$1,000 a Plate: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
$1,000 a Plate: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
$1,000 a Plate is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for McKenty, Jack.
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"$1,000 a Plate" by Jack McKenty is a science fiction short story written in the mid-20th century. The narrative is set on Mars and revolves around the challenges faced by the Mars Observatory due to frequent fireworks displays that disrupt their astronomical observations. The story explores themes of cooperation, creativity, and the unintended consequences of one's actions, particularly as it relates to the dangers of entertainment overrunning scientific endeavors. In the story, Dr. Morton and his team of scientists are frustrated by the annual Marsy Gras celebrations and the resulting skyrocket trails that ruin expensive photographic plates crucial for their research. As a solution, Dr. Morton devises a plan to manipulate the local casino owners into agreeing to halt fireworks displays by offering them horoscopes that predict their gambling success. Initially met with success, their plan faces a setback when they are ordered to cease their unscientific practices. In a twist, they resort to creating their own fireworks, leading to comedic mishaps that include the destruction of a casino owner's home. Ultimately, this unexpected outcome positively affects Dr. Morton's research ambitions while simultaneously enhancing the local gambler’s reputation, culminating in a humorous yet insightful commentary on the interplay between science and entertainment.
Book and edition facts
- Title: $1,000 a Plate
- Author credits: McKenty, Jack
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Casinos -- Fiction
- Fireworks -- Fiction
- Mars (Planet) -- Fiction
- Science fiction
- Scientists -- Fiction
- Short stories
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Humour
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
- Category: Short Stories
- Science Fiction
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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