Sleep Dealer

In a dystopian future where humanity is enmeshed in a tangled web of militarized borders, virtual labor, and interconnected global networks, three individuals set off on treacherous journeys to bridge the technological chasms that threaten their survival.

Memo Cruz, a dedicated factory worker with a penchant for electronics and hacking, finds himself ensnared in a grim reality where humans live as mere automatons, their bodies pierced by intricate cables that connect them to a vast digital network. Dubbed the “sleep dealers,” these individuals risk collapse from exhaustion if they remain disconnected for too long. Amidst this bleak existence, Memo’s thoughts drift back to his idyllic hometown of Santa Ana Del Rio, Oaxaca, a stark contrast to his current plight.

The story unfolds through a series of flashbacks, revealing Memo’s memories of lush fields and a rich cultural heritage. His father urges him to abandon his love for technology and partake in the family’s struggling agricultural business, yet Memo’s ambitions to innovate and rebel hold his heart captive. The drought-ridden homestead, once flourishing, has become a desolate landscape due to the Del Rio Water corporation’s dam, which drains the region of its precious water.

In secret, Memo develops an electronic receiver, its signal stretching out to distant cities, creating an obsessive desire to hack into global communication systems. Tension builds as his covert actions attract the scrutiny of Del Rio Water’s security forces. A remote-controlled military drone, piloted by Rudy Ramirez, unexpectedly tracks Memo’s frequency, leading to a violent confrontation that forces him to scramble for safety. The situation escalates when Memo and his brother witness a live TV report displaying the destruction of their home, leaving Memo’s prized possessions vulnerable to devastation.

In a desperate attempt to rescue their father, they return home, only to find him grappling for life amidst chaos. Tragically, their intervention comes too late; the drone pilot, operating with ruthless precision, ends their father’s life with a missile strike. Overwhelmed by grief, Memo flees to Tijuana, seeking refuge and new beginnings.

Serendipitously, Memo finds himself on a bus ride alongside Luz Martínez, an encounter that ignites a chain of impactful events. Intrigued by the digital nodes on Luz’s wrist, he asks about acquiring similar tech for free. Luz, who makes ends meet by uploading memories to TruNode, offers a lifeline, revealing she can connect him with a coyotek who can help facilitate his digital enhancement, albeit at the risk of traversing a dubious alley. Luz, weighed down by her own financial troubles, is also caught in a struggle to avoid defaulting on her loans.

Memo’s initial quest for a coyotek proves fruitless, leaving him broke and seeking refuge in an abandoned shack where he meets off-grid node workers. Meanwhile, Luz takes notice of the demand for her memories, particularly those involving Memo. As she sells her recollection of their first meeting, her financial struggles prompt her to seek Memo out again, offering to assist him in securing a job where he can access the necessary equipment.

In her quest for success at TruNode, Luz is pressured to infuse greater emotional depth into her memory uploads, forcing her to confront her own feelings and share vulnerable aspects of her life. The true implications of her memories come to light when it is revealed that the person requesting them is Ramirez, working on behalf of Del Rio Water and under the direction of the enigmatic Del Rio himself. Amidst this realization, Memo and Luz grow closer, sharing a moment of authentic connection that transcends their digital world.

The bond they are building faces a harsh test when Memo discovers Luz has been profiting from memories of him, plunging him into feelings of betrayal and exploitation. His exhaustion deepens as he grapples with Luz’s motives, compelling him to create distance between them. In a twist of fate, Ramirez appears on the opposite side of the US-Mexican border, reaching out to Memo with a message that challenges his understanding of their relationship. As tensions mount, Memo stands at a crossroads: should he believe Ramirez, or escape the looming threat?

When Memo reunites with Luz, he seeks her help in establishing a crucial link between Ramirez and the digital network, a step essential for unraveling the mystery surrounding the rogue water engineer. With calculated intent, Memo infiltrates the Del Rio Water security systems, employing his newfound access to commandeer one of the firm’s drones. However, this move incites a chain reaction, triggering other drones’ deployment to intercept Ramirez, culminating in an exhilarating aerial dogfight that tests their piloting skills and strategy.

In the heat of the action, Ramirez’s defiance against orders pushes him to make a pivotal choice. With an explosive force, he creates a breach in the dam, igniting a personal significance for him tied to Memo’s family history. News of ancestral waters returning to the surface ignites celebrations among communities that have long endured scarcity.

As the dust settles, Ramirez is forced to retreat into Mexico, unable to return to the United States. In contrast, Memo steels himself to start anew in Tijuana, determined to build a life beyond the chaos and trauma that his journey has brought him.

Last Updated: November 22, 2024 at 12:00