In this story by A. B. Paterson, a book publishing firm reliant on door-to-door sales is facing ruin. Its canvassers are quitting in droves after violent attacks by people they approach in rural Australia. A potential solution presents itself in the form of a “Genius” who has invented a mechanical salesman designed to not only withstand ill-treatment by potential customers, but also to respond in kind. As one might expect, things don’t quite go as planned. Themes include high pressure sales tactics, “bush” identity, desperation, inventiveness, “progress” (replacement of man by machine), alcohol abuse.
