Part 4/10:
The harsh realities of their existence reveal themselves further when their mule is injured beyond rescue, leading Ernest to make the painful decision to end its suffering. Back at home, as they struggle through meals of Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), the family's dynamics start to unravel. Jerome engages in drawing creatures he longs to see but cannot, while Mary, his sister, harbors a secret relationship that leads to conflict with Ernest.
As a way to sustain their farm, Jerome and Ernest visit an auction where they bid on a robot named Simulit Shadow (or Sim) to replace the mule. Their victory further complicates their financial struggles, pulling them deeper into debt. Visits to their mother Katherine, who is unable to walk following an accident, reflect the emotional toll on the family.