Noowal is a planet with two brainy types of entities. The Wontranas are clearly in charge, with the women taking the leading roles and the men allowed to help if they remember their places. The Beeghys are artists and technicians and often supply the intellect that allows the Wontrana women to succeed. Noowal is known as the universe's junkyard. Spare parts and discarded goods are brought to Noowal for refurbishing and are offered to entities around the universe via the quarterly catalog and the Universal Voice System. Other goods are created on Noowal for the planet's customers. In 2125, the manager of the Noowal Reclamation Bureau asked her senior sales managers to write down their reminiscences of their years selling goods to buyers at far-flung places such as Clarkl, Farnoll, and Drintde. Of course, as with any junkyard, the primary interest of the buyers and sellers is romance. A king's mistress may say she wants to talk about new jewels, but she is primarily interested in keeping the affections of her lover. The clever and kind sales managers at the Bureau always know this.