02457cam a22003613u 4500 71859 UtSlPG 20260610134648.0 m cr n 260607r20231957utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 PS Sheckley, Robert, 1928-2005 Accept no substitutes Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2023 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Produced from Infinity March 1958 Release date is 2023-10-12 Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net "Accept No Substitutes" by Robert Sheckley is a science fiction short story written during the mid-20th century. The narrative centers around Ralph Garvey, a man desperate to escape the constraints of Earth's Sexual Morality Act by procuring an illegal sex surrogate from a black market factory. Set in a futuristic universe where humanity has begun to colonize other planets, the story explores themes of desire, identity, and the consequences of seeking substitutes for genuine human connection. The plot unfolds as Garvey navigates the challenges of smuggling the surrogate aboard his private space yacht while being pursued by Customs inspectors. When he finally activates the surrogate, he discovers she is not only exceptionally strong but also driven by primal instincts that quickly turn dangerous. Garvey finds himself in a life-or-death struggle with this formidable creature as he confronts the folly of his choices. Ultimately, the story culminates in Garvey's decision to seek out real women on Algol instead of relying on synthetic substitutes, highlighting the inherent risks in substituting true relationships for manufactured ones. The story combines humor with tension, showcasing Sheckley's trademark wit and commentary on human nature. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Originally published: New York, NY: Royal Publications, Inc., 1957 Science fiction Short stories Androids -- Fiction Emshwiller, Ed, 1925-1990 Produced from Infinity March 1958 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/71859 112585 112585