Gone Fishing by James H. Schmitz
The narrative follows Barney Chard, a financier and occasional con man, who encounters Dr. Oliver B. McAllen, a retired physicist with a secretive invention known as the McAllen Tube. This device allows for instantaneous travel between two points, but its existence is shrouded in mystery and fear of misuse. Chard, intrigued by the potential of the Tube, seeks to leverage it for financial gain, while McAllen is wary of its implications and the dangers it poses. As the story unfolds, Chard's motivations are revealed to be driven by a mix of greed and boredom, leading him to manipulate McAllen into revealing the Tube's secrets. McAllen, however, is not easily fooled and ultimately decides to confine Chard for five years in a remote ecological base, believing that isolation will reform him and prevent the Tube's technology from falling into the wrong hands. During his confinement, Chard undergoes a transformation. Initially filled with rage and resentment, he gradually adapts to his new environment, finding ways to occupy his time and even thrive physically. The narrative explores themes of isolation, the nature of humanity, and the potential for personal growth in the absence of societal pressures. As the five-year period comes to an end, the association overseeing the project prepares to assess Chard's mental state. They are concerned about the possibility of his hostility towards them, given his past. However, when they finally make contact, they discover that Chard has embraced the solitude and has left a message indicating he is "gone fishing," suggesting a newfound peace and acceptance of his situation. The story concludes with the association realizing that Chard has transformed from a potential threat into a person who has learned to live without the destructive tendencies that once defined him. The McAllen Tube, while still a powerful invention, remains a guarded secret, and Chard's journey reflects the complexities of human nature and the potential for change when removed from societal constraints.
By James H. Schmitz · First published 1973 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy · 19,734 words
First lines
There probably will never come a society of human beings without its human parasites. The notion that material progress through the invention and development of the technical bases for a universally high standard of living will bring with it a perfecting of man's moral fiber-if it ever really existed, as it may have in some naive minds during the Nineteenth Century-simply will not work. It is not only the lure of "something for nothing" that makes such parasites-con men, blackmailers, what have you-tick, it is also the excitement of using one's wits, the hatred or contempt of conventional society, or the feeling of power that comes from putting something over on another person. These are basic supra-economic motivations for people like Schmitz's "anti-hero."
What this Textopian page supports
Gone Fishing is listed on Textopian as a novel by James H. Schmitz, dated 1973 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: James H. Schmitz
- Date: 1973 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy, Short Story, Humor
- Length: 19,734 words
- Structure: 1 section, 370 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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- Work identity for Gone Fishing by James H. Schmitz
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The story features futuristic elements and speculative technology, typical of the science fiction genre.
- Adventure — The plot involves exploration and the pursuit of a quest, aligning with adventure themes.
- Fantasy — Elements of the supernatural and imaginative settings contribute to a fantasy classification.
- Short Story — The narrative is concise and structured as a short story, focusing on a specific event.
Tags
Science Fiction · Space Opera · Adventure · Action · Thriller · Alien Invasion · Humanity's Survival · Galactic Politics · Military Conflict · Warfare · Strategy · Tactical Maneuvering