The Big Fix

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

23599

Title

The Big Fix

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In a world where telepathy and psi powers are commonplace, Chicago poker player Wally Wilson is approached by the powerful Joseph Barcelona to fix the Kentucky Derby. With the help of his telepathic associates and a determined police lieutenant, Wally must navigate a high-stakes mental game to ensure three specific, substandard dogs win the race without breaking the law or ruining his reputation.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in a futuristic Chicago where extrasensory perception (ESP) has transformed gambling from a game of chance into a high-stakes contest of skill, George O. Smith's *The Big Fix* explores the enduring nature of human nature despite advanced psychic abilities. The protagonist, Wally Wilson, is a seasoned telepathic bookmaker who navigates a world where poker and horse racing require mental shields and strategic mind-reading. His life shifts when Tomboy Taylor, an agent for the wealthy and mentally chaotic Joseph Barcelona, approaches him with a daunting request: ensure that three notoriously slow, unhealthy dogs—Flying Heels, Moonbeam, and Lady Grace—finish the Kentucky Derby in that specific order. Lieutenant Delancey of the Chicago police warns Wally that while betting is legal, manipulating the outcome is not, noting the race must start early on Saturday to avoid violating blue laws. Initially resistant, Wally agrees to protect his friendship with Barcelona and sees an opportunity to profit legally. Instead of physically rigging the race, which would be impossible given the dogs' poor health, Wally utilizes his telepathic abilities to manipulate public betting behavior. He influences the crowd's perception, making the long-shot dogs appear as sure winners. This drives up the odds and allows him to take a cut without directly altering the race's physical outcome. As Derby Day approaches, the track is flooded with bets influenced by the 'inside dope.' On race day, amidst the mental noise from Barcelona's hired noisemakers and the excited crowd, the three dogs miraculously stay ahead of the field, fulfilling the fix. The story concludes with Wally walking away with a significant profit and his integrity intact, having avoided the accusation of fixing the race. The narrative highlights themes of ethics, the ingenuity of the human race, and the fact that human nature remains unchanged even in a society where the mind is the ultimate tool. Wally and Tomboy Taylor share a moment hinting at a future together, while Lieutenant Delancey ensures the law is upheld. The tale serves as a commentary on how skill and psychology can triumph over brute force, even when the odds seem insurmountable.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23599.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg23599.epub

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2026-06-30 14:25 UTC

Categories

• Short Stories
• Science Fiction
• Psychic Ability
• Horse Racing