Published in 1931, 'Rough Beast' by Roger D. Aycock is a science fiction novella that tells the story of an alien creature, the Morid, which escapes from a Galactic Federation ship and crash-lands in the Florida Keys. The narrative follows characters like Ellis, a Telethink operator, and hermit Charlie Trask as they confront the chaos unleashed by the Morid's instinctual hunt for prey. The novella explores themes of intelligence, survival, and the complexities of human-alien interactions, culminating in a humorous yet poignant reflection on humanity's place in the universe.
