Prospector's Special

"Prospector's Special" by Robert Sheckley is a science fiction adventure set in the Scorpion Desert of Venus, a tale that showcases the perils of chasing dreams in an alien and unforgiving world. Tom Morrison, a determined prospector, embarks on a quest to strike it rich by finding goldenstone, a highly valuable mineral. The story follows Morrison's trials after his vehicle fails, leaving him isolated with dwindling supplies and the constant threat of sandwolves. His journey is marked by encounters with strange elements of this Venusian frontier, including interactions with an unusual robot postal worker, all while battling ruthless conditions and bureaucratic obstacles. Through grit and a bit of luck, Morrison presses onward, revealing the steep price of ambition and the unexpected meaning of true wealth in a place where survival is a luxury.