74.      Observing the Process

Howard experiences his first physical appearance in nearly two centuries by piloting the android Manny to attend his best friend Stéphane's funeral memorial on Vulcan. After successfully navigating the emotional gathering with Stéphane's widow Bridget and their children, Howard returns to VR and reports to Bill and the other Bobs that the physical experience is profoundly more real and intense than virtual reality, prompting discussion of prioritizing the Android Project.

Howard, controlling the android Manny, lands a cargo drone at a funeral home on Vulcan and makes his first public physical appearance in almost two centuries. Despite nervousness, he greets Butterworth and enters the building where Bridget, Stéphane's widow of eighteen years, welcomes him. Howard experiences his first real hug since becoming a replicant and meets Bridget's three children: Rosie, Lianne, and thirteen-year-old Howie. He shares memories of Stéphane with the family and reflects that Stéphane had been his best friend since before his death. When Bridget asks if Manny can eat, Howard explains that Bill plans to make the android more human-like but has been distracted. Bridget hints at a previous conversation they had before Howard left Vulcan, and Howard assures her he will always be available despite being nineteen light-years away. Back in VR, Bill, Garfield, Dexter, and Bob-1 debrief Howard on his experience. Howard describes physical reality as profoundly more intense than VR—an uncontrolled sensory experience versus programmed sensations. Bill mentions his failed attempt to replicate this with baseball games. Bob-1 advocates for prioritizing the Android Project, and despite initial awkwardness, Bill and Bob agree to accelerate the work.