The Big Fix

The Big Fix by George O. Smith drops listeners into a razor-edged poker game where telepathy, psi powers, and human greed threaten to upend a high-stakes horse race. Set a few weeks before the Derby, Smith’s science fiction short story blends psychological intrigue and noirish gambling drama as Wally Wilson, Phil Howland, Chicago Charlie and the indomitable Tomboy Taylor jockey minds and motives around an eight-thousand-dollar pot. What begins as a game of skill escalates into a study of how telepathy reshapes trust—and how utterly resourceful people become when crime and opportunity intersect. Smith’s crisp, mid-century prose explores themes of deception, moral ambiguity, and the surprising limits of “perfect” knowledge, all while keeping pace with sharp dialogue and clever twists of character. The story reads like a psychological experiment wrapped in a pulpy caper: scientific speculation about psi powers meets classic con-artist craft. Ideal for fans of vintage science fiction, psychological fiction, and short stories that crackle with tension, The Big Fix is perfect for listeners who enjoy smart, character-driven narratives about mind-reading, gambling, and the inventive ways people try to beat the system.