In Philip K. Dick's "A Scanner Darkly," characters contemplate the existence of another world, highlighting a sense of longing and missed opportunities. Donna recalls a person who once glimpsed that world but never ventured into it. This reflects a struggle between admiration for what lies beyond and the fear of taking action to explore it.

The character's frustration leads him to destructively lash out at his surroundings, symbolizing how yearning for change can turn into despair when opportunities are lost. Ultimately, the world he glimpsed fades away, leaving him with nothing but regret for not having pursued it when he had the chance.