John Isidore's Encounter with the Androids

The special John Isidore befriends the fugitive androids and experiences both companionship and horror.

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Meeting Pris Stratton

A New Neighbor The Knock Isidore hears a TV in the abandoned building and knocks. Pris Stratton answers, frightened and hostile. He offers her margarine, the traditional gift for a new neighbor. First Impressions Pris is cold and distant, but Isidore is thrilled to have company. He senses she is different, but he does not care. He is desperate for connection. The Offer of Help He offers to help her move furniture, but she is wary. He learns her name is Pris Stratton, but she is evasive about her past. Isidore is intrigued.

The Batys Arrive

The Android Group Roy and Irmgard Roy Baty and Irmgard Baty join Pris. They are tense; their friends have been killed. Roy is the leader, confident and calculating. Irmgard is more emotional. The Vote Roy proposes killing Isidore to protect their secret, but Irmgard and Pris vote to keep him. Isidore is grateful and pledges to help them. The Alarm System Roy installs an alarm system in Isidore's apartment. Isidore feels useful. He bonds with the androids, especially Irmgard, who is kind to him.

The Spider Mutilation

Cruelty and Horror Discovery of the Spider Isidore finds a live spider, a rare treasure. He shows it to the androids, expecting delight. Instead, Pris and Irmgard are curious about its legs. The Mutilation Pris uses scissors to cut off the spider's legs, one by one, to see if it can walk. Isidore is horrified but cannot stop them. Roy lights a match to make it move. The Drowning Isidore drowns the spider to end its suffering. The act shatters him. He realizes the androids lack empathy; they are not like him. He sinks into despair.

Buster Friendly's Exposé

The Revelation The Broadcast Buster Friendly reveals that Mercerism is a fraud: the sky is painted, the rocks are fake, and Mercer is a bit actor named Al Jarry. The androids are delighted. Isidore's Crisis Isidore is devastated. He has lived by Mercerism. He retreats to the tomb world, a vision of decay and death. Mercer's Appearance Mercer appears to him, admitting the fraud but insisting that the experience is real. Isidore is comforted. He accepts that the truth does not matter; the connection is what counts.

After the Killings

Loss and Departure The Bodies Deckard retires the androids. Isidore finds Pris's body on the stairs. He is numb with grief. Decision to Leave Isidore decides to leave the building and move to a more populated area. He cannot bear the emptiness and the memories. The Spider's Legacy He releases the spider (or its image) into the garden. He has learned that even artificial life has value. He walks away, forever changed.

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