Being Good

Abstract

Blade runner Dave Holden prompts Leon Kowalski, ostensibly a new employee at the Tyrell Corporation, to ‘Describe in single words, only the good things that come into your mind about your mother.’ Deckard explains with regard to Gaff’s ‘cityspeak,’ ‘I didn’t really need a translator. I knew the lingo, every good cop did.’ Responding to Bryant’s demand that he hunt down and retire the four rogue replicants, Deckard responds, ‘I don’t work here anymore. Give it to Holden, he’s good,’ to which Bryant replies: ‘I did. He can breathe okay as long as nobody unplugs him. He’s not good enough, not good as you.’ Pris remarks to a surprised J. F. Sebastian, ‘We scared each other pretty good, didn’t we?’ Upon entering his cluttered apartment, Sebastian is greeted by his mechanical friends, ‘Home again, home again, jiggity jig. Good evening J. F.,’ to which he responds, ‘Good evening, fellas.’ Later, as Roy Batty contemplates Sebastian’s chess game and is about to move a piece, Sebastian remarks, ‘No, knight takes queen, see. No good.’ After Pris explains to Sebastian, ‘I think, Sebastian, therefore I am,’ Roy praises her: ‘Very good Pris, now show him why.’

‘I thought you were supposed to be good. Aren’t you the “Good Man”?’

(Roy Batty, to Deckard)