Deep space traveler, Lakshmi Sanger, wakes from cryogenic sleep after his rocket ship's computer discovers a planet that may have intelligent life. After landing his craft, and securing it with a force field, Lakshmi and his companion, a macaque monkey named Zonky, explore the new planet they learn is called Mendicant. The planet is inhabited by obese humanoids and robots, but the robots are in charge. Lakshmi wants to discover intelligent life but his quest fails because the Mendicants are hopelessly dependent on technology which has made them apathetic and stupid. Will Lakshmi help the Mendicants or return to Earth after a failed mission?