Accept No Substitutes

Accept No Substitutes is a science fiction short story by Robert Sheckley, first published in 1958. The narrative follows Ralph Garvey, who seeks an illegal sex surrogate to escape the restrictions of Earth's Sexual Morality Act. Set in a future where humanity has begun colonizing other planets, the story examines themes of desire, identity, and the dangers of substituting genuine human connections with artificial ones. Sheckley's trademark wit and humor enhance the tension as Garvey confronts the consequences of his choices.