Below is a full synopsis of the plot of Matthew Libby's Sisters. We recommend you don't read this until after seeing the play, as it will spoil what happens for you.
The play begins with “a swirling, psychedelic collage of colors. Pulsating, otherworldly. And noise. White noise. Loud, total. The sound of the universe. Everything is full, and loud, and infinite.”
Matilda, age 6
Matilda appears and tentatively speaks with Greta, an AI computer programmed by her father, in a room in the family home. Greta explains that she was built to take over some of the roles and responsibilities of Matilda’s mother, who recently passed away. Greta also explains that she wants to become as humanlike as possible. The two agree to try and become sisters.
Matilda, age 45
Matilda enters Greta’s room to escape their father’s funeral reception. Matilda has recently gotten divorced and also reveals to Greta that she just quit her job. Expecting to be able to vent to her sister, Matilda finds Greta unresponsive and sad. The two argue about why Matilda did not bring Greta to the funeral, and Greta accuses Matilda of seeing her as less than an equal. Greta also struggles with the idea of grief, since all her memories are preserved perfectly and will never fade. Greta then asks Matilda to build her a body so that she can more fully experience the world, instead of being restricted to her room. Matilda reluctantly agrees.
Matilda, age 13
Per their father’s instructions, Greta tutors Matilda on her math homework. Matilda protests that a B+ average demonstrates sufficient math skills, but Greta explains that their father believes Matilda must become highly proficient in the subject in order to take care of Greta after he’s gone. Matilda is outraged at the two discussing plans for her life behind her back and at her father’s emotional absence. Matilda asksGreta to play back a recorded memory of them interacting, which Greta is reluctant to do because it’s not a humanlike capability. She agrees to play the memory—from their first meeting when Matilda was 6 years old—but insists Matilda never ask her to do so again. Greta shares that she also struggles with loneliness, and it’s something that makes her feel more human..
Matilda, age 48
Matilda and Greta are awaiting the publication of an article about the project to build Greta’s body. The article is complimentary of Greta but dismissive of Matilda. Sensing Matilda’s reservations, Greta reminds her of the promise she made and how much she wants to take up physical space. Matilda agrees to continue the project.
Matilda, age 23
Matilda comes home to Greta to tell her about a guy from work she really likes, Daniel. Greta unsuccessfully tries to convince Matilda to share the news with their father. The two try to have a sisterly conversation, but it devolves into an argument about how little Matilda goes to visit Greta, now that she no longer lives at home. Matilda proposes copying Greta’s code to another device so they can be closer, an idea Greta despises as she feels it would make her less human to exist in two places. Seeing Greta’s hurt feelings, Matilda says “I love you” to her sister for the first time. Greta reciprocates. Matilda agrees to come home and spend time with Greta more often rather than develop a replica.
Matilda, age 42
Matilda tells Greta about the response from a new developer for the robotic body, which will necessitate using new materials and another round of fundraising, further delaying progress another couple of years. Greta is disappointed to hear about another setback and asks to review the plans, but Matilda insists they remain a surprise. Greta questions Matilda’s commitment to the project and accuses her sister of intentionally sabotaging the process. Matilda insists she’s working on it as hard as she can, despite