ISBN-13: 9781496145284 / Angielski / Miękka / 2014 / 264 str.
This is a radio comedy script in ten episodes of around 15 minutes each. Deals in Space is an adaptation of William Peskett's novel, Enhance Your Exports Doing Business on Other Planets. The story follows Dave Smart, business studies lecturer, as he leads three enytrepreneurs on a tour of discovery to the Smiling Disc star system, 19 light years from home. Their purpose is to investigate business practice on Kalista-mm, the larger of the system's two planets. Visits to a sulphur mine, an old-established bank and a drinks company give the Earthlings surprising insights into the business practices of aliens who have developed along somewhat different lines from us. It's not only that they have big moustaches and white blood, or that they drink sulphuric acid and lay eggs. The inhabitants of Kalista-mm are the epitome of political incorrectness, and are disarmingly honest about their shortcomings. Of course, the main benefit of studying a way of life very different from ours is that it teaches us more about ourselves. The group's observations provide plenty of scope for taking cruel swipes at many of things we hold precious about our own dear planet: government, big business, justice, democracy, climate change, science, religion and do-gooders generally. It all adds up to a hilarious jaunt around a little-known quadrant of the galaxy and a satisfying dig at many of our own sacred cows. The series involves 38 characters with 8-14 in each individual episode. There are six main speaking parts with the others of varied importance. Many characters have optional gender.