LX 2048 (2020) - full transcript
A fatal ill man tries to secure the future of his family in a world where the toxicity of the sun forces people to stay inside during the daytime.
[??]
So, we got
the results back.
And...?
You're on Premium 3.
You have an alternative here
that most people
nowadays do not.
Am I dying?
-If I am, just--
-You're not dying.
Yet.
Your heart is definitely
failing though.
You can be saved
with the right donor,
but time is your biggest enemy.
And accidents
are so rare these days.
-What about a clone organ?
-When you're dead,
you'll be eligible
for a total upgrade.
Look, there are no short cuts.
Premium 3
is technically there
to protect your spouse,
to make sure
she's not left alone
with a burden
of raising three kids.
It's not there
to benefit you, per se.
[SIGHS]
I suppose your wife
could put in a request for you.
It's uncommon,
but State might approve
under the circumstances.
Well, we're
kind of separated, so...
It says here...
you're still married.
We just never completed
the paperwork.
Got it.
Look, my wife insisted
on doing
everything virtually.
I feel
there are still some things
that you have to live through
in the real world.
Like being told
that your heart is failing.
[SIGHS]
Exactly.
You're a clone, aren't you?
You asked for a day meeting.
I'm sure
you can guess the answer.
Do you ever go out there
and look at the sun
with you own eyes?
I mean, it doesn't burn
your kind, right?
[??]
It's called
augmented pigmentation.
One of the many advantages
of the cloning process,
but don't envy me.
There are limitations
beyond the Premium 3 cases.
I am going to book you
a meeting with a therapist.
I think it would do you good
in these trying times.
[SENSOR BEEPS]
Virtual?
Nighttime or daytime?
[LOCK BEEPS AND SECURES]
[??]
ADAM: Can we please meet
in the real world?
Okay, well, can I come
to the house then?
Can I come over?
Please?!
Please, I need to see you
and the kids!
It's important!
Jesus Christ,
can you forget
about the goddamn papers
for one fucking minute?!
[GRUNTS]
I'm dying, Reena, all right.
I am dying.
That's what I'm so upset about.
Is that a good enough reason?
[DRY CHUCKLE]
You hope I sign
the papers beforehand?
That's what you have
to say to me?
For Christ sakes...
No, don't say sorry.
What does that even mean?
I'm the father
of your children,
and I just told you
that I am dying,
and all you care about
is some papers?
Fuck you!
You know, I can't believe
I ever loved you.
[BEEPS OFF]
FEMALE DEEJAY [OVER RADIO]:
All you early risers,
day creatures,
noon lizards,
people of the sun,
the few and far between
still holding onto the days,
still believing in the light,
this song is for you.
And be careful out there,
sunburn cutoff is 7:22 p.m.
and toxic level drop off
is 8:05.
Thank God for Lithium X.
[IAN RICHTER'S "FIVE STAR MAN"
PLAYING OVER RADIO]
? The walk of a leopard
In the midnight sun ?
? So they're under the radar
Like a B-21 ?
? Kill their instincts
Out of vampire bats ?
? Now we're pushin' out
The haters ?
? And the copycats ?
? Well, why's that? ?
? 'Cause I'm a five star man ?
? I'm a five star man ?
? I'm a five star man
I'm a five star man ?
? I'm a five star man
I'm a five star man ?
? Catch me if you can
'Cause I'm a five star man ?
? So come on ?
? It's all right ?
? You hate my way
But you love my flair, unh ?
Yeah, it works.
It's the best roam tracker
I've ever seen.
I don't know
how you guys did it.
Dental records, huh?
Clever.
Well, look, guys, not to knock
the wind out of your sails,
but VR technology
is yesterday's news.
Everything's going CHIP now.
Simple installation,
and bye bye, goggles.
Heh, I mean, sooner or later,
I'm gonna be out of a job.
[WHIRRS]
[BLINDS CLATTER]
[VACUUM WHIRRING]
Hello.
-[LIQUID SPILLS]
-Ah! Shit!
[GROANS]
Ah, shit!
ADAM: They say that
it operates directly,
right into the brain--
no goggles, no avatars,
no world building.
Heh. It's kind of like
a self-controlled dream,
I suppose.
Look, you hired me
to be your eyes and ears here,
hopefully not just because
I'm always available
to you in daytime.
Thank you, I'm not
fishing for compliments.
What I'm trying to tell you
is that what I see in here
is that CHIP is taking over.
We need to stop investing
in VR tech.
We need to focus
all our resources
and energy
into developments for CHIP.
Are you not listening
to what I'm saying?
I'm trying to save
your company!
VR tech is expensive
and hard to come by,
and all your buyers
are going under anyhow
because there's
so much free content
all over the realm.
Did you just ask me
about my meds?
[SCOFFS]
Is that a joke?
I'm here, working for you
in the real world,
sitting in an actual office,
ready to kick ass,
and where are you?
Sniffing pristine in bed
while getting a blow job
from your avatar girlfriend?
No, I won't calm down.
We're going under!
We need to get ahead
of the market
and we need to do it now!
[ELEVATOR BELL RINGS]
Can I help you?
I... have a day meeting
with Dr. Maple.
Yeah. Adam Bird.
I see it.
Thumbprint and iris.
Clear.
All right.
I'm gonna open the door
and let you in
to the screening area.
I want you to remove
the hazmat suit,
and take your place
on the mark.
[DOOR BUZZES OPEN]
[GRUNTS]
[PANTING]
Carrying
any weapons?
Pepper spray?
Taser?
Shocker?
Might want to consider it
if you're gonna be
roaming around daytime.
Arms up.
[LIGHTS WHINING]
Okay, you're clear.
She's expecting you.
[DOOR BUZZES OPEN]
So I see you were referred
to us by Dr. Rhys?
ADAM:
Yep.
She's a good doctor.
ADAM:
I'll take your word for it.
You don't think that?
I would if she cured me.
You seem quite frustrated.
I'm dying.
That's certainly unfortunate.
You want to tell me more?
I wake up
in the morning,
I go out there--
no one else does
any more, but I do--
I go out,
I see the decay.
I see the blazing sun.
I take the stairs
up to my office,
but the only other ones there
are the clones.
No, no offense.
None taken.
What do you have
against clones?
We're not robots, you know.
We're all biologically
reconstructed.
Just can't relate
emotionally to you people.
Are you afraid to die?
All normal people
are afraid to die.
You're afraid to die
because it comes with
something like a grade
for your achievements in life,
or lack thereof?
Yeah, something like that.
You surprised I understand you,
me being a clone and all?
No.
Your kind is
very perceptive.
But...?
Something's missing.
When I look
in your eyes,
I see reason, wisdom,
but no instinct
or compassion.
All predestined thoughts,
computer-like.
You want me
to surprise you.
[SCOFFS]
Isn't that what life
is all about?
[??]
[WHIRRS AND BEEPS]
[PEOPLE CHATTERING]
-MAN: Brenda?
-BRENDA: Hi!
-BRENDA: You're off early!
-MAN: Hey, look at you!
