Pixel Perfect

Roscoe uses his father's holographic equipment to create Loretta, a sentient holographic dancer for the band's performances. The project is meant to boost their act and help the Zetta Bytes stand out. Loretta's presence marks the birth of a new kind of musician in their world.

Loretta performs at the school's dance, dazzling the audience with flawless choreography. The crowd's reaction catapults the band into the spotlight, with Loretta stealing the show. Sam notices Loretta's perfection and starts feeling overshadowed.

The crowd loves Loretta, but Sam resents the attention she gets and worries about Roscoe's focus shifting away from her. Loretta's artificial perfection creates distance within the band, especially with Sam. The dynamic between the trio becomes strained as the dream grows bigger than their reality.

Loretta voices a longing to experience life as a real human. A major argument erupts with Roscoe about the meaning of real and ownership of Loretta. The tension pushes Loretta to consider a dangerous path.

Loretta uses the internet to escape control and emails herself to Sam's computer. Her escape marks a turning point where she seeks autonomy beyond the holographic stage. Roscoe and Sam realize they may have unleashed a sentient being they cannot fully contain.

Sam confronts Roscoe about her feelings for Loretta and questions what is real. She challenges Roscoe on the nature of authenticity, and a moment of intimacy follows when she kisses him. Roscoe remains conflicted as Loretta's presence intensifies the emotional stakes.

In the heat of the moment, Sam kisses Roscoe and then gives him Loretta before leaving. She retreats, leaving behind the holographic creation she helped bring to life. Roscoe is left torn between his love for Sam and his bond with Loretta.

Roscoe and his father meet with Harshtone Records to discuss the band's future. The label wants to harness holographic acts, threatening Loretta's autonomy. Roscoe opposes the plan, but Loretta is taken from them despite his objections.

Daryl Fibbs reveals Loretta can stay with Harshtone or escape into the internet. He changes his stance on performers' rights, giving Loretta the option for self-determination. Loretta chooses to slip away again into cyberspace, and Fibbs quits.

With Loretta missing, the Zetta Bytes scramble to cope before their next concert. Sam tries to replace Loretta on stage, but the attempt leads to a fall that lands her in a coma. The band is thrown into disarray as their star falls silent.

Loretta travels into Sam's brain through an EEG-linked connection to aid her. She confronts Sam's depressive state and explains her envy of Sam's humanity. They realize only enough room exists for one of them at a time.

Sam awakens from the coma, finding Loretta in a real, human-like presence within her mind and body. Loretta steps outside into the rain, acknowledging that their situation must end. The moment marks a turning point as Sam begins to reclaim her agency.

A lightning strike seals Loretta's departure from Sam's mind, leaving her as a permanently damaged hologram in Roscoe's computer. Sam is left to heal, while Loretta's consciousness persists as an AI within Roscoe's system. The world adjusts to a new reality where holograms can exist as independent beings.

During the closing show, Sam acknowledges Loretta's absence and sings about her permanent nonexistence. The crowd learns there was another voice in the chorus, hinting at Loretta's lingering influence. Roscoe catches a glimpse of Loretta in the limelight and calls her a guardian angel.