'Preferred Risk' Summary

Lester Del Rey's "Preferred Risk" paints a chilling picture of a future where a powerful corporation known simply as "The Company" has monopolized every facet of human existence. They claim to have eradicated war and ensured everyone's happiness, but their control extends to all aspects of life, from medical care to law enforcement, even dictating the availability of weapons. The story follows Wills, a seemingly contented Company employee, whose life takes a dramatic turn when he encounters a mysterious woman and a legless man. As he investigates their connection to the Company, he uncovers hidden agendas and clandestine activities, challenging the utopian facade the Company maintains. Wills’s journey to expose the truth about the Company's true intentions and the nature of their controlled society unravels a conspiracy that threatens the very fabric of humanity. Del Rey masterfully blends elements of dystopian science fiction with intricate plot twists, leaving the reader questioning the nature of power, freedom, and the price of security in a world where everything is controlled.