47.      New Village

Howard conducts business matters for the Enniscorthy Distillery Company on Vulcan with Bridget and Stéphane, discussing the company's success and plans for a planetbound facility. The conversation turns to Howard's nature as a replicant, his subjective lifespan, and the differences between Bob clones and other replicants.

Howard reviews the distillery company's spreadsheet with Bridget and Stéphane, noting they are keeping up with orders through a cash-on-delivery payment system and have decided to establish a planetbound distillery with Stéphane's involvement. Bridget complains of backaches, prompting Stéphane to suggest she see a doctor. Howard remarks that as a replicant, he can avoid such issues if desired but prefers to keep things realistic. Bridget asks Howard about his age and immortality. Howard explains his personal subjective timeline: eight years as Howard, but memories extending back through Original Bob's childhood (approximately 29 years), four years as Bob-1, four years as Riker, fifteen years as Charles, totaling roughly sixty years of subjective experience despite relativistic time dilation complications. He clarifies that Bob clones do not share thoughts after being created and wake with only the memories from their backup moment. Bridget expresses uncertainty about handling such an existence. Howard makes a joke about death being unprofitable. They discuss Henry Roberts, the non-Bob replicant from Australia, and his past sensory deprivation issues, which Howard suggests have been resolved for future replicants. Howard playfully asks if Bridget is considering replicant status, which she denies while claiming curiosity. Stéphane remarks that immortality sounds appealing.