we can remember it for you wholesale

"We Can Remember It for You Wholesale" is a science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick that explores themes of memory, identity, and reality. The story follows Douglas Quail, a man who wants to visit Mars but cannot afford to. He seeks the services of Rekal Incorporated, a company that implants false memories, to give him the experience of a trip to Mars and even imagines being an undercover agent there. During the process, the technicians discover that Quail already has suppressed real memories of having been to Mars as a secret agent. This leads to a complex unraveling of what is true memory and what is implanted, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. The story poses philosophical questions about the nature of memory and self-identity, and the implications of altering or implanting memories artificially.