The Business Man (short story)

The Business Man is a short story by American author Richard Matheson, originally published in Playboy magazine in February 1957 under the title "The Distributor." It is often categorized within the science fiction or horror genres.

The story revolves around Robert Mallory, a seemingly average and somewhat unremarkable businessman, who experiences a profound and disturbing transformation. Mallory finds himself compelled to murder, seemingly at the behest of an unseen force or entity communicating with him through subliminal messages in everyday advertising and other forms of media.

The narrative explores themes of conformity, the insidious power of mass communication, and the potential for ordinary individuals to commit extraordinary acts of violence under external influence. Matheson utilizes suspense and psychological horror to depict Mallory's descent from normalcy to becoming a cold and calculating killer.

Key elements of the plot involve Mallory's mounting paranoia and his struggle to understand and control the urges that are driving him. He attempts to resist the commands he perceives in the media, but the influence proves too strong. The story culminates in a chilling and ambiguous ending, leaving the reader to ponder the nature of the forces at play and the ultimate fate of Mallory.

"The Business Man" is considered one of Matheson's more unsettling and thought-provoking works, frequently anthologized and adapted for various media, including television and radio.