LX 2048 (2020) - full transcript

[??]

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