Publicity Stunt

"Publicity Stunt" by Robert Moore Williams is an early 1950s science fiction story about humans on Venus, tasked with boosting the planet’s image for settlers. The expedition takes a turn for the worse after an accidental landing on the sacred grounds of a Venusian leader named Shad Brisbee. Sam Crane, Captain Wilkerson, Molock, and Rita Morgan then grapple with the planet’s six-eyed inhabitants. Reckless behavior on the part of Molock leads to a risky dance-off with Shad, which determines their freedom. The book follows the crew as they confront the dangerous atmosphere and the seriousness with which the Venusians regard their customs, all while they try to promote the colonization project. The tale ends with an unexpected discovery, a fusion of adventure and insight into the effects of bad publicity.