Grifters' Asteroid

"Grifters' Asteroid" by H. L. Gold is a science fiction novella originally published in the early 1940s. Set in a humorous and satirical depiction of interplanetary con men, the story follows Harvey and Joe, two slick con artists, as they navigate their outrageous schemes on the small planetoid known as Planet 42. The novella explores themes of deception, greed, and the absurdities of commerce in a futuristic setting. In the story, Harvey and Joe arrive at Planetoid 42 and quickly find themselves in a precarious situation as they confront the local mayor, Angus Johnson, who charges extortionate prices for water while simultaneously deceiving them. The duo, attempting to sell a miraculous remedy called "La-anago Yergis", realizes that they too have been swindled when they discover that the sweet water they bought is merely a ruse. As the plot unfolds, they cleverly manipulate Johnson into purchasing both the remedy and a faulty fourth-dimensional radio, ultimately escaping with a meager profit. The novella cleverly critiques human greed and the cyclical nature of deception in a lighthearted and entertaining manner.