$1,000 a Plate

by Jack McKenty

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$1,000 A Plate

By JACK McKENTY

Illustrated by BECK

[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Galaxy Science Fiction October 1954.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]

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When Marsy Gras shot off its skyrockets, Mars
Observatory gave it the works—fireworks!

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Sunset on Mars is a pale, washed out, watery sort of procedure that is hardly worth looking at. The shadows of the cactus lengthen, the sun goes down without the slightest hint of color or display and everything is dark. About once a year there is one cloud that turns pink briefly. But even the travel books devote more space describing the new sign adorning the Canal Casino than they do on the sunset.

The night sky is something else again. Each new crop of tourists goes to bed at sunrise the day after arrival with stiff necks from looking up all night. The craters of the moons are visible to the naked eye, and even a cheap pair of opera glasses can pick out the buildings of the Deimos Space Station.