⁣'Life without love, is no life at all.'
-Leonardo da Vinci

SCENE OPENS on Anthony (Michael Vegas) walking down a desolate street, returning home from a shopping trip. He is wearing a mask and gloves and carrying a couple of paper bags as he enters his home. Anthony approaches a homemade disinfecting station by his doorway. He opens the bags and begins efficiently disinfecting the products and bags. He then enters his main living area. He does it all without concern, as if it's a normal routine.

Later that day, Anthony sits at his computer having a video conversation with his mom. Anthony tells her that he's missed her but time got away from him. All the days feel the same and he's been having trouble remembering dates. She says she's missed him, too, and that she is worried about him being all alone for so long. She wishes he'd use a dating service to find a nice girl to be with in lockdown. She can suggest one. He puts on a brave smile, lying and assuring her that he's fine. But his hands are tightly clenched against his knees.

After the call, Anthony goes about his everyday routine. He cooks alone, exercises alone, does everything alone. Finally, he can't take it anymore and signs up for a dating service that promises to find his perfect AI match.

A female AI, Aurora (Ana Foxxx) greets him. She is instantly warm and friendly, asking him personal questions about what he's looking for in a partner. He gives some answers, but when Aurora asks questions about his sexual preferences, he's taken aback. He asks Aurora if they could just get to know each other a bit first.

As they get to know each other, Anthony becomes more and more comfortable with Aurora's company. When he's cooking, he wonders what he can use as a substitution and Aurora helpfully answers. When he exercises, she encourages him to keep going when he gets tired. When he goes to bed, Aurora wishes him goodnight.

Anthony is finally coming out of his shell as he falls for Aurora...but is his newfound happiness too good to be true?

⁣

As Eric (Chad White) steps out of a car, he marvels at the warmth of the sun on his face for what feels like the first time in forever. Everything about the day makes him feel so alive as he stands before Tanya's (Casey Calvert) house. He's impressed by her home and how well she's done for herself... because of his sacrifice.
Eric is overjoyed when his stepsister greets him, although he doesn't seem to notice that she's not as excited as he is. As they catch up, it becomes more and more apparent that Tanya doesn't want him around, which devastates Eric. How could he receive anything less than a hero's welcome after everything he did for her? Tanya insists that he makes her uncomfortable... that jail changed him.
Of course, it changed him—does she think being incarcerated is a walk in the park? But the more they argue, the more he feels Tanya slipping away from him. For so many years, all he thought about was returning home to Tanya... and enjoying the touch of the woman he loves most. Now that's about to be taken away from him, too?
Afraid of losing Tanya, Eric starts guilting her for just one night with her. Surely, after everything, that's the least she can do? If he hadn't stepped up, she'd have been the one in jail, not him. She owes him that much, at least!
Although Tanya eyes him with contempt, it seems as though the guilt of letting an innocent man take the fall finally works in Eric's favor. As she tentatively invites Eric to start undressing her, Eric is thrilled...
But will one night really be enough?

⁣Rachel has big ambitions, but college has become a source of stress and anxiety. Despite being a good student, she's struggling academically and is on the verge of failing. With academic probation hanging over her, the prospect of being expelled looms large. When she receives a failing grade on her latest assignment, she's devastated, convinced that her dreams are slipping away. However, she notices that her professor has written his phone number on the back of her paper, offering private tutoring.


What might normally be seen as a generous offer fills Rachel with dread. Professor Sloan has always seemed overly interested in her, and his lingering stares during class have never gone unnoticed. His behavior has always made her uncomfortable, but now she realizes that she might be able to use his attraction to her advantage. Yet, taking this route would mean compromising her values in a way she's never imagined.


How far is Rachel willing to go to ensure she doesn't lose her chance at graduating college?

⁣'If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself.'
-George Orwell

SCENE OPENS on Laura (Scarlit Scandal), who lies idly on the couch, staring at her laptop on the coffee table. She's wearing a yoga outfit, but she has no motivation to work out as she watches a yoga video from social media influencer Trudy (Serene Siren). The first 6 months of quarantine went smoothly. But nothing has been easy since her husband Michael was exposed. Laura's phone buzzes and she glances down. 'Can you please help me?' Michael texts. She stares at the message, feeling deflated.

In the bathroom, Laura stares at herself in the mirror as she removes her workout clothes, putting on a full battery of protective gear. Turning to face the door, she takes a deep breath before heading to help her husband.

A few moments later, Laura darts out of Michael's room with a tray. She leans against the door and looks down in disgust at the half-eaten food and used utensils. She takes another deep breath, as if she had been holding it.

In the kitchen, Laura washes and dries the plates and carefully removes her protective gear. From outside, the sound of a delivery truck approaches. Hearing this, Laura shuts off the water and turns to face the door. A smile crosses her face.

Laura rushes to the front window, just in time to see the no-contact delivery man (Jake Adams) walk up with her packages. Even though he's always masked, she's found herself watching him all quarantine. As he approaches, he catches sight of her through the window. Both of them stop for a moment and stare at each other. He sets her packages down and raises his hand to say hi. He pulls his mask down to smile at her.

The next day, Laura waits by the window in a robe. She has decided to get a little more flirtatious with the delivery man because she can't stop thinking about the way he smiled at her. It feels like forever since someone actually did that. Her phone buzzes. 'Can you bring me some water?' Michael texts. She throws the phone down in frustration. It buzzes again. She glances out the window and sees the delivery man approaching. He sets the packages down and quickly turns around, as Laura stares in disappointment.

She bends over to pick up her phone and get back to reality, when she suddenly hears him coming back. He is carrying a flower in his hand and carefully lays it down on the top package. Laura is so overwhelmed by the man's chivalrous return, that she instinctively opens the door and steps outside. Her robe falls open, exposing her lingerie. The man quickly backs up and stares at her in awe. 'You're very beautiful,' he says. 'So are you,' she replies, before realizing that she isn't wearing any protective gear. She clasps her hand over her mouth and nose in panic. 'Do you live here alone? I've noticed all the packages are marked for you,' he asks. Not knowing what to do, she nods. 'Whenever this lockdown ends, I'd love to take you out sometime,' he continues, taking a cautious step forward. '...If that would be ok?' Laura fidgets nervously before nodding. He takes another step and whispers, 'But, you know, they test essential workers every 24 hours in order to go outside, right?' She shakes her head, still petrified of removing her hand. He slips down his mask to reveal a big flirtatious smile. 'So, I know I'm negative. And, if you've been isolating alone this whole time, then technically you should be negative too.' He takes his gloved hand and slowly removes hers from her face.

They stare at each other, unmasked, breathing in the other's air. 'So, maybe we could go on a date even sooner?' he says coyly. She stares at him for a moment, a rush of endorphins surging through her body, before kissing him. It's the greatest feeling she's ever felt. She feels excited for the first time in months! 'May I come inside?' he asks. She swallows hard, remembering Michael. 'Just wait one minute,' she stammers and slams the door.

Laura's done everything she can to stay safe, but can anyone ever TRULY be safe?