The Heart Machine

Cody and Virginia's romance ignites through their online conversations, primarily facilitated by Skype. Their digital interactions overflow with laughter and sharing personal stories, allowing them to forge a deep emotional connection despite the physical distance that separates them.

Virginia reveals to Cody that she will be returning to the New York City area in six months. This news unsettles Cody, planting seeds of doubt about their relationship and stirring anxieties that their connection may not be as genuine as he hoped.

Amid their continued digital communication, Cody becomes increasingly aware of discrepancies in their relationship. The wailing sounds of emergency vehicles in the background during their calls heighten his sense of unease and paranoia regarding Virginia's true whereabouts.

While riding the subway in New York City, Cody believes he spots a woman who looks exactly like Virginia. This unsettling encounter sends him spiraling into a frenzy of doubt and paranoia, causing him to question the authenticity of their relationship.

Cody makes a shocking discovery about Virginia's true identity; she is indeed living in New York City. This revelation shakes him to the core as he grapples with feelings of betrayal and confusion over her online life, which contrasts sharply with what she portrayed.

At the bar, Cody meets a stranger who recognizes Virginia but cannot recall her name. The stranger warns Cody that Virginia might be manipulating him, further fueling Cody's obsession to uncover the truth behind her online persona.

Determined to learn more, Cody begins tracing Virginia's digital footprints across her social media profiles. His investigation leads him down a rabbit hole of connections, each thread pulling him deeper into the mystery surrounding her.

Cody meets a barista at a coffee shop who bears a striking resemblance to a former love of Virginia's. Grasping this unexpected chance, Cody cultivates a friendship with the barista to gain further insights about Virginia's past relationships.

Cody encounters a friend of Virginia’s at an event, escalating his pursuit of the truth. Their interaction quickly shifts from casual conversation into an intense interrogation, revealing Virginia's evasive nature as she becomes defensive about her history.

In a final bid to uncover the truth, Cody posts on Craigslist's missed connections, orchestrating a meeting with one of Virginia's acquaintances. His meticulous tracking of her digital trails leads him closer to Virginia but also intensifies his resolve to confront her.

Cody discovers an overlooked food wrapper from one of their Skype calls, a significant clue that crystallizes his suspicions. This discovery solidifies his belief in the fabricated nature of their relationship and propels him toward making a definitive decision.

Virginia finally comes clean to Cody about her past, detailing her failed relationships and the lies she constructed to protect herself. Her admission lays bare the depths of her vulnerability, revealing her desperate need to salvage the connection she misrepresented.

In a poignant moment, Cody delivers a heartfelt conclusion that their entire relationship was built on deception and misunderstanding. This painful revelation marks the end of their connection, leaving Virginia shattered as the reality of her actions sinks in.

As their relationship unravels, Cody turns away from Virginia, symbolizing the death of the once-promising future they envisioned together. This bittersweet departure echoes through the emotional landscape they traversed, leaving both with a sense of lost potential.