What’s He Doing in There?
Fritz Leiber
Genre(s): Science Fiction, Humor, Satire
Published in 1957 in Galaxy Science Fiction magazine
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When Earth’s first Martian visitor lands, he wisely chooses a cultural anthropologist as his first contact. Everything seems to go smoothly—until the Martian politely asks where the bathroom is. The professor and his family soon find themselves in a state of growing anxiety as the alien locks himself inside for hours, leading to wild speculation about Martian biology, customs, and intentions. With a blend of humor and sharp social satire, Fritz Leiber turns a simple question into a cosmic misunderstanding.