02697cam a22003973u 4500 73704 UtSlPG 20260610134715.0 m cr n 260607r20241957utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 PS Marlowe, Stephen, 1928-2008 Excitement for sale Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2024 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Produced from Fantastic January 1958. Release date is 2024-05-26 Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net "Excitement for Sale" by Stephen Marlowe is a short story that revolves around the themes of desire, transformation, and the nature of happiness. Written in the mid-20th century, the narrative captures a moment in the lives of suburban housewives, emphasizing their yearnings for adventure and excitement outside the bounds of their mundane domestic lives. The plot hinges on a peculiar salesman who claims to sell happiness tailored to the desires of women, presenting a fantastical twist on the conventional sales pitch. In the story, Mary-Jean, a typical housewife feeling trapped in her routine, encounters a mysterious peddler who offers her the chance to experience the thrill and beauty she craves. After applying a "happiness balm" from the peddler’s suitcase, she undergoes a miraculous transformation into the alluring Jeanne-Marie. This new persona embarks on an adventurous night out, only to find herself entangled with a fugitive, leading to a high-stakes encounter and a self-revelation. Ultimately, Mary-Jean must confront the implications of her newfound identity and the bittersweet nature of change, culminating in her decision to return to her ordinary life, enriched by her extraordinary experience. The story serves as both a critique and an exploration of the desires that dwell within the hearts of those confined by societal expectations. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Originally published: New York, NY: Ziff-Davis Publishing Company, 1957 Science fiction Adventure stories Women -- Fiction Happiness -- Fiction Housewives -- Fiction Sales personnel -- Fiction Finlay, Virgil, 1914-1971 Produced from Fantastic January 1958. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/73704 114429 114429