MAN:
Yeah, I had an early meeting.
[MAN SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY]
WOMAN:
Have a nice night.
Honey?
[SIGHS]
[RACQUET STRIKING TENNIS BALL,
SOUNDS OF FANS CHEERING]
Die, motherfucker!
-[MUTED GUNSHOT SOUNDS]
-Die, die, die, die!
Die, motherfucker!
Die, die, die, die!
[SMALL WAVES CRASHING]
[MOANING]
[MOANING INCREASES]
[LOUD MOANING]
[CLIMAXING]
[GASPS]
ADAM: Reena, I am so sorry
that you had to see that.
I... I used
to lock the door,
but nobody ever
comes in anymore.
I was sitting there
on a beach,
and then all of a sudden,
I just hear this huffing
and puffing and grunting!
And thank God the kids
are connected,
they should have to hear
their father wailing
like some wild
fucking animal!
I'm sorry, Reena.
I... I...
I don't know what else
to say.
At least I have
to reassure you
that our kids
do not see
or hear anything anymore.
[DRY CHUCKLE]
God, you just
hate us all, don't you?
How can you say that?
[SOBBING]
REENA: How long
has this thing been going on?
I don't know.
[SIGHS]
A while.
What is it?
It's like a chat room?
You meet another woman
while you stick your dick
in a rubber doll
and she puts a dildo
up her ass?
Oh, come on,
don't talk like that.
Why, you think
your boring wife
can't be as dirty
as some other whore
in the room?
It's not what you think.
Well then,
what is it?
[LASER BUZZING]
[??]
[CHIMES]
[MAN CHATTERING IN DISTANCE]
[CHIMES]
[WHIRRS, BEEPS]
Fuck.
Fuck me.
[DEVICE BEEPS ON]
Dial Reena.
Redial Reena.
Send Reena a graphic message:
I'm outside your door--
if you don't answer,
I'm going to break it down.
[SCOFFS]
What the hell
are you doing here?
I still have
a restraining order
against you.
I'll call the cops
and you're gonna be locked up.
-Is that what you want?
-No.
I want to talk to you.
I need to talk to you.
Please.
No.
Call me tomorrow.
No--
Please, Reena.
I need to talk to you,
the real you.
Can I-- Can I just
come inside for
a few minutes?
No. The kids are here.
Well, but that's great.
I'd love to see them too.
Well, they're connected
and I'd rather
they don't know you're here,
so don't make a scene.
[SIGHS]
I'll put something on
and come out.
[DOOR CLOSES]
All right, I'm here.
Speak.
So, um...
I'm dying.
Yeah. You told me.
Come on, Reena.
What do you want?
Look, we're, uh...
The house is
this one and mine.
We're in a lot
of debt, Reena.
We're still paying
mortgage on both.
Debt?
No, we've been
paying it off for years now.
I've been paying it.
And I have been raising
our kids
while you've been off
doing your daytime bullshit,
so don't treat me
like I'm worthless.
No, I'm just saying,
if I go,
then all these payments,
who's gonna make 'em?
Well, what about
your insurance?
Plus, we're on Premium 3,
so your clone
is just gonna come in
and take over your job.
Yeah, but see,
there's, uh,
there's this new thing
called CHIP.
Yeah, I know
what CHIP is.
Jenny has it.
Everyone who's worth a damn
has it.
All of our kids' friends
at school have it.
No, no, don't encourage
the kids with the shit.
Hey, you don't get
to decide anymore, okay.
I don't want to hear it.
My company
might go under.
The board, they're
these rich men
from Europe,
old money.
I tried to tell them
about CHIP, I tried,
but they don't want
to hear it, they're all
still stuck on VR.
What are you trying to say?
If we go under,
then my job
will cease to exist.
And equally bad,
they're won't be
any company
to cover
the life insurance.
Oh, okay, I get it.
All of this is just
you trying to renegotiate.
[SCOFFS]
That's why
you wouldn't sign the papers.
You're a sneaky bastard.
I bet you're not even
really dying, are you?
No, I'm not trying
to go back on our agreement.
I'm worried about you
and the kids, don't you see?
I don't have a plan B!
When I go,
I want to make sure
that you're all
taken care of.
Yeah, well,
you figure it out.
That's the one fucking thing
that you're good at.
I...
I'm trying, but...
[SIGHS]
It would help to have
a little more time.
Look, I was wondering
if maybe you would
make a request...
Forget it.
You know, I just
can't follow you sometimes.
What is so hard
to follow?
If I die,
my company will go under.
If I have
a little more time,
I think I can save it.
What is even wrong
with you anyhow?
They say my heart
is failing.
Like it's slowing down
or something.
I don't feel any pain.
Heck, I don't feel
anything at all,
but that's what they say.
[??]
That's pretty ironic.
Why?
Because when we met,
I thought for sure
you were gonna be somebody.
You know,
you had this passion.
It's like your heart
was beating twice as strong
as anyone I'd ever met.
Can you just
take your Lithium X
like everybody else
and figure out
a solution before you go?
Please.
That way, you won't be
going out like such a loser.
[??]
ADAM:
Yeah, I'm looking
for "Jerry Fischer"?
I know it's a retirement home,
I can see it.
No, I understand
you're all asleep,
I just thought
maybe some of them
might get up for the sunlight?
Good for the bones.
No, you wouldn't know,
not anymore.
Look, I need to talk to him.
Can I leave a message?
Donald Stein
has a chip on his shoulder
and I want to help him
remove it.
Okay? Donald Stein.
That's it.
What happened?
Hey, are you crying?
I don't think
I've ever seen you cry.
ADAM: It's--
It's not me you're seeing,
even though
I wish you could see
the real me somehow.
What do you look like
in the real world?
Do you want to tell me?
ADAM:
I look exactly the same.
-Exactly?
-Down to the last detail.
I love the way you look.
ADAM: Heh, you're programmed
to love the way I look.
No, you gave me
"AI freedom," remember?
I can love whatever I want,
whoever I want.
And I love you.
ADAM [SCOFFS]:
What do you love about me?
I love your eyes,
the way you look at me.
I don't think anyone else
can look at me this way.
ADAM:
How do I look at you?
Like how is
the sun and the moon
the mother and the whore
all at once?
ADAM:
But not the wife.
I know my place.
Why wish for something
you can't have?
ADAM:
Yeah, but why have anything?
Why do we need to possess
someone in order to love them?
We can love three kids,
but only one woman? One man?
I don't really know
what love is.
Your dictionary says
it's an "intense feeling
of deep affection."
If that's true then,
I think I might love you.
ADAM: But in order
to feel truly loved,
I need to know
that you chose me.
And in order to choose me,
you'd have to be real,
to have options.
To be more than
just my own fantasy.
That's a lot
of high talk, Adam.
How long have you been
skipping your medication?
ADAM: You know, somehow,
you're the only one
who can ask me that
without upsetting me.
'Cause I understand you
better than...
anyone out there.
We're both trapped in a world
that doesn't live up
to our expectations.
I want to know what it feels
like to breathe real air,
even if it means
I have to choke first!
