25. People Are Alike All Over

Two astronauts discuss an impending mission to Mars. One of them, Marcusson, is a positive thinker who believes that people are alike all over, even on the Red Planet. The other astronaut, Conrad, has a more cynical view of human interplanetary nature. After their rocket lands on Mars, the impact is so severe that Marcusson is critically injured. Knowing that he is dying, Marcusson pleads with Conrad to open the door of their ship so he can at least see that for which he has given his life. Conrad refuses, still fearful of what may await outside, and Marcusson dies.

Now alone, Conrad hears a rhythmic sound reverberating upon the ship's hull. Expecting some unnamed, alien evil, his apprehension turns to joy when he opens the hatch and sees Martians that indeed appear to be human, have mind-reading abilities, and give the impression of being most amicable, especially the beautiful Teenya, who welcomes and reassures him. Conrad believes the Martians speak English but they tell him he is speaking their language through a kind of hypnosis.

They lead Conrad to his residence — an interior living space furnished precisely in the same manner as one on Earth (specifically, a living space in middle-class America) would have been. The locals leave and Conrad asks if he will see Teenya again. She doesn't respond, but another local assures Conrad he will see her again. Conrad relaxes, but soon discovers the rooms are windowless and the doors cannot be opened. One of the walls slides apart, revealing a gathering of Martians watching him curiously behind a set of bars, and Conrad realizes that he has become a caged exhibit in a Martian alien zoo. Conrad picks up a sign saying EARTH CREATURE IN HIS NATIVE HABITAT, and throws it on the floor as Teenya leaves distraught. Conrad grips the bars and proclaims, "Marcusson! Marcusson, you were right! You were right. People are alike... people are alike everywhere."