Paine is responsible for inspecting and repairing the LAFFF's outer hull while it is in free fall, a job that requires a high level of skill and precision. As the story unfolds, Paine becomes increasingly obsessed with the work and its effects on his mental state. He experiences hallucinations and visions of strange and alien beings and develops an intense fear of heights and open spaces.
As Paine's condition deteriorates, he confides in his colleague, a woman named Marilyn. Marilyn tries to help him and even suggests that he seek professional counseling. Still, Paine becomes more and more detached from reality and begins to question the true nature of his existence.
The story reaches a climax when Paine loses his grip while performing maintenance work on the LAFFF's exterior and begins to float away into space. As he faces certain death, he experiences a moment of profound realization and achieves a state of enlightenment. The story ends with Paine embracing his destiny and letting go of his fears, ultimately transcending the limitations of his physical existence.
In summary, LAFFF explores themes of alienation, mental health, and the human experience's existential nature in a dystopian setting. Through the protagonist's journey, Philip K. Dick challenges readers to question the boundaries of reality and the role of the individual in a complex and ever-changing universe.