-Calm down...
-[MUFFLED SPEECH]
...or it's going
to be very messy.
Relax, and I'm gonna let go.
Yes?
[GASPS]
[PANTING]
-Jesus fucking Christ.
-Not quite.
I haven't conquered
immortality yet.
Who the fuck are you?
How'd you get in here?
You think that little
fingerprint lock can stop me?
[CHUCKLES]
You don't even know
who I am, do you?
Donald Stein?
Fifteen years
Fifteen fucking years
I stay out of the limelight,
and then I get a call?
Adam Bird?
How in the fuck
did you find me?
And what the fuck
do you know about CHIP?
Y-y-you don't
need that.
I'm dying anyway.
That's why I looked
for you.
Honestly, you've no...
[SCOFFS]
Get dressed.
Let's take this show
to the living room, shall we?
[??]
When I said get dressed,
I was thinking more like PJs.
I wanted you
to take me seriously.
Nothing more serious
than this, my friend.
Well, you better tell me
a very, very good bedtime story,
because of my time at life,
sometimes my fingers just--
I think you invented it.
CHIP.
I don't know why you're hiding
in some retirement home
instead of about to be
the richest man alive, but...
You with state?
Ah, fuck,
I should've known.
I didn't think
a daytime person
fit the profile,
but hey...
[SCOFFS]
I'm not with state.
What, is this a test?
They watching me?
I kept my mouth shut!
[WHISPERS]
I kept quiet.
Honestly, I'm--
I'm not with state.
-Then what the fuck is this?
-I just-- I just--
-Huh?
-I just need your help.
-With what?
-I have to save my company.
-For what?
-For-- For my family.
See, and it all rests
on CHIP.
Who told you
I invented CHIP?
No one, I swear.
See, uh-- Uh--
I was at my doctor's,
and she reminded me
about "Premium 3."
Now, I didn't think
anything of it at the time,
but suddenly it dawned on me.
Like a sign from above.
You know,
it all clicked.
I knew I had to find you.
MALE STATE CLERK:
Okay, how we all doin' today?
Let me first just say,
congratulations to you both.
Thank you.
Your accomplishment
is very rare these days.
Accomplishment?
Three kids.
I mean, I'm not sure
that you're aware,
but we are experiencing
a massive decline
in population
over the last few decades.
You know, people
aren't getting married anymore.
They're barely having sex.
Fewer and fewer
want the responsibility
or the burden
or raising real children.
Yeah, well, we know.
My-my husband
works for Tech Broker,
so he's at the very forefront
of the technological
revolution.
I wouldn't expect you,
out of all people,
to father three children.
No, you see, for me,
it's the exact opposite.
Knowing the risks
has made me aim much bigger,
a proponent
for the physical world.
We love the sound
of that here at State.
You know, I think
all those people
out in the realm,
they forget that
they still need
their physical bodies
in order to experience
everything that they do there.
I, for one,
am a true believer
that nothing can replace
the true sense of touch.
The warmth.
Of another human body.
Okay, Mr....?
Ryan. Dennis Ryan.
With all due respect,
what's this about?
State is very aware
of the many challenges
that today's would be parents
are facing, and as such,
State is highly committed
to ensuring that
our plant survives
in good order
for the many future generations
to come.
So what, is there
some kind of allowance?
No. Heh. No.
Nothing like that, Mrs. Bird,
though our name may deceive you.
We put together a program
that will protect
the future well being
of the modern family.
It's called "Premium 3."
And it was designed
and spearheaded
by our very own
chief genetic engineer.
What, Donald Stein?
Him and no other...
You invented "Premium 3."
And even before,
you were right there.
I mean,
from the very beginning,
they called you
the father of human cloning.
I need a drink.
I'm happy to fix you one.
Do you smoke?
What does it look like?
You know what I mean.
How?
I've got a guy
who's got a guy.
You think we--?
How did you find me?
They pitched me
this roam tracker.
It hacks
every listed VR member
in the Dental Association.
Dental record, huh?
Clever.
Then it looks
for virtual X-rays
that match
more than one identity.
You may be
the smartest man alive,
but Jerry Fischer
and Donald Stein
have exactly
the same cavities.
Not to mention,
the same dentist.
[LAUGHING]
[ADAM LAUGHING]
Yeah...
Why did you fall off
the grid?
I mean, they said
you went mad,
but judging
by your paranoia,
I'd say you were pushed
out the door.
Why don't you file that
under none of
your damn business,
and you tell me what
all this has to do
with CHIP.
So how exactly does it work?
Well, you both fill out
an application.
Now, the application allows
for a little bit of leeway,
not too much,
but the idea being
to satisfy
the remaining mournful spouse,
there is a little leeway.
What do you mean, leeway?
You can tailor
your insurance spouse,
a bit, so that
maybe they come back
to you just perfect.
Perfect, how?
Well, I mean,
that's all very subjective,
but take Reena here,
for example.
And I'm not...
I'm saying you love her.
There's no doubt
how much you love her,
but maybe aren't there things
that you might think
to yourself,
"What if...?"
No.
That's great.
True love.
Very rare.
But if there
was anything, well,
now there's
a little bit of leeway.
[REENA CHUCKLES]
You keep on saying that.
I do. I do.
Now, if you choose
to proceed,
you'll both fill out
the application
in complete confidence--
no one ever finds out
what their other spouse
may or may not wish to change,
but then, again,
if the unfortunate event
does arrive,
you'll have something
to look forward to.
I-- I don't know
about this.
Mr. Bird, your clone
will still have
all of your DNA.
your genes,
your general look,
as well as
most of your memories,
your thoughts,
your predisposition.
We just left a little bit
of room for improvement.
How long is
the eligibility for?
Well, the policy will protect
your entire household
till the last child turns 18.
Then, one would hope
that your child
would become
less of a burden.
Um, what do you mean,
the entire household?
The kids too?
Yeah, until the age of 18.
Now, of course,
we wouldn't have you
fill out any paperwork
on them
unless, God forbid,
tragedy calls for it.
[COMPUTER DEVICE WHIRRS]
How does that concern me,
or CHIP for that matter?
Clones don't burn.
It's called
augmented pigmentation.
But "augmented
pigmentation"
was not on the sheet.
All the choices you gave us
in "Premium 3"
were about maximizing
our human potential,
things that we could train
to do better,
or else improve
through surgery--
but there's no training,
no surgery.
It can teach my brain
to increase pigmentation.
Even if you cloned it,
it wouldn't work.
Not unless you added
something in the process.
You mean, like a CHIP
that would trigger
heightened reaction
in your skin cells?
Or else pump endorphins
to your brain...
so you wouldn't have
to take a pill anymore?
Well, you said it.
[??]
It all started
as a military grade
limb replacement program.
Sure enough,
everything went drone,
and my department
became obsolete.
No more injured soldiers
to fix.
But then,
the big heat up happened,
and it created
this sudden desperate need
for augmented day workers,
so they just diverted
the whole program.
They gave us permission
to start resurrecting the dead.
And human cloning was born.
