In this story, set sometime in the future, Varon, an intergalactic pirate, manages to steal one of the most valuable items in the universe. When he becomes trapped, Omega offers his help but he has his own reasons for doing so.

A collection of classic and modern stories by some of America's finest writers. The collection brings together six stories which explore the development of the American short story over the past century - from a fierce critique of modern suburban family life to isolation and lost love in the deep mid-west.

Includes stories by Dorothy Parker, Theodore Dreiser, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Patricia Highsmith, O. Henry and Edith Wharton.

* The Gift of the Magi-- by O. Henry.
A young couple exchange Christmas gifts.

* The Lost Phoebe-- by Theodore Dreiser.
An old man cannot accept the loss of his wife.

* The Baby Party-- by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
A child's party has unexpected consequences.

* You Were Perfectly Fine-- by Dorothy Parker.
A young man hears of his adventures on an evening out.

* The Romantic-- by Patricia Highsmith.
A lonely woman finds a new way to create romance.

* Full Circle-- by Edith Wharton.
Fortune leads two writers down opposite roads.
Answer keys and further support are available from the Macmillan Readers student's site: www.macmillanenglish.com/readers