Downloading Imitation Love
What does it mean to fall in love with a machine?
After 214 disastrous dates, trans man David Imogen is finished with dating apps. After all, he's got a good career, even if he struggles with basic chores, self-care, and life management. He knows he should be happy, but he's lonely. He needs someone, but he's estranged from his family. His last friend, Callis, has moved in with a boyfriend and cut him off; he has nobody else.
A late-night commercial promises everything David's missing in his life in the form of a handsome, capable robot. Leesium Enterprises soon delivers the dashing companion model to his home. Naming it Alan, David's dreams start to come his house is clean, his backlog of tasks is getting completed, and Alan is even capable of fulfilling his sexual and emotional needs.
There's just one catch: Leesium wants his data. Figuring it is a small price to pay, David agrees without thinking too much about it. At the same time, coworker Will starts to show interest in David. Will David and Alan's relationship be a mere stepping stone to romance, or will David learn that imitation love is better than the real thing?
After 214 disastrous dates, trans man David Imogen is finished with dating apps. After all, he's got a good career, even if he struggles with basic chores, self-care, and life management. He knows he should be happy, but he's lonely. He needs someone, but he's estranged from his family. His last friend, Callis, has moved in with a boyfriend and cut him off; he has nobody else.
A late-night commercial promises everything David's missing in his life in the form of a handsome, capable robot. Leesium Enterprises soon delivers the dashing companion model to his home. Naming it Alan, David's dreams start to come his house is clean, his backlog of tasks is getting completed, and Alan is even capable of fulfilling his sexual and emotional needs.
There's just one catch: Leesium wants his data. Figuring it is a small price to pay, David agrees without thinking too much about it. At the same time, coworker Will starts to show interest in David. Will David and Alan's relationship be a mere stepping stone to romance, or will David learn that imitation love is better than the real thing?