Rat Race

"Rat Race" by George O. Smith is a fascinating science fiction story where Peter Manton's quest to solve a simple mouse problem spirals into a bewildering series of events with national implications. Manton's creation, a mousetrap capable of teleporting its captives, initially appears to be a clever solution to an infestation during a time of scarce resources. However, the invention's unexpected ability to send mice into the past triggers a temporal paradox, causing an overwhelming surge in the rat population. As the situation escalates, and the government and law enforcement become involved, the story cleverly examines the ripple effects of innovation, revealing that Manton's trap is the root cause of the crisis it was designed to prevent, leading to a comical although provoking exploration of unintended consequences.