This week, we learn an eerily timely lesson in the dangers of what happens when we outsource empathy by having someone—or something—handle our communications for us. 

When Jess and Liz open an anonymous letter-writing service, they think it will be an easy way to make a quick buck. But they forget one important thing: as the eponymous Maria of the song “Take a Letter, Maria” knows all too well: proxies are never neutral—they are ALWAYS ALREADY invested in the interactions they purport to simply mediate!

The letters lead to an escalating series of misunderstandings, miscommunications, and machinations, culminating in a scene of staggering dramatic irony that leaves Liz—and us—wondering: was the juice (a new warm-up jacket) worth the squeeze? Join us for “Small Language Models” (Sweet Valley High 88, Love Letters for Sale).