"You understand," the routing official was saying, "that you're allowed your choice of planets in the Huffer Solar System. We'll read off occupational and other pertinent information and then you make your choice.
"Sunside: First planet from the system sun. Warm, humid climate. Fishing, flower-growing for export, mining, and natural handicrafts. Population ratio 7 to 1, males all somatypes and admixtures.
"Midplanet: Second planet out. Temperate climate. Farming, fur-trapping, slight manufacturing. Ratio 7 to 1, all somatypes and admixtures."
"Newman's body, last planet out from the system sun...."
He finished the list and gave them five minutes to decide. The names of the three planets appeared on the floor in glowing letters. When they had made up their minds, they were to go and stand on the name.
They held a short conference.
"It looks like it's a tossup between fish and furs," Ruby said. "I think I'll take Midplanet. I like furs better than fish."
They argued a moment longer, then picked up their belongings and went and stood on the luminous letters.
VII