We Purchased People
| First published | May 1974 |
|---|---|
| Type | Short Fiction |
| Length | Short Story |
Synopsis
Aliens from distant planets have the ability to communicate faster than light, which they use to support technology which enables them to purchase convicts on Earth, whom they can then control to carry out tasks for them. Wayne and Carolyn are such convicts, and sometimes they can get a few minutes together.
Notes
Related to "Sitting Around the Pool, Soaking Up the Rays".
Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Locus Poll Award | Best Short Story | Nominee/Finalist |
Publications (18)
| Date | Publication | Publisher | Type | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1974 | Final Stage: The Ultimate Science Fiction Anthology | Charterhouse | Anthology | 1 |
| May 1975 | Final Stage | Penguin Books | Anthology | 13 |
| July 1975 | The Best Science Fiction of the Year #4 | Ballantine Books | Anthology | 1 |
| July 1975 | The Best Science Fiction of the Year #4 | Ballantine Books | Anthology | 1 |
| September 1975 | The Best Science Fiction of the Year 4 | Gollancz | Anthology | 11 |
| October 1976 | The Best Science Fiction of the Year #4 | Ballantine Books | Anthology | 1 |
| 1977 | The Best Science Fiction Stories | Hamlyn | Anthology | 694 |
| April 1980 | Aliens! | Pocket Books | Anthology | 23 |
| April 1980 | Aliens! | Pocket Books | Anthology | 23 |
| October 1984 | Pohlstars | Del Rey / Ballantine | Collection | 140 |
| October 1984 | Pohlstars | Del Rey / Ballantine | Collection | 140 |
| January 1986 | Pohlstars | Gollancz | Collection | 140 |
| November 1990 | Pohlstars | VGSF | Collection | 140 |
| September 1992 | Foundations of Fear | Tor | Anthology | 439 |
| October 1992 | Foundations of Fear | Tor / BOMC | Anthology | 439 |
| July 1993 | Foundations of Fear | Tor / QPBC | Anthology | 439 |
| September 1994 | Worlds of Fear | Tor | Anthology | 437 |
| December 2024 | Frederik Pohl Audiobook Collection | MotionAudiobooks | Omnibus | |143 |