I gotta say,
it really does something
to a man--
creating life,
out of nothing.
You could just have a baby--
Yeah, but that leaves
everything to chance--
what we were doing eliminated
the factor of surprise.
We knew exactly
who we were getting--
perfect, trained,
and most importantly,
perfectly satisfied
state personnel,
workers
whose sole purpose
was to work
solidly, brilliantly,
under the blazing sun.
You mean like
biological robots?
Mm-mm.
I mean like
enhanced human beings.
-Enhanced?
-Uh-huh.
WOMAN [OVER P.A.]:
Having a third child?
Ask your doctor
about Premium 3.
Premium 3:
Your family's future...
REENA:
Well, that was a bit funny.
ADAM:
I can't believe we said yes.
Why?
You're the one
that's always so worried
about our survival.
Well, this isn't
about survival.
This is about, deep down,
you wanting me to be
slightly different.
Why do you always have
to look at things like that?
Look, I wouldn't want
to live without you, okay?
Is that such a bad thought?
So did you ask for me
to come back
exactly as I am?
Did you?
I asked you first.
-You're such a hypocrite.
-I'm just--
They said,
"just a little leeway"?
But then there are all these
pages and pages and categories.
How is that helpful?
I thought it was interesting.
It allowed me
to imagine you at your best.
Do I want to be better? Sure.
But the person I love,
I don't want them
to imagine me
any different.
I want them to love me
as I am.
And that is
completely relatable,
of course it is.
I've been there.
And what I needed
to cure that
was a smartly constructed
virtual lover.
You had a virtual lover too?
It's not what you think.
Well then,
what is it?
It's just an avatar.
It's not a real woman.
She doesn't exist.
REENA:
But she does exist, right?
In your mind,
she exists.
You think of her
when you have a hard-on.
Her, not me.
Well, what about you?
I mean,
when was the last time
-you even looked at me?
-[SCOFFS]
Have you looked
at me lately?
Yeah! And I see
a beautiful 37-year-old woman
who can easily be
10 years younger.
Then I think to myself,
for all this expensive
skin care regimen,
what's it for?!
I mean, you never
leave the house.
It's certainly
not for me.
Oh, my God, you think
that I have someone?
Is that
such a crazy idea?
You're pathetic.
I'm pathetic?
[SCOFFS]
I sacrifice
everything for you,
for us.
You didn't sacrifice shit!
You just gave up.
And then you used me
and the kids as an excuse.
What, you think
that I didn't have dreams,
that all I wanted was
just to be a stay-at-home mom?
Wait, enlighten me, Reena.
What was your big dream again?
Because I don't
really remember.
All you ever do
is dive on the realm.
I don't even know
if that counts as being home.
That's where
your kids are, asshole.
You know, they don't want
to play soccer or catch.
I meet them there
and you could've done the same
if you wanted
to spend time with them,
instead of wasting it
on this stupid
realm order whore.
I didn't mean
to hurt you, Reena.
[SCOFFS]
I just needed some comfort.
So...
Unhappy.
Have you
ever considered
that by going
against the current,
you're making
yourself unhappy?
Don't you think
there's a reason
they invented Lithium X?
You, you say
you hate the realm,
but you choose to sleep
through the night
when the few people
you can actually engage with
are awake?
Of course you're lonely.
You'll never be happy
until you accept the fact
that there is nothing
too exceptional about you.
You're just average.
-[SCOFFS]
-But that's okay,
'cause I-I like average.
Average is stable.
You can count on
average.
Is that what you asked for
if I die?
The most average version of me?
'Cause I have
a hard time believing that.
You're fucking impossible,
do you know that?
Look, if you want
to stay with me,
you're gonna have
to delete her.
I want to be on the realm
and I want
to see you delete her.
Either that, or you get
yourself a good lawyer.
I won't--
I won't do it.
I can't.
I get that you want
to make me feel small,
but I can't let you
kill our trust.
[SOBS]
Kill our trust?
After what you've done,
you want me to trust you?
That is a big laugh.
Look, if we can't trust
each other, then we're doomed.
It doesn't matter what
I do, we're doomed.
How can I trust you
when you won't even
delete a stupid avatar
-to show me that you care?
-It's not about that!
It's about the fact that
you need the validation
that you don't trust me
not to do it again!
-I don't trust you.
-Then what's the point?!
You cheated on me!
I used a sex doll.
Hardly cheating!
There was AI avatar
at the other end
of that sex doll.
I spend five times
the amount of hours
on the realm that you do--
I know how real an avatar
can feel.
You-you felt something
for this-this thing.
I mean, what do
I even call it?
-Maria.
-Oh, what?!
-That's her name.
-[SCOFFS]
Jesus, I don't want
to know her fucking name!
[SIGHS]
[WHISPERS]
Yeah, right.
REENA:
Well, we wanted to talk to you.
-We wanted to tell you--
-Together.
Because we wanted
to tell you
that even though
you thought
your dad was away
on a long business trip,
the truth is that he's actually
moved out of the house.
What?
When?
Since Mom cracked
his head open.
Kenny!
-It's gonna be fine, Nate.
-[NATE SOBBING QUIETLY]
Stop crying.
Tell him
it's gonna be fine, Dad.
Tell him
you're coming back home.
Your father can't
tell you that, Joshua,
because your father
has found a new woman.
[WHISPERING]
No, I didn't!
What are you doing?
Why are you telling them that?
Because it's true.
Have a new girlfriend?
No, no, I--
No, I don't.
Look, um...
Your mother and I,
we just--
Just what?
We don't get along anymore,
not like we used to.
You know, like, maybe
with your friends in school.
We don't go
to an actually school, Dad.
But-but you have--
You have friends, right?
You mean
realm buddies?
Yeah, realm buddies.
Would you guys every have
a falling out?
You know, like, uh,
the guy who's
your best buddy
on the realm,
but then, you just...
Oh, just what?
[SHARPLY]
You don't connect anymore.
Not like you used to.
Look, what your father
is trying to say
is that he would be happier
living alone
with a rubber doll than having
all of us around him.
What the fuck is wrong
with you?
Look at your kids, Adam.
You're about to lose
your kids.
Are they not
more important to you
than some stupid avatar?
Do you want me to stay?
I mean, you don't
love me anymore--
it's so obvious
that you name the worst.
Can you just
get out of here, please?
Come here, baby.
[??]
So then, came the lawyers?
ADAM [SNIFFS]:
Yeah.
She told State
I was skipping my medication,
and she used
the rubber doll incident
to get a restraining order
against me,
which limited my time
with the kids
to virtual visits only,
like I was some kind
of fucking pervert
who is a risk
to their own children.
That's heavy.
Here.
Have another.
[POURS LIQUID]
So now, you're diagnosed
with this heart condition,
and you feel
like the only way
you can die in peace
is to get your company ahead
with some CHIP technology
so you can save your job
for your Premium 3 replacement?
Pretty much.
This may sound strange
poor for me, but...
I think
we're all connected.
Not necessarily
in a religious sense.
But more in terms
of some...
collective fate.
