<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

Delilah and the Space-Rigger is a science fiction short story, written by Robert A. Heinlein, and first published in the December 1949 issue of Blue Book magazine. It is included in Heinlein's 1951 collection The Green Hills of Earth and in his 1967 omnibus of Future History stories, The Past Through Tomorrow.

Plot

Spoiler Warning: Plot details and/or information about the ending follow. If you wish to enjoy the work first, stop reading here and return at another time.

"Tiny" Larsen, the head "Space-Rigger" in charge of construction of the orbital "Space Station One" is delighted that one G. Brooks McNye, a Communications Engineer, has been assigned as the station's new radio technician. When McNye comes aboard and takes off "his" spacesuit helmet, Tiny is shocked and angry to see that the G stands for Gloria.

Tiny attempts to have her transferred, then attempts to fire her, as he is worried that her presence will have a disruptive influence on the all-male crew. He even has her confined to quarters, but the men on her watch suddenly begin developing an unheard of number of radio failures. Even so, Tiny's worries are unfounded--the men on the station work harder in her presence and even begin to shower and shave regularly. And despite his best efforts, Larsen cannot fault her outstanding job performance. She is better trained than all his men.

The men threaten to resign if Brooksie is removed from her duties. Tiny retorts that he cannot have one woman aboard amongst the hundreds of men. And suddenly he realizes the answer to his dilemma. He needs more than one woman. Tiny Larsen relents, welcomes Gloria aboard and sends a message to Earth that both male and female crewmen should be sent to Space Station One. He also asks that a chaplain be assigned to the station. "We may need one anytime," Tiny reasons.