In twelve short real - time years as a Copy , he’d tried to explore every possibility , map out every consequence of what he’d become . He’d transformed his surroundings , his body , his personality , his perceptions – but he’d always owned the experience himself . The tricks he’d played on his memory had added , never erased – and whatever changes he’d been through , there was always only one person , in the end , taking responsibility , picking up the pieces . One witness , unifying it all . The truth was , the thought of finally surrendering that unity made him dizzy with fear . It was the last vestige of his delusion of humanity . The last big lie .