It feels absolutely insane that the first thing that brings Hank sincere comfort and happiness is putting on a corporate suit and listening to his voice messages. But those are the exact kind of people Vault Tech wanted to be able to carry out these jobs. Whose lives became so entrenched in their capitalist corporate ladder beliefs they would literally sell their souls and try to play god for the company.

Capitalism and greed has a way of burrowing into people's brains. Turning them into monsters and convincing them that doing the same to others is self purpose. That the next big shiny thing will be the real thing. What its all for. Those desperate for power over themselves and their lives, terrified of not mattering, can easily be manipulated into these systems.

Its easy to sell purpose.

Its so easy in fact that a man literally put his brain into an immortal robot just to be a manager. So of course Hank clings to that microphone utterly convinced somebody is on the other end listening who gives a shit.

Because if the ladder doesn't exists anymore, if his bigwig bosses with their big plans waiting for him to join doesn't exist

He became a monster for absolutely no reason