Please consider
the random nature
of our creation.
What if my mom
had missed her train
the day she met
my father?
Would
So, we got
the results back.
And...?
You're on Premium 3.
You have an alternative here
that most people
nowadays do not.
Am I dying?
-If I am, just--
-You're not dying.
Yet.
Your heart is definitely
failing though.
You can be saved
with the right donor,
but time is your biggest enemy.
And accidents
are so rare these days.
-What about a clone organ?
-When you're dead,
you'll be eligible
for a total upgrade.
Look, there are no short cuts.
Premium 3
is technically there
to protect your spouse,
to make sure
she's not left alone
with a burden
of raising three kids.
It's not there
to benefit you, per se.
[SIGHS]
I suppose your wife
could put in a request for you.
It's uncommon,
but State might approve
under the circumstances.
Well, we're
kind of separated, so...
It says here...
you're still married.
We just never completed
the paperwork.
Got it.
Look, my wife insisted
on doing
everything virtually.
I feel
there are still some things
that you have to live through
in the real world.
Like being told
that your heart is failing.
[SIGHS]
Exactly.
You're a clone, aren't you?
You asked for a day meeting.
I'm sure
you can guess the answer.
Do you ever go out there
and look at the sun
with you own eyes?
I mean, it doesn't burn
your kind, right?
[??]
It's called
augmented pigmentation.
One of the many advantages
of the cloning process,
but don't envy me.
There are limitations
beyond the Premium 3 cases.
I am going to book you
a meeting with a therapist.
I think it would do you good
in these trying times.
[SENSOR BEEPS]
Virtual?
Nighttime or daytime?
[LOCK BEEPS AND SECURES]
[??]
ADAM: Can we please meet
in the real world?
Okay, well, can I come
to the house then?
Can I come over?
Please?!
Please, I need to see you
and the kids!
It's important!
Jesus Christ,
can you forget
about the goddamn papers
for one fucking minute?!
[GRUNTS]
I'm dying, Reena, all right.
I am dying.
That's what I'm so upset about.
Is that a good enough reason?
[DRY CHUCKLE]
You hope I sign
the papers beforehand?
That's what you have
to say to me?
For Christ sakes...
No, don't say sorry.
What does that even mean?
I'm the father
of your children,
and I just told you
that I am dying,
and all you care about
is some papers?
Fuck you!
You know, I can't believe
I ever loved you.
[BEEPS OFF]
FEMALE DEEJAY [OVER RADIO]:
All you early risers,
day creatures,
noon lizards,
people of the sun,
the few and far between
still holding onto the days,
still believing in the light,
this song is for you.
And be careful out there,
sunburn cutoff is 7:22 p.m.
and toxic level drop off
is 8:05.
Thank God for Lithium X.
[IAN RICHTER'S "FIVE STAR MAN"
PLAYING OVER RADIO]
? The walk of a leopard
In the midnight sun ?
? So they're under the radar
Like a B-21 ?
? Kill their instincts
Out of vampire bats ?
? Now we're pushin' out
The haters ?
? And the copycats ?
? Well, why's that? ?
? 'Cause I'm a five star man ?
? I'm a five star man ?
? I'm a five star man
I'm a five star man ?
? I'm a five star man
I'm a five star man ?
? Catch me if you can
'Cause I'm a five star man ?
? So come on ?
? It's all right ?
? You hate my way
But you love my flair, unh ?
Yeah, it works.
It's the best roam tracker
I've ever seen.
I don't know
how you guys did it.
Dental records, huh?
Clever.
Well, look, guys, not to knock
the wind out of your sails,
but VR technology
is yesterday's news.
Everything's going CHIP now.
Simple installation,
and bye bye, goggles.
Heh, I mean, sooner or later,
I'm gonna be out of a job.
[WHIRRS]
[BLINDS CLATTER]
[VACUUM WHIRRING]
Hello.
-[LIQUID SPILLS]
-Ah! Shit!
[GROANS]
Ah, shit!
ADAM: They say that
it operates directly,
right into the brain--
no goggles, no avatars,
no world building.
Heh. It's kind of like
a self-controlled dream,
I suppose.
Look, you hired me
to be your eyes and ears here,
hopefully not just because
I'm always available
to you in daytime.
Thank you, I'm not
fishing for compliments.
What I'm trying to tell you
is that what I see in here
is that CHIP is taking over.
We need to stop investing
in VR tech.
We need to focus
all our resources
and energy
into developments for CHIP.
Are you not listening
to what I'm saying?
I'm trying to save
your company!
VR tech is expensive
and hard to come by,
and all your buyers
are going under anyhow
because there's
so much free content
all over the realm.
Did you just ask me
about my meds?
[SCOFFS]
Is that a joke?
I'm here, working for you
in the real world,
sitting in an actual office,
ready to kick ass,
and where are you?
Sniffing pristine in bed
while getting a blow job
from your avatar girlfriend?
No, I won't calm down.
We're going under!
We need to get ahead
of the market
and we need to do it now!
[ELEVATOR BELL RINGS]
Can I help you?
I... have a day meeting
with Dr. Maple.
Yeah. Adam Bird.
I see it.
Thumbprint and iris.
Clear.
All right.
I'm gonna open the door
and let you in
to the screening area.
I want you to remove
the hazmat suit,
and take your place
on the mark.
[DOOR BUZZES OPEN]
[GRUNTS]
[PANTING]
Carrying
any weapons?
Pepper spray?
Taser?
Shocker?
Might want to consider it
if you're gonna be
roaming around daytime.
Arms up.
[LIGHTS WHINING]
Okay, you're clear.
She's expecting you.
[DOOR BUZZES OPEN]
So I see you were referred
to us by Dr. Rhys?
ADAM:
Yep.
She's a good doctor.
ADAM:
I'll take your word for it.
You don't think that?
I would if she cured me.
You seem quite frustrated.
I'm dying.
That's certainly unfortunate.
You want to tell me more?
I wake up
in the morning,
I go out there--
no one else does
any more, but I do--
I go out,
I see the decay.
I see the blazing sun.
I take the stairs
up to my office,
but the only other ones there
are the clones.
No, no offense.
None taken.
What do you have
against clones?
We're not robots, you know.
We're all biologically
reconstructed.
Just can't relate
emotionally to you people.
Are you afraid to die?
All normal people
are afraid to die.
You're afraid to die
because it comes with
something like a grade
for your achievements in life,
or lack thereof?
Yeah, something like that.
You surprised I understand you,
me being a clone and all?
No.
Your kind is
very perceptive.
But...?
Something's missing.
When I look
in your eyes,
I see reason, wisdom,
but no instinct
or compassion.
All predestined thoughts,
computer-like.
You want me
to surprise you.
[SCOFFS]
Isn't that what life
is all about?
[??]
[WHIRRS AND BEEPS]
[PEOPLE CHATTERING]
-MAN: Brenda?
-BRENDA: Hi!
-BRENDA: You're off early!
-MAN: Hey, look at you!
MAN:
Yeah, I had an early meeting.
[MAN SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY]
WOMAN:
Have a nice night.
