The Lonely

Corry's confinement to the asteroid is an example of cruel and unusual punishment because no one should be treated this way. Corry was punished for killing someone that was trying to attack him; it was self-defense.  The loneliness that Corry feels is made worse by the space ship that brings him food every three months because he has the human contact at those times and realizes what he is missing.  When Corry is first seen, he has been imprisoned for four years and is suffering from loneliness, expressing thoughts of desperation, insanity, and suicide. The humane Captain Allen takes pity on Corry and brings him a female robot named Alicia for companionship. Corry feels like he is being mocked and rejects Alicia's companionship because she is a "machine." Eventually he comes to value her company and spends nights star gazing and talking with Alicia. Alicia offers a convincing replica of a human woman and interacts with Corry in convincing ways. When the spaceship comes back, Corry learns that his sentence has been shortened and he can now return to Earth. Unfortunately, the spaceship only has room for Corry and Alicia has to stay behind. In his heart, Corry believes Alicia is a woman and he begs Captain Allen to take her back to Earth. He says it is murder if they leave Alicia behind. They shoot Alicia in the face and Corry can see that she was a robot; her face is all computer boards and screws. Corry sadly goes to the spaceship and the narrator talks about how the man's machines are left behind, including the one kept alive buy love.  Corry leaves the asteroid disheartened because his companion is now dead and he is once again alone.