The Stuff

"The Stuff" by Henry Slesar is a science fiction short story that was published in the early 1960s. The narrative explores themes of human desire and the meaning of life through the concepts of healing and dreaming. It delves into the ethical considerations of a drug that allows a man to live a life in his dreams rather than in reality. In the story, a man named Andy Hills, who has been paralyzed due to an accident, is given a new drug called Senopoline that puts him in a dream state where he can live an entire lifetime as he wishes. Awakening from his paralysis, he quickly excels in tennis and pursues a career in art, eventually becoming a celebrated politician and the first World President. However, the drug doesn’t heal physically; rather, it generates a long, detailed dream until he faces the reality of mortality. The story ultimately raises questions about the value of dreams versus real life and whether one should pursue tangible achievements or find satisfaction in an illusion.