Honey?
[SIGHS]
[RACQUET STRIKING TENNIS BALL,
SOUNDS OF FANS CHEERING]
Die, motherfucker!
-[MUTED GUNSHOT SOUNDS]
-Die, die, die, die!
Die, motherfucker!
Die, die, die, die!
[SMALL WAVES CRASHING]
[MOANING]
[MOANING INCREASES]
[LOUD MOANING]
[CLIMAXING]
[GASPS]
ADAM: Reena, I am so sorry
that you had to see that.
I... I used
to lock the door,
but nobody ever
comes in anymore.
I was sitting there
on a beach,
and then all of a sudden,
I just hear this huffing
and puffing and grunting!
And thank God the kids
are connected,
they should have to hear
their father wailing
like some wild
fucking animal!
I'm sorry, Reena.
I... I...
I don't know what else
to say.
At least I have
to reassure you
that our kids
do not see
or hear anything anymore.
[DRY CHUCKLE]
God, you just
hate us all, don't you?
How can you say that?
[SOBBING]
REENA: How long
has this thing been going on?
I don't know.
[SIGHS]
A while.
What is it?
It's like a chat room?
You meet another woman
while you stick your dick
in a rubber doll
and she puts a dildo
up her ass?
Oh, come on,
don't talk like that.
Why, you think
your boring wife
can't be as dirty
as some other whore
in the room?
It's not what you think.
Well then,
what is it?
[LASER BUZZING]
[??]
[CHIMES]
[MAN CHATTERING IN DISTANCE]
[CHIMES]
[WHIRRS, BEEPS]
Fuck.
Fuck me.
[DEVICE BEEPS ON]
Dial Reena.
Redial Reena.
Send Reena a graphic message:
I'm outside your door--
if you don't answer,
I'm going to break it down.
[SCOFFS]
What the hell
are you doing here?
I still have
a restraining order
against you.
I'll call the cops
and you're gonna be locked up.
-Is that what you want?
-No.
I want to talk to you.
I need to talk to you.
Please.
No.
Call me tomorrow.
No--
Please, Reena.
I need to talk to you,
the real you.
Can I-- Can I just
come inside for
a few minutes?
No. The kids are here.
Well, but that's great.
I'd love to see them too.
Well, they're connected
and I'd rather
they don't know you're here,
so don't make a scene.
[SIGHS]
I'll put something on
and come out.
[DOOR CLOSES]
All right, I'm here.
Speak.
So, um...
I'm dying.
Yeah. You told me.
Come on, Reena.
What do you want?
Look, we're, uh...
The house is
this one and mine.
We're in a lot
of debt, Reena.
We're still paying
mortgage on both.
Debt?
No, we've been
paying it off for years now.
I've been paying it.
And I have been raising
our kids
while you've been off
doing your daytime bullshit,
so don't treat me
like I'm worthless.
No, I'm just saying,
if I go,
then all these payments,
who's gonna make 'em?
Well, what about
your insurance?
Plus, we're on Premium 3,
so your clone
is just gonna come in
and take over your job.
Yeah, but see,
there's, uh,
there's this new thing
called CHIP.
Yeah, I know
what CHIP is.
Jenny has it.
Everyone who's worth a damn
has it.
All of our kids' friends
at school have it.
No, no, don't encourage
the kids with the shit.
Hey, you don't get
to decide anymore, okay.
I don't want to hear it.
My company
might go under.
The board, they're
these rich men
from Europe,
old money.
I tried to tell them
about CHIP, I tried,
but they don't want
to hear it, they're all
still stuck on VR.
What are you trying to say?
If we go under,
then my job
will cease to exist.
And equally bad,
they're won't be
any company
to cover
the life insurance.
Oh, okay, I get it.
All of this is just
you trying to renegotiate.
[SCOFFS]
That's why
you wouldn't sign the papers.
You're a sneaky bastard.
I bet you're not even
really dying, are you?
No, I'm not trying
to go back on our agreement.
I'm worried about you
and the kids, don't you see?
I don't have a plan B!
When I go,
I want to make sure
that you're all
taken care of.
Yeah, well,
you figure it out.
That's the one fucking thing
that you're good at.
I...
I'm trying, but...
[SIGHS]
It would help to have
a little more time.
Look, I was wondering
if maybe you would
make a request...
Forget it.
You know, I just
can't follow you sometimes.
What is so hard
to follow?
If I die,
my company will go under.
If I have
a little more time,
I think I can save it.
What is even wrong
with you anyhow?
They say my heart
is failing.
Like it's slowing down
or something.
I don't feel any pain.
Heck, I don't feel
anything at all,
but that's what they say.
[??]
That's pretty ironic.
Why?
Because when we met,
I thought for sure
you were gonna be somebody.
You know,
you had this passion.
It's like your heart
was beating twice as strong
as anyone I'd ever met.
Can you just
take your Lithium X
like everybody else
and figure out
a solution before you go?
Please.
That way, you won't be
going out like such a loser.
[??]
ADAM:
Yeah, I'm looking
for "Jerry Fischer"?
I know it's a retirement home,
I can see it.
No, I understand
you're all asleep,
I just thought
maybe some of them
might get up for the sunlight?
Good for the bones.
No, you wouldn't know,
not anymore.
Look, I need to talk to him.
Can I leave a message?
Donald Stein
has a chip on his shoulder
and I want to help him
remove it.
Okay? Donald Stein.
That's it.
What happened?
Hey, are you crying?
I don't think
I've ever seen you cry.
ADAM: It's--
It's not me you're seeing,
even though
I wish you could see
the real me somehow.
What do you look like
in the real world?
Do you want to tell me?
ADAM:
I look exactly the same.
-Exactly?
-Down to the last detail.
I love the way you look.
ADAM: Heh, you're programmed
to love the way I look.
No, you gave me
"AI freedom," remember?
I can love whatever I want,
whoever I want.
And I love you.
ADAM [SCOFFS]:
What do you love about me?
I love your eyes,
the way you look at me.
I don't think anyone else
can look at me this way.
ADAM:
How do I look at you?
Like how is
the sun and the moon
the mother and the whore
all at once?
ADAM:
But not the wife.
I know my place.
Why wish for something
you can't have?
ADAM:
Yeah, but why have anything?
Why do we need to possess
someone in order to love them?
We can love three kids,
but only one woman? One man?
I don't really know
what love is.
Your dictionary says
it's an "intense feeling
of deep affection."
If that's true then,
I think I might love you.
ADAM: But in order
to feel truly loved,
I need to know
that you chose me.
And in order to choose me,
you'd have to be real,
to have options.
To be more than
just my own fantasy.
That's a lot
of high talk, Adam.
How long have you been
skipping your medication?
ADAM: You know, somehow,
you're the only one
who can ask me that
without upsetting me.
'Cause I understand you
better than...
anyone out there.
We're both trapped in a world
that doesn't live up
to our expectations.
I want to know what it feels
like to breathe real air,
even if it means
I have to choke first!
-Calm down...
-[MUFFLED SPEECH]
...or it's going
to be very messy.
