In a small town named Valleyview, a man named Francis Pfleuger, known for his eccentric inventions, inadvertently creates a machine that opens a portal to another world, Sirius XXI. The townspeople, disillusioned with their lives, decide to leave Valleyview for this new paradise, leaving behind their homes and businesses. Judith Darrow, the village attorney, is tasked with selling the properties but finds herself in a complicated situation when she meets Philip Myles, a real estate agent who arrives to appraise the town. Philip discovers that Valleyview is nearly deserted, with only Judith and her dog, Zarathustra, remaining. As he appraises the properties, he learns that the townspeople have moved to Pfleugersville, a utopian village on Sirius XXI, where they can live without fear and enjoy a better life. Judith reveals that the properties have been signed over to Philip, but he is to donate the proceeds to charity, as the townspeople have no intention of returning. As Philip grapples with the implications of this arrangement, he becomes increasingly intrigued by Judith and the mysterious nature of their situation. He learns that the portal created by Francis's machine is fading, and he must decide whether to return to Earth or join Judith in this new world. Ultimately, he realizes that his feelings for Judith are genuine, and he seeks to prove his worth to her. The story culminates in Philip's decision to embrace the unknown and pursue a relationship with Judith, while also acknowledging the complexities of their pasts. The narrative explores themes of ambition, love, and the search for belonging, set against the backdrop of a fantastical world that challenges the characters' perceptions of reality and their place within it.
By Robert F. Young · First published 1960 · Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure