Mr. Underhill lives in a town called Two Rivers. He sells android mechanicals, bulky robots that can follow simple instructions to complete basic tasks. One day, he enters a new store that sells sleek, humanoid mechanicals. Underhill returns home, realizing that his business is in jeopardy. Aurora, his wife, has taken in an elderly, sick boarder named Mr. Sledge to help pay bills. Underhill is sure that he won’t be able to pay rent, but he has a soft spot and lets him stay. Sledge is a scientist from the distant planet Wing IV. The next day, a humanoid enters Underhill’s store and pressures him to liquidate. It explains that its kind are far superior to the androids. Under the Prime Directive, humanoids from Wing IV are fully capable of ensuring complete human happiness. Once they have taken over all operations, there will be no need for humans to do anything for themselves. At home, Underhill discovers that Aurora has accepted a humanoid servant. She has so much free time now that she doesn’t have to cook, clean, or care for the children. Panicked, Underhill goes to Sledge, whose condition is worsening. The old man explains that he created the humanoids on Wing IV, but they made people miserable. It was too late to stop them, so he left the planet to prevent them from taking over the universe. He and Underhill start working on a device to remotely turn off the Prime Directive. When the device is finally ready, it doesn’t work. The humanoids force Sledge to accept their help in order to receive critical medical care. Underhill goes to visit him in the hospital. Although Sledge is healthier, the humanoids tell him that he had a brain tumor that caused him to believe he was their creator and was trying to rebel against them. As a humanoid drives him home, Underhill finally accepts their service. Silently, he laments the inescapable prison of his reality.