moment, people are not traveling to distant planets or , and many of the projects and gadgets are not on the Earth now.
2a) This is set on a less populated snowy road. Steve is on a drive in his car.
2b) The snow and car crash make an upset and frustrated mood in this setting; everything seems to not be going on Steve’s favor.
