Summary
As Deckard sets down the receiver to the vidphone in his hovercar, he spots a toad among the stones on the ground outside. He grabs his copy of Sydney’s to confirm that they have toads listed as extinct. Deckard finds a cardboard box in his car and heads for the toad, which he realizes is the same color as the dust-covered ground upon which it sits. Deckard tries to recall what happens to people who find animals believed to be extinct and imagines that there’s some sort of recognition from the U.N. and possibly a stipend. In addition, Deckard reflects on how precious toads are to Mercer. Deckard, in disbelief of his find, then imagines that he might have suffered from radioactive exposure and has now become a special. However, Deckard realizes that he is Mercer and has, therefore, arranged for this serendipitous finding. Deckard captures the toad and thinks about the way in which Mercer sees the world, finding life amongst decaying kipple and dead landscapes. With the weight of his fatigue and depression now lifted, Deckard heads home.

Iran sits at the Penfield Mood Organ, unable to dial due to her feelings of depression. She thinks about Deckard and how he would make her dial a “3,” the setting that would make her want to dial the setting for wanting to watch television. She then wonders whether or not Deckard will ever return when she hears a knock on the door. She answers the door to find Deckard disheveled. Deckard announces that he has something and enters the apartment with the box. Iran wonders if the box contains the clues of what has recently happened to him. Deckard announces that he is going to sleep and that he intends to sleep all day. Iran asks about the box. Deckard unties it and tells Iran to pick up the toad. Iran mentions that she thought toads were extinct and asks if toads, like frogs, were able to jump. Deckard replies that the difference between toads and frogs is that toads have week hind legs and cannot jump like frogs, and that frogs need to live near water whereas toads can live in the desert. Deckard then tells Iran where he found the toad. He reaches to grab the animal from Iran, but realizes that she has found something on its abdomen. Iran flips the toad over and examines its belly where she finds a tiny control panel. Deckard’s elation deflates with this discovery. He places the toad back into its box and wonders how it had gotten to the location where he found it. Iran wonders whether or not she should have allowed Deckard to know that the toad was mechanical. Deckard responds that he prefers to know. Iran offers Deckard use of the mood organ, which he declines. Deckard then says that he thinks the spider Mercer gave to Isidore was probably also mechanical, but that it doesn’t matter because mechanical things “have their lives too.”

Iran comments on Deckard’s appearance and orders him to get some rest. Deckard then provides Iran with details about how, once he started his assignment, he was unable to stop until he finished, although finishing meant that there would be nothing left to accomplish. He reminds Iran of her comment about him being a “crude" cop earlier and he agrees. Iran tells Deckard that she no longer feels this way, and that just having him back makes her happy. Deckard’s response is one of ecstasy. They discuss whether or not Deckard’s actions were wrong and determine that it is a curse...