Chapter 20 Summary

Bryant is pleased with Rick's work and tells him to rest. Rick then tells Isidore that androids are stupid, and Isidore tells him that he wants to move out of the building. Isidore's obvious anguish prompts Rick to reflect once more that he has a terrible job because he is required to do wrong.

Rick returns home and learns that Rachael Rosen killed his goat by pushing it off the roof. Rick prepares to leave, and Iran asks him to stay and says that Buster Friendly claims that Mercer is a fake. Rick tells her it is true, and then drives off to the desert feeling sure he will die.

Chapter 20 Analysis

Isidore's reaction to Stratton's death throws Rick into a kind of moral despair, as he sees once again that androids can provoke empathy in humans. Despite Mercer's assurance that his job...