William Morrison's "Bad Medicine" (short story, humor, free)

Don't look for logic, & it's a light fun read.

Story summary.

A couple of human conmen running their "Gigantic Medicine Show" have landed on Saturn, attracting curious Saturnians to crowd around their ship. So they open shop - selling "The Red Mans' Old-Fashioned Radioactive Herb Remedy, fortified with vitamins A to R inclusive, the latter made with the most recently discovered carbon isotope", with the promise it will "increase your intelligence a thousandfold!" But payment should be in the form of red bead necklaces Saturnians wear - dirt cheap there, very pricey on earth.

Well, both sides will successfully trade what they desire ... to the horror of the sellers...

Fact sheet.

First published:  Thrilling Wonder Stories, February 1941.
Download full text from Pulpgen. [via QuasarDragon]
Rating: B.
Related: Stories of William Morrison.