In this science fiction story by Peter Carey, a poverty-stricken woman waiting as her husband applies for a mining job on a distant planet spends some of their last savings on a brightly coloured exotic bird. The bird has a unique quality… it gives a rush of euphoria followed by continuing pleasure to those who stroke it. The woman develops a lucrative business traveling the country selling time with the bird, little realizing that it has a dark side which will destroy her marriage and cause mass destruction. Themes include poverty, love, entrepreneurship, self-gratification, jealousy, biosecurity risks.
A question many readers will ask is “Why would the cleaner at the space station sell the pleasure-giving bird for as little as $5.” As hinted at in the final sentence, this could indicate a further theme: conspiracy. Did he have just one bird or many, and is he part a master plan to distribute the destructive pests across the country?