"Without the Option" is a short story by P. G. Wodehouse, and features the young gentleman Bertie Wooster and his valet Jeeves.

Sippy, who assaulted the police, is ordered to serve a sentence of thirty days without the option of a fine.

Though he normally drinks in moderation, Bertie lets himself go on Boat Race night; while celebrating, he saw his friend Oliver "Sippy" Sipperley.

To improve his morale, Bertie suggested Sippy steal a policeman's helmet.

Later, Jeeves tells Bertie that Miss Sipperley is prejudiced against police because the local constable has been bothering her.

The story was illustrated by George Wright in the Saturday Evening Post, and by A. Wallis Mills in the Strand.

However elements of the plot, namely Bertie being fined 5 pounds, and relating the story of stealing a policeman's hat, are utilised in the programme's first episode, Jeeves Takes Charge.

The theme of Bertie descending on some host impersonating someone else recurs in The Mating Season, which was adapted in Series 3, Episode 4 of Jeeves and Wooster.