Sugar Plum

On a clear spring evening in 2189, Charles Edward Button came home half an hour late for his supper, tossed his hat to the robot butler who came out from behind the DoItAll, and announced that he had just bought a planet. His wife, Betty, was looking small and long-suffering on a plastic reproduction of a Victorian love-seat, and her cousin Aurelia, a large, handsome woman, was standing behind her protectively. "Of course," he informed them, "it's not a "big" planet. But what a bargain! With real oceans, and two moons, and -- " Cousin Aurelia's tart voice cut him off in mid-sentence. "You know what's come of every one of your investments. Call the man "right now" and tell him you want your money back!" "I'm afraid it's too late." Charles avoided her eye. "I bought it up at a tax-auction and -- well, the government never refunds."