The Repairman by Harry Harrison Episode #118
Harry Harrison | October 11, 2023-
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The Repairman by Harry Harrison Episode #118
Harry Harrison
THE REPAIRMAN
Episode #118 · Written by Harry Harrison · Narrated by Scott Miller
A stubborn repairman is forced to tackle a hyperspace beacon so ancient and absurd that even its blueprints seem like a cosmic joke. But when he discovers a whole civilization worshipping the malfunctioning machine, his job becomes far more complicated—and far more dangerous—than swapping out parts.
The Repairman by Harry Harrison is a lively, inventive tale about a hyperspace beacon so ancient and ridiculous that no sane technician would want to touch it. Unfortunately for our sarcastic, corner-cutting repairman, he doesn’t get a choice. His boss hands him a contract so iron-clad it might as well be forged from neutronium—and a job that sounds more like an initiation into madness. When he reaches the remote world of Proxima Centauri, he discovers that the beacon isn’t simply broken…it has been completely entombed inside a massive stone pyramid built by the native lizard-folk. Even worse, it’s now the center of a religious power struggle, complete with priesthoods, taboos, blind guardians, and sacred “waters” that used to be radioactive coolant.
To fix the beacon without violating interstellar rules forbidding harm to indigenous species, he must disguise himself, manipulate a local herdsman, bluff his way past suspicious priests, and perform the most theatrical repair job in the history of engineering. Harrison turns what could have been a dry maintenance mission into a comedic and chaotic adventure involving flying mechanical lizards, forced holiness, treacherous rituals, and some of the strangest workplace hazards in sci-fi.
What makes the story memorable is the blend of humor and problem-solving. Harrison takes the everyday logic of repair work—diagnosis, improvisation, crawling through machinery—and throws it into a world of alien superstition, accidental miracles, and cosmic bureaucracy. The result is a story that feels both technically grounded and wildly imaginative, echoing his talent for mixing satire with sincere adventure.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Harry Harrison (1925–2012) was one of science fiction’s great stylists—sharp-witted, fiercely creative, and unafraid to poke fun at the genre he loved. Best known for Make Room! Make Room! and the iconic Stainless Steel Rat series, his work spans space opera, satire, alternate history, and character-driven adventure. He spent years in illustration and comics before fully committing to prose, bringing a visual clarity and energetic pacing to his fiction.
Harrison was also a world traveler and polyglot who lived in Mexico, Italy, Denmark, and Ireland. His writing often reflects this global perspective: cultures in conflict, institutions misunderstood, and people navigating systems bigger—and stranger—than themselves. The Repairman showcases Harrison’s signature strengths: humor, ingenuity, and a deep affection for the gloriously chaotic possibilities of science fiction.
LISTEN TO THE STORY
Listen to The Repairman by Harry Harrison — a witty vintage science fiction tale where a repairman faces an ancient beacon, strange rituals, and unexpected dangers.
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HARRY HARRISON SHORT STORIES
Harry Harrison never approached science fiction quietly. He brought velocity, mischief, and a sharp-edged sense of irony to every page he wrote.
Harrison understood that the future could be thrilling, absurd, dangerous, and darkly funny all at once. He loved competent rogues, stubborn survivors, ambitious cadets, and machines that behaved just a little too independently. Whether he was writing about interstellar con artists, military mishaps, planetary politics, or robots questioning their assigned roles, there is always movement in his stories. Ships launch. Plans unravel. Authority is tested. Someone usually thinks they’re in control — and usually isn’t.
At the same time, Harrison never loses sight of character. His heroes are rarely polished icons. They improvise. They bluff. They adapt under pressure. Even his mechanical creations carry attitude, curiosity, or quiet defiance. The tension often comes not from overwhelming cosmic forces, but from clever minds colliding — criminals versus lawmen, humans versus their own inventions, cadets versus impossible expectations.
Harrison’s range stretches from biting satire to straight-faced adventure. One story may lean into sly humor while another builds pressure through tactical maneuvering or moral standoff. Yet the voice is unmistakable. Clean prose. Forward momentum. A sense that something is always about to go wrong — and someone quick-thinking might just turn it around.
The stories below highlight that range — rebellious antiheroes, restless robots, uneasy first contact, military surprises, and futures that never behave the way officials expect. If you enjoy intelligence mixed with action and a streak of irreverence running through the stars, Harry Harrison delivers every time.
- The Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison
- The Misplaced Battleship by Harry Harrison
- The Robot Who Wanted To Know by Harry Harrison
- Arm of the Law by Harry Harrison
- The Robots Strike by Harry Harrison
- Welcoming Committee by Harry Harrison
- Trainee for Mars by Harry Harrison
- The Repairman by Harry Harrison
- The Velvet Glove by Harry Harrison
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