A Bad Day for Vermin

A Bad Day for Vermin is a science fiction short story by Keith Laumer, written in the early 1960s. The plot centers around Judge Carter Gates, who witnesses the arrival of a friendly extraterrestrial being in a small town, only for it to be shot by a local man, igniting a fierce debate about personhood and ethics among the townsfolk. Laumer explores themes of prejudice and morality, ultimately questioning what defines a 'person' in the face of the unknown. The story concludes with a twist that leaves readers contemplating the consequences of their decisions.