Show Business

In Short

This story follows an unnamed narrator who encounters a wily Venusian named Dworken in a desolate Luna City tavern. As they drink, Dworken recounts his recent expedition into the remote Martian interior, where he claims to have discovered a theatrical troupe of talking animals. The narrative is a clever, lighthearted piece of classic science fiction that explores the intersection of showmanship, gullibility, and the absurdity of the extraterrestrial frontier, ultimately serving as a humorous meditation on the art of the "con."

The Story

The setting is a quiet, lonely bar in Luna City, where the narrator—a man accustomed to the influx of seasonal tourists—finds himself sharing drinks with Dworken. Dworken is a Venusian of dubious reputation, often suspected of smuggling, yet he remains a captivating storyteller. He claims to have recently returned from the Martian interior, specifically the region of Tasaaha, where he supposedly witnessed an extraordinary show featuring, among other things, a tllooll and a shiyooch’iid performing vaudeville-style comedy.

Dworken describes the act with great enthusiasm, detailing how the creatures rode a bicycle and traded jokes that were, in the Martian context, uproariously funny. The narrator is deeply skeptical, as neither of these species is known to possess vocal cords or the capacity for speech. Dworken insists he saw the performance twice—once with the animals’ owner present and once while the owner was conveniently absent. He claims the animals performed the same routines and told the same jokes, even when the human proprietor was nowhere near the stage.

Intrigued despite his better judgment, the narrator listens as Dworken explains his suspicion that the act was a clever fraud. Dworken recounts pressuring the Martian owner to reveal the secret behind the spectacle. The climax of the tale arrives when the narrator, desperate for the resolution of this impossible mystery, finally learns how the trick was accomplished. Dworken admits that the owner confessed the animals did not actually talk; instead, the owner had been using ventriloquism to project their voices. The story concludes with the narrator left to process the revelation that the entire "miracle" was nothing more than a simple, old-fashioned stage trick, exposing Dworken as both a storyteller and an unwitting audience to a fellow con artist.

How It Unfolds

The encounter begins The narrator finds Dworken idling in a deserted Luna City bar, anticipating the arrival of a tourist ship. They settle into a routine of heavy drinking and banter, establishing a dynamic where the narrator acts as a skeptical but entertained listener for Dworken’s latest schemes.

The Martian expedition Dworken describes his journey into the unexplored Martian interior, claiming he adapted his physiology to survive the thin, oxygen-poor air. He paints a romantic picture of his travels, finding an "unspoiled" Mars far removed from the tourist hubs of the capital.

The theatrical discovery Dworken claims to have stumbled upon a local theater in Tasaaha featuring a vaudeville act with trained animals. He describes the specific, absurd comedy routine involving a tllooll and a shiyooch’iid that left him in stitches.

Testing the impossible The narrator challenges the plausibility of talking animals, prompting Dworken to detail how he tested the performance by forcing the owner to step away. Dworken builds the suspense, leading the narrator to wonder if he has truly found something supernatural or merely a clever hoax.

The final reveal Dworken prepares to leave, forcing the narrator to beg for the truth behind the act. The story ends with the mundane, humorous admission that the trick was simple ventriloquism, leaving the narrator to reflect on the deception.

The People

The story centers on two figures who represent different attitudes toward the strange realities of space travel. The narrator is a cynical, grounded Earthman who views himself as a rational observer. He is skeptical of Dworken’s claims yet finds himself unable to turn away from the entertainment, highlighting his own susceptibility to a good story. His desire for the "truth" makes him the perfect foil for the Venusian.

Dworken is a wily, warty-skinned Venusian whose primary motivation is profit and the thrill of the "deal." He is a quintessential trickster figure, presenting himself as a sophisticated traveler who has conquered the impossible through physical adaptation and sheer nerve. Despite his claims of business acumen, he is repeatedly swindled by others—a recurring irony that makes him a sympathetic, if unreliable, narrator of his own life. He does not change in any profound way, remaining the same opportunistic dreamer he was at the start, though he carries the humor of his latest failed investment with a certain weary dignity.

In Its Own Voice

"Except for old Dworken, Kotha's bar was deserted when I dropped in shortly after midnight."

The story opens on the lonely, atmospheric backdrop of a lunar outpost, setting the stage for an intimate conversation.

"A man must somet'ing be doing, what?"

Dworken justifies his presence in the desolate city, revealing the restless nature of his character.

"De shiyooch'iid,' he said, 'can't really talk; de tllooll just t'rows his voice!'"

The final line provides the punchline to the mystery, summarizing the absurdity of the entire performance.

What It's Really About

The central theme is the nature of performance and the human (or alien) desire to be deceived. Dworken’s journey to Mars is not just a physical trek but a search for something "wondrous" that justifies the boredom of space life. The story argues that the "con" is a universal language; whether on Earth, Mars, or Venus, the desire to laugh at a joke—even one involving a ventriloquist tllooll—trumps the need for objective truth. It touches on the fine line between a tall tale and a lie, suggesting that in the realm of show business, the quality of the narrative is often more important than the reality behind the curtain.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy classic, punchy science fiction from the 1950s will appreciate this story's brisk pacing and dry wit. It feels like a campfire story told in a futuristic setting, capturing the "Golden Age" spirit where the focus is on a single, clever idea rather than sprawling world-building. The dialogue is colorful, particularly Dworken’s heavily accented speech, which adds a distinct texture to the reading experience.

Those who prefer modern, high-stakes narratives might find the period-specific tropes and the leisurely pace of the bar-room banter a bit quaint. However, the story excels in its characterization; Dworken is a memorable figure, and the dynamic between the two men is warm and believable. The ending is satisfyingly droll, providing a moment of levity that lingers. It is a brief, refreshing read for anyone who enjoys a story that doesn't take itself too seriously—a piece of fiction that reminds the reader that sometimes the best part of a journey is not the discovery itself, but the ridiculous story you get to tell about it afterward.