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In this breezy, retro‑futurist tale a nervous newcomer to interstellar marketing, Andy Stephens, is tossed his first assignment: convince the remote world Felix II that it has something valuable enough to trade for a spot in the Galactic Federation. Guided—half‑heartedly and half‑jokingly—by the overly‑optimistic Crumbly of Planetary Promotions, Andy must navigate bureaucracy, a vague “nearly as valuable as imports” clause, and his own insecurities about living up to a brash brother’s success.

A quick‑witted stenographer named Edith Featherpenny joins him, offering both practical help and a touch of camaraderie as they board the shuttle to the mysterious planet. Together they confront the puzzle of an isolated economy, a looming deadline, and the subtle politics that hide behind the promise of “trade.” The story blends light‑hearted humor with classic sci‑fi curiosity, inviting listeners to wonder how far a clever pitch can travel when the stakes are truly interstellar.