Relax, and I'm gonna let go.
Yes?
[GASPS]
[PANTING]
-Jesus fucking Christ.
-Not quite.
I haven't conquered
immortality yet.
Who the fuck are you?
How'd you get in here?
You think that little
fingerprint lock can stop me?
[CHUCKLES]
You don't even know
who I am, do you?
Donald Stein?
Fifteen years
Fifteen fucking years
I stay out of the limelight,
and then I get a call?
Adam Bird?
How in the fuck
did you find me?
And what the fuck
do you know about CHIP?
Y-y-you don't
need that.
I'm dying anyway.
That's why I looked
for you.
Honestly, you've no...
[SCOFFS]
Get dressed.
Let's take this show
to the living room, shall we?
[??]
When I said get dressed,
I was thinking more like PJs.
I wanted you
to take me seriously.
Nothing more serious
than this, my friend.
Well, you better tell me
a very, very good bedtime story,
because of my time at life,
sometimes my fingers just--
I think you invented it.
CHIP.
I don't know why you're hiding
in some retirement home
instead of about to be
the richest man alive, but...
You with state?
Ah, fuck,
I should've known.
I didn't think
a daytime person
fit the profile,
but hey...
[SCOFFS]
I'm not with state.
What, is this a test?
They watching me?
I kept my mouth shut!
[WHISPERS]
I kept quiet.
Honestly, I'm--
I'm not with state.
-Then what the fuck is this?
-I just-- I just--
-Huh?
-I just need your help.
-With what?
-I have to save my company.
-For what?
-For-- For my family.
See, and it all rests
on CHIP.
Who told you
I invented CHIP?
No one, I swear.
See, uh-- Uh--
I was at my doctor's,
and she reminded me
about "Premium 3."
Now, I didn't think
anything of it at the time,
but suddenly it dawned on me.
Like a sign from above.
You know,
it all clicked.
I knew I had to find you.
MALE STATE CLERK:
Okay, how we all doin' today?
Let me first just say,
congratulations to you both.
Thank you.
Your accomplishment
is very rare these days.
Accomplishment?
Three kids.
I mean, I'm not sure
that you're aware,
but we are experiencing
a massive decline
in population
over the last few decades.
You know, people
aren't getting married anymore.
They're barely having sex.
Fewer and fewer
want the responsibility
or the burden
or raising real children.
Yeah, well, we know.
My-my husband
works for Tech Broker,
so he's at the very forefront
of the technological
revolution.
I wouldn't expect you,
out of all people,
to father three children.
No, you see, for me,
it's the exact opposite.
Knowing the risks
has made me aim much bigger,
a proponent
for the physical world.
We love the sound
of that here at State.
You know, I think
all those people
out in the realm,
they forget that
they still need
their physical bodies
in order to experience
everything that they do there.
I, for one,
am a true believer
that nothing can replace
the true sense of touch.
The warmth.
Of another human body.
Okay, Mr....?
Ryan. Dennis Ryan.
With all due respect,
what's this about?
State is very aware
of the many challenges
that today's would be parents
are facing, and as such,
State is highly committed
to ensuring that
our plant survives
in good order
for the many future generations
to come.
So what, is there
some kind of allowance?
No. Heh. No.
Nothing like that, Mrs. Bird,
though our name may deceive you.
We put together a program
that will protect
the future well being
of the modern family.
It's called "Premium 3."
And it was designed
and spearheaded
by our very own
chief genetic engineer.
What, Donald Stein?
Him and no other...
You invented "Premium 3."
And even before,
you were right there.
I mean,
from the very beginning,
they called you
the father of human cloning.
I need a drink.
I'm happy to fix you one.
Do you smoke?
What does it look like?
You know what I mean.
How?
I've got a guy
who's got a guy.
You think we--?
How did you find me?
They pitched me
this roam tracker.
It hacks
every listed VR member
in the Dental Association.
Dental record, huh?
Clever.
Then it looks
for virtual X-rays
that match
more than one identity.
You may be
the smartest man alive,
but Jerry Fischer
and Donald Stein
have exactly
the same cavities.
Not to mention,
the same dentist.
[LAUGHING]
[ADAM LAUGHING]
Yeah...
Why did you fall off
the grid?
I mean, they said
you went mad,
but judging
by your paranoia,
I'd say you were pushed
out the door.
Why don't you file that
under none of
your damn business,
and you tell me what
all this has to do
with CHIP.
So how exactly does it work?
Well, you both fill out
an application.
Now, the application allows
for a little bit of leeway,
not too much,
but the idea being
to satisfy
the remaining mournful spouse,
there is a little leeway.
What do you mean, leeway?
You can tailor
your insurance spouse,
a bit, so that
maybe they come back
to you just perfect.
Perfect, how?
Well, I mean,
that's all very subjective,
but take Reena here,
for example.
And I'm not...
I'm saying you love her.
There's no doubt
how much you love her,
but maybe aren't there things
that you might think
to yourself,
"What if...?"
No.
That's great.
True love.
Very rare.
But if there
was anything, well,
now there's
a little bit of leeway.
[REENA CHUCKLES]
You keep on saying that.
I do. I do.
Now, if you choose
to proceed,
you'll both fill out
the application
in complete confidence--
no one ever finds out
what their other spouse
may or may not wish to change,
but then, again,
if the unfortunate event
does arrive,
you'll have something
to look forward to.
I-- I don't know
about this.
Mr. Bird, your clone
will still have
all of your DNA.
your genes,
your general look,
as well as
most of your memories,
your thoughts,
your predisposition.
We just left a little bit
of room for improvement.
How long is
the eligibility for?
Well, the policy will protect
your entire household
till the last child turns 18.
Then, one would hope
that your child
would become
less of a burden.
Um, what do you mean,
the entire household?
The kids too?
Yeah, until the age of 18.
Now, of course,
we wouldn't have you
fill out any paperwork
on them
unless, God forbid,
tragedy calls for it.
[COMPUTER DEVICE WHIRRS]
How does that concern me,
or CHIP for that matter?
Clones don't burn.
It's called
augmented pigmentation.
But "augmented
pigmentation"
was not on the sheet.
All the choices you gave us
in "Premium 3"
were about maximizing
our human potential,
things that we could train
to do better,
or else improve
through surgery--
but there's no training,
no surgery.
It can teach my brain
to increase pigmentation.
Even if you cloned it,
it wouldn't work.
Not unless you added
something in the process.
You mean, like a CHIP
that would trigger
heightened reaction
in your skin cells?
Or else pump endorphins
to your brain...
so you wouldn't have
to take a pill anymore?
Well, you said it.
[??]
It all started
as a military grade
limb replacement program.
Sure enough,
everything went drone,
and my department
became obsolete.
No more injured soldiers
to fix.
But then,
the big heat up happened,
and it created
this sudden desperate need
for augmented day workers,
so they just diverted
the whole program.
They gave us permission
to start resurrecting the dead.
And human cloning was born.
I gotta say,
it really does something
to a man--
creating life,
out of nothing.
You could just have a baby--
Yeah, but that leaves
everything to chance--
what we were doing eliminated
the factor of surprise.
We knew exactly
who we were getting--
perfect, trained,
and most importantly,
perfectly satisfied
state personnel,
workers
whose sole purpose
was to work
solidly, brilliantly,
under the blazing sun.
You mean like
biological robots?
Mm-mm.
I mean like
enhanced human beings.
-Enhanced?
-Uh-huh.
WOMAN [OVER P.A.]:
Having a third child?
Ask your doctor
about Premium 3.
Premium 3:
Your family's future...
REENA:
Well, that was a bit funny.
ADAM:
I can't believe we said yes.
Why?
You're the one
that's always so worried
about our survival.
Well, this isn't
about survival.
This is about, deep down,
you wanting me to be
slightly different.
Why do you always have
to look at things like that?
Look, I wouldn't want
to live without you, okay?
Is that such a bad thought?
So did you ask for me
to come back
exactly as I am?
Did you?
I asked you first.
-You're such a hypocrite.
-I'm just--
They said,
"just a little leeway"?
But then there are all these
pages and pages and categories.
How is that helpful?
I thought it was interesting.
It allowed me
to imagine you at your best.
Do I want to be better? Sure.
But the person I love,
I don't want them
to imagine me
any different.
I want them to love me
as I am.
And that is
completely relatable,
of course it is.
I've been there.
And what I needed
to cure that
was a smartly constructed
virtual lover.
You had a virtual lover too?
It's not what you think.
Well then,
what is it?
It's just an avatar.
It's not a real woman.
She doesn't exist.
REENA:
But she does exist, right?
In your mind,
she exists.
You think of her
when you have a hard-on.
Her, not me.
Well, what about you?
I mean,
when was the last time
-you even looked at me?
-[SCOFFS]
Have you looked
at me lately?
Yeah! And I see
a beautiful 37-year-old woman
who can easily be
10 years younger.
Then I think to myself,
for all this expensive
skin care regimen,
what's it for?!
I mean, you never
leave the house.
It's certainly
not for me.
Oh, my God, you think
that I have someone?
Is that
such a crazy idea?
You're pathetic.
I'm pathetic?
[SCOFFS]
I sacrifice
everything for you,
for us.
You didn't sacrifice shit!
You just gave up.
And then you used me
and the kids as an excuse.
What, you think
that I didn't have dreams,
that all I wanted was
just to be a stay-at-home mom?
Wait, enlighten me, Reena.
What was your big dream again?
Because I don't
really remember.
All you ever do
is dive on the realm.
I don't even know
if that counts as being home.
That's where
your kids are, asshole.
You know, they don't want
to play soccer or catch.
I meet them there
and you could've done the same
if you wanted
to spend time with them,
instead of wasting it
on this stupid
realm order whore.
I didn't mean
to hurt you, Reena.
[SCOFFS]
I just needed some comfort.
So...
Unhappy.
Have you
ever considered
that by going
against the current,
you're making
yourself unhappy?
Don't you think
there's a reason
they invented Lithium X?
You, you say
you hate the realm,
but you choose to sleep
through the night
when the few people
you can actually engage with
are awake?
Of course you're lonely.
You'll never be happy
until you accept the fact
that there is nothing
too exceptional about you.
You're just average.
-[SCOFFS]
-But that's okay,
'cause I-I like average.
Average is stable.
You can count on
average.
Is that what you asked for
if I die?
The most average version of me?
'Cause I have
a hard time believing that.
You're fucking impossible,
do you know that?
Look, if you want
to stay with me,
you're gonna have
to delete her.
I want to be on the realm
and I want
to see you delete her.
Either that, or you get
yourself a good lawyer.
I won't--
I won't do it.
I can't.
I get that you want
to make me feel small,
but I can't let you
kill our trust.
[SOBS]
Kill our trust?
After what you've done,
you want me to trust you?
That is a big laugh.
Look, if we can't trust
each other, then we're doomed.
It doesn't matter what
I do, we're doomed.
How can I trust you
when you won't even
delete a stupid avatar
-to show me that you care?
-It's not about that!
It's about the fact that
you need the validation
that you don't trust me
not to do it again!
-I don't trust you.
-Then what's the point?!
You cheated on me!
I used a sex doll.
Hardly cheating!
There was AI avatar
at the other end
of that sex doll.
I spend five times
the amount of hours
on the realm that you do--
I know how real an avatar
can feel.
You-you felt something
for this-this thing.
I mean, what do
I even call it?
-Maria.
-Oh, what?!
-That's her name.
-[SCOFFS]
Jesus, I don't want
to know her fucking name!
[SIGHS]
[WHISPERS]
Yeah, right.
REENA:
Well, we wanted to talk to you.
-We wanted to tell you--
-Together.
Because we wanted
to tell you
that even though
you thought
your dad was away
on a long business trip,
the truth is that he's actually
moved out of the house.
What?
When?
Since Mom cracked
his head open.
Kenny!
-It's gonna be fine, Nate.
-[NATE SOBBING QUIETLY]
Stop crying.
Tell him
it's gonna be fine, Dad.
Tell him
you're coming back home.
Your father can't
tell you that, Joshua,
because your father
has found a new woman.
[WHISPERING]
No, I didn't!
What are you doing?
Why are you telling them that?
Because it's true.
Have a new girlfriend?
No, no, I--
No, I don't.
Look, um...
Your mother and I,
we just--
Just what?
We don't get along anymore,
not like we used to.
You know, like, maybe
with your friends in school.
We don't go
to an actually school, Dad.
But-but you have--
You have friends, right?
You mean
realm buddies?
Yeah, realm buddies.
Would you guys every have
a falling out?
You know, like, uh,
the guy who's
your best buddy
on the realm,
but then, you just...
Oh, just what?
[SHARPLY]
You don't connect anymore.
Not like you used to.
Look, what your father
is trying to say
is that he would be happier
living alone
with a rubber doll than having
all of us around him.
What the fuck is wrong
with you?
Look at your kids, Adam.
You're about to lose
your kids.
Are they not
more important to you
than some stupid avatar?
Do you want me to stay?
I mean, you don't
love me anymore--
it's so obvious
that you name the worst.
Can you just
get out of here, please?
Come here, baby.
[??]
So then, came the lawyers?
ADAM [SNIFFS]:
Yeah.
She told State
I was skipping my medication,
and she used
the rubber doll incident
to get a restraining order
against me,
which limited my time
with the kids
to virtual visits only,
like I was some kind
of fucking pervert
who is a risk
to their own children.
That's heavy.
Here.
Have another.
[POURS LIQUID]
So now, you're diagnosed
with this heart condition,
and you feel
like the only way
you can die in peace
is to get your company ahead
with some CHIP technology
so you can save your job
for your Premium 3 replacement?
Pretty much.
This may sound strange
poor for me, but...
I think
we're all connected.
Not necessarily
in a religious sense.
But more in terms
of some...
collective fate.
Please consider
the random nature
of our creation.
What if my mom
had missed her train
the day she met
my father?
Would