Book excerpt: From the acclaimed author of Ubik—in the future, Earth’s leader is randomly chosen by a computer, but some are unwilling to leave everything to chance. In 2203 anyone can become the ruler of the solar system. There are no elections, no interviews, no prerequisites whatsoever—it all comes down to the random turns of a giant wheel. But when a new Quizmaster takes over, the old one still keeps some rights, namely the right to hire an unending stream of assassins to attempt to kill the new leader. In the wake of the most recent change in leadership, employees of the former ruler scurry to find an assassin who can get past telepathic guards. But when one employee switches sides, troubling facts about the lottery system come to light, and it just might not be possible for anyone to win. “Built up with the detail of a Heinlein and the satire of a Kornbluth.”—Anthony Boucher, author of The Case of the Crumpled Knave