The Connoisseur

"The Connoisseur" by Frank Banta is a science fiction story from the early 1960s that examines what people want, what they think is important, and how people get along in complicated situations. It shows a different and interesting point of view about marriage and how much someone is worth. The story is about someone trying to "buy" a young girl, Lisa, from her father by trading valuable things. As the father and daughter talk about the deal, Lisa starts to understand her own worth. Even though she seems like just a prize, she stands up for herself by saying no to the first offers, which leads to a surprising ending that makes you think about freedom and respect in relationships. The story uses funny and dark moments while also criticizing society, all taking place on a spaceship with its crew, which makes you think about human nature and what we consider valuable.