The Ballad of Venus Nell

"The Ballad of Venus Nell" by Nelson S. Bond is a science fiction story set in a future where humans explore space, focusing on the themes of greed, desire, and consequences. The story centers on Dougal MacNeer, a tough prospector with valuable mining claims, who comes to the mining town of Krull. There, he meets Venus Nell, a gorgeous and sly cabaret performer, whose interest in MacNeer's fortune sparks a series of deceitful moves. Nell tries to get information from him, but their interactions lead to a tense standoff involving a mind-reading device. As the story progresses, themes of love, betrayal, and the high cost of greed appear, and Nell discovers that real love can’t be bought or faked, and she suffers for her choices.