The Princess and the Physicist

A galaxy‑spanning deity named Zen watches over the distant planet Uxen, where ancient customs have faded under the indifferent rule of Earth colonists. When an unannounced Earth ship arrives, two scientists seek a quiet place to continue their work, prompting a formal audience with the planet’s regal monarch, King Uxlu. The encounter sets off a clash of expectations as the god‑like overseer, the king, and the baffled prime minister navigate the uneasy balance between divine authority and human curiosity.

The story blends whimsical satire with speculative world‑building, portraying a society where even the simplest pleasures—like the humble bowl— become interstellar commodities. As Zen’s omniscient yet irritable consciousness probes the newcomers’ motives, listeners are treated to witty dialogue and a vivid portrait of a culture teetering between tradition and the intrusive reach of Earth’s bureaucracy. The opening promises a clever exploration of power, pride, and the absurdities that arise when gods and scientists meet.