
In a not‑too‑distant future, the everyday grind wears down both spirit and flesh, and a weary office worker finds himself in a steam‑filled massage room where the conversation drifts from car batteries to the shocking idea of buying a brand‑new body. The attendant, half‑mischievous and half‑salesman, paints a picture of “body jobs” that could reset a life, while the protagonist, Hugh Horner, wrestles with his own middle‑aged fatigue, finances, and a marriage that’s lost its youthful glow. Their dialogue turns a routine rub‑down into a thought‑provoking examination of how far society will go when health becomes a commodity.
The story balances dry humor with a subtle unease, inviting listeners to consider what it really means to repair or replace the parts that make us who we are. As Horner’s curiosity deepens, the narrative asks whether the promise of a fresh start can ever truly outweigh the weight of accumulated experience.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (60K characters)
Release date
2024-05-03
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1927–1987
A prolific mid-century science fiction and fantasy writer, he became especially well known for the Lord Darcy stories, where detective fiction meets an alternate world shaped by magic. He also wrote heavily for the pulp magazines of the 1950s and 1960s and collaborated with other major SF writers.
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b. 1935
A major voice in modern science fiction, this prolific writer helped shape the genre with work that ranges from fast-paced early stories to thoughtful, award-winning novels and novellas. Readers often return to his fiction for its big ideas, psychological depth, and sense of wonder.
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