In a future where interplanetary travel is commonplace, a wealthy couple, Judd and Lindy Whitney, embark on a hunting expedition to Venus. During their trip, they encounter a small, unique creature with striking black eyes, which Lindy insists on bringing back to Earth as a pet, naming it Black Eyes. Upon their return, they face challenges with customs officials, but ultimately manage to keep the creature. As they settle into their suburban life, Black Eyes exhibits unusual behavior, becoming distressed in the noisy environment of the city. This distress manifests in a peculiar ability: it emits a calming influence that causes those around it to become lethargic and unproductive. The entire city of New York gradually descends into chaos as people lose their motivation to work, leading to a complete standstill in daily life. Scientists investigate the phenomenon, eventually concluding that Black Eyes is the source of the city's malaise. They propose that the creature's fear of the urban noise triggers its power, which inadvertently spreads a wave of laziness among the populace. Faced with the dire consequences of Black Eyes' presence, the scientists decide that the only solution is to eliminate the creature. Judd, conflicted about the fate of Black Eyes, ultimately realizes that the creature cannot be harmed or removed against its will. In a desperate attempt to save it, he rushes back home to prevent its destruction just as a military jet is set to bomb their house. He successfully retrieves Black Eyes, but the explosion causes chaos, leaving him injured but alive. In the aftermath, Judd devises a plan to relocate Black Eyes to a quiet area far from the city, where it can live without causing further disruption. Dr. Jamison, a scientist who has been studying Black Eyes, agrees to take the creature to the Canadian wilderness, believing that its influence will no longer pose a threat to society. However, as the story concludes, it is revealed that Black Eyes is pregnant, hinting at the potential for more creatures like it, which could lead to further complications in the future. The narrative explores themes of coexistence, the consequences of human actions on nature, and the unforeseen repercussions of tampering with alien life.
By Stephen Marlowe · First published 1965 · Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure