 Which three things do Venusians love about Terrans?
There were more Joes on Venus than you could shake a ray-gun at. Perhaps there was method in Colonel Walsh's madness—murder-madness—when he ordered Major Polk to scan the planet for a guy named Joe. [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Planet Stories November 1952. For example, he could have chosen a Second Looie for the job on Venus. We were somewhere in Area Two on Earth, takeoff point for any operations in Space II. "It will involve finding one man, a Venusian native." "I always figured Venus was under the jurisdiction of Space III, sir. It so happens this Venusian is the one man who can help us understand just what's happening on Mars." I tried to picture a Venusian understanding Mars and I didn't get very far. If Walsh really wanted to know the reasons for the revolt, I could give them to him in one word: Walsh. It had been going on for six months now and we'd lost at least a thousand men from Space II. "And this man is on Venus now?" I'd never been to Venus, being in Space II ever since I'd left the Moon run. "This man is on Venus." "Well, physically he's like any of the other Venusians, so I can't give you much help there. The trip to Venus came off without a hitch. Venus was hotter than I'd expected it to be. Big plants and small ones, some blooming with flowers I'd never seen before, and some as bare as cactus. "The guys back in Space II are searching high and low for you," I told him. "You are Joe, aren't you? "Where's the Officer's Club?" I asked the Venusian. Behind the bar a tall Venusian lounged. I started to pick up my bag as another Venusian entered. He was wearing a tropical tunic, but he still resembled a wilted lily more than he did an officer. A tall, blue Venusian stepped lithely into the room. "Sure thing," the Venusian answered. "Cigarettes. Cigarettes was the tip I should have given; not solars. "I hadn't realized this was your first time on Venus," he said. "It's a simple culture, you know. Not nearly as developed as Mars." "And the natives are only now becoming acquainted with Terran culture.
 The name “Joe,” Terran cigarettes, and their fun jokes.
 The name “Joe,” Terran cigarettes, and their fun jokes.  The name “Joe,” Terran idioms, and Terran spaceships  Terran idioms, Terran cigarettes, and the Terran interest in Venus.  The name “Joe,” Terran spaceships, and Terran cigarettes.