17 Summary

In the mortoruim, Runciter looks in vain for the owner so he can see his wife. Finally, he meets the secretary Miss Beason, who tells him she will have Ella brought out shortly. Eventually, a worker comes out with her casket and Runciter hands him some change as a tip. Looking at the money, the worker asks what kind of money it is. When Runciter looks at the coins, he sees Joe Chip's profile is on each one. The book ends with the line, "This was just the beginning."

17 Analysis

In the final chapter, Dick adds a twist by suggesting Runciter is also in half-life. By doing this, Dick questions the whole nature of reality, saying the world and no one within it is as they seem. For example, in this chapter Runciter cannot find Van Vogelsang, suggesting numerous things, but of which only one...