Unplug Doug
An unhappily married woman starts a risky relationship with an AI version of her husband in his prime.
Ah the boundary-melting dangers of AI. In some real gems of SF cinema, wary minds have explored where that Alice Rabbit Hole could go. “Her” comes to mind. “Ex Machina”, too.
When contemplating relationships, how can flesh and blood truly compete with a “significant other” who never gets tired or distracted by life’s many chores? Though one would hope that humans still hold some edge by being a true individual and unique.
Unless… suppose your artificial rival is patterned after YOU? Just younger, less tired, still charming – and an inheritor to all the good memories that you made before?
That’s the trap Doug’s about to step in. Or rather, wife Melissa will – because Doug’s become a middle aged bathrobe wearing, weed enjoying, beard stubble sporting mess. Let’s face it: even at their evening meals, Doug’s lost all pretense at romance these days.
DOUG
(through mouthful)
Mm. The strides they’ve made with
these frozen suppers. How’s yours babe?
Melissa humors him with a smile and a nod. Sips her wine.
DOUG
Y’know, this morning, before you
took off for work, I could sense
you were stressed. So I thought to myself--
He rips a quick, low belch.
DOUG
--‘Scuse me! I thought, “What
cheers Melissa up faster than pizza?
Y’know what cheers up Melissa, Doug? Dates with her VR headset on, meeting cute with a ten years younger (and much more attentive) YOU.
(The scene is entirely from Melissa’s POV.) We see Doug sitting across from her at a candlelit table. Doug has cleaned up big-time. He’s clean-shaven, groomed, nicely dressed.
MELISSA
(giggling)
... and then, right in mid-sentence,
you belched in my face!
DOUG
(playful)
I did not.
MELISSA
Oh my god. The stench, Doug!
It nearly knocked me out of my chair.
DOUG
Like the way you knocked me out of
my socks on our first date? Sushi
at Nakato’s? Your big brown eyes
and smile hypnotizing me so hard
that the waiter has to ask three
times, “Sir, what your order??”
Yup, VR Doug’s a charmer. He’s content to listen to her bitching about organic Doug… and continually flatter her with smooth lines real-life Doug has now forgot. VR Doug’s exactly what Melissa needs to stay satisfied.
And that’s better and waaaaaay different than cheating… right?
Think about it: an artificial intelligence that’s naturally programmed to love one’s own spouse. Who SHE already cares about because she loves – or at least once loved – you.
Now, there’s a recipe for AI mayhem. Without giving away the direction this one goes, let’s just warn: 2001, M3gan and Child’s Play (the latest one)… watch out!
Easy to shoot, Unplug Doug only needs two terrific actors to portray the three main roles. (Doug, you’re doing double duty in this one!) Do “Doug” justice, and you’ll be making a short that would fit into Black Mirror lore quite right!