The Project Gutenberg EBook of One Man's Poison, by Robert Sheckley

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Title: One Man's Poison

Author: Robert Sheckley

Illustrator: Emsh

Release Date: April 18, 2010 [EBook #32041]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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Transcriber's Note:

This etext was produced from Galaxy Science Fiction December 1953.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S.
copyright on this publication was renewed.

One man's poison

By ROBERT SHECKLEY

Illustrated by EMSH

They could eat a horse, only luckily there was none ... it
might have eaten them first!

* * * * *

Hellman plucked the last radish out of the can with a pair of
dividers. He held it up for Casker to admire, then laid it carefully
on the workbench beside the razor.

"Hell of a meal for two grown men," Casker said, flopping down in one
of the ship's padded crash chairs.

"If you'd like to give up your share--" Hellman started to suggest.

Casker shook his head quickly. Hellman smiled, picked up the razor and
examined its edge critically.

"Don't make a production out of it," Casker said, glancing at the
ship's instruments. They were approaching a red dwarf, the only
planet-bearing sun in the vicinity. "We want to be through with supper
before we get much closer."

Hellman made a practice incision in the radish, squinting along the
top of the razor. Casker bent closer, his mouth open. Hellman poised
the razor delicately and cut the radish cleanly in half.

"Will you say grace?" Hellman asked.

Casker growled something and popped a half in his mouth. Hellman
chewed more slowly. The sharp taste seemed to explode along his
disused tastebuds.

"Not much bulk value," Hellman said.

Casker didn't answer. He was busily studying the red dwarf.

* * * * *

As he swallowed the last o