In a dystopian future, a worker named Andy Brooks grapples with his discontent in a society where artificial dreams are provided through Sensory Shows. Disillusioned with his mundane life and his unattractive wife, he longs for a real connection with Glora Delar, a famous actress from the moon. After a traumatic accident that leads to his diagnosis of schizophrenia, Andy decides to escape his oppressive reality and pursue Glora in person, defying the strict laws that prohibit such actions. In a desperate act, he murders his wife to free himself from her constraints and sneaks aboard a moon rocket. Upon arrival in Studio City, he is awed by the glamorous world of the stars but soon realizes that the actors are mere puppets, devoid of genuine emotion or recognition. His encounter with Glora reveals the harsh truth: she is not the idealized figure of his dreams but a lifeless automaton, a product of the very system he sought to escape. As chaos ensues, Andy confronts the futility of his quest for authentic love and dreams, ultimately succumbing to despair. The story explores themes of reality versus illusion, the nature of desire, and the consequences of a society that prioritizes manufactured happiness over genuine human connection.
By Bryce Walton · First published 1985 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Mystery