Carrie Pilby

A 19-year-old child prodigy who graduated from Harvard at 18. She is incredibly intelligent and analytical, yet deeply unhappy and socially awkward. She relies on logic to navigate life, but her emotional world remains underdeveloped, driving her loneliness and her eventual growth as she opens up to others.

Carrie's therapist who has known her through her father. He frames happiness as a practice rather than a destination and assigns a to-do list to pull her out of isolation. He understands her quirks and guides her toward meaningful social connections.

An absent, widowed parent who supports Carrie from a distance. He remains a figure of care and authority, shaping her sense of family and responsibility while not being physically present in her daily life.

Carrie’s awkward blind date with an engaged man who is not available, highlighting her challenges with dating norms and social expectations. The experience prompts reflection on what she wants in a partner and how she navigates romance.

An extroverted but kind colleague who befriends Carrie and offers a window into everyday social interactions. This friendship demonstrates how simple empathy can anchor someone who is highly analytical.

The neighbor who plays the didgeridoo and becomes part of Carrie’s city exploration. Their walks and conversations help Carrie experience human connection in a natural, unforced way.

Carrie’s abusive relationship with an English professor during her adolescence, illustrated through flashbacks. This trauma informs her cautious approach to intimacy and her initial reliance on intellect over emotion.