A simulacron, who serves as a representative of an alien species, speaks with the US Secretary of Science about their wish to purchase the planet Jupiter. While the Secretary worries about stirring up conflict between the simulacron and another species, the simulacron assures him that no harm will come to Earth, and the two eventually reach an agreement.

When an art gallery owner in Paris decides to bring an old, dead painter back into popularity, he must first deal with the painter’s fascist beliefs and manipulative widow.