A bopper's user guide.

When Cobb Anderson returns to Earth and finds himself (himself?) in the body of a robot, he discovers a note that the boppers left for him:

Dear Dr. Anderson!

Welcome to your new hardware! Use it in good repair as a token of gratitude from the entire bopper race!

User's Guide:

1) Your body's skeleton, muscles, processors, etc. are synthetic and self-repairing. Be sure, however, to recharge the power-cells twice a year. Plug is located in left heel.

2) Your brain-functions are partially contained in a remote super-cooled processor. Avoid electromagnetic shielding or noise-sources, as this may degrade the body-brain link. Travel should be undertaken only after consultation.

3) Every effort has been made to transfer your software without distortion. In addition we have built in a library of useful subroutines. Access under password BE-BOPALULA.

Respectfully yours,

The Big Boppers

(Rudy Rucker: p. 112)

The "library of useful subroutines" includes, among other things, the capability to get drunk by quickly inhaling or exhaling through the right or left nostril of his nose, as well as a special program to make love. There is, of course, also a menu option for self-destruction, just in case he finds himself cornered in a difficult spot. In cases like this, Rucker definitely shows his comic side.