The agent

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

78912

Title

The agent

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A down-on-his-luck crooner discovers a mysterious agent in a remote Pennsylvania office who instantly secures him a job. The catch? The office is actually a spaceship on Mars, where the agent and his troupe have found a new home among a culture desperate for Earth's entertainment.

Summary up to 500 words

In Stephen Marlowe's science fiction short story *The Agent*, struggling singer Mike Hennesy finds himself in a desperate situation, unable to secure work in the fading entertainment industry. His friend, the veteran stage actress Vera, introduces him to Quontas Quoron, a theatrical agent operating out of a bizarre, windowless barn in the middle of nowhere. Despite the remote location and Quoron's strange, elongated appearance, the agent instantly hires Mike and a long line of other has-been performers without requiring auditions. The office is filled with waiting actors, a talking seal, and a glamorous secretary who may be a robot. Suddenly, a giant hand shakes the building, knocking everyone unconscious. When Mike awakens, Quoron reveals the shocking truth: they are not in Pennsylvania, but on Mars. The planet lacks cities, nations, or traditional entertainment, making Earth performers a miraculous discovery. The Martians, who have no music or theater due to their struggle for survival, are captivated by the troupe's pantomime acts. However, due to a language barrier and strict quotas set by Martian authorities, only five Earthlings can be brought over per year. As the group prepares to return to Earth for more talent, Mike realizes his new life is far stranger than he ever imagined. The story highlights the contrast between Earth's competitive, struggling entertainment world and Mars's advanced but culturally barren society. The Martians are beauty-starved and eager for the Earthlings' artistic talents, leading to a pantomime production of *Romeo and Juliet* that delights the Martian audience. The narrative concludes with the troupe settling into their new roles, with Mike becoming a beloved crooner and Vera a sensation, while the agent's brother, Meldon, manages the logistics of bringing new talent across the stars under strict planetary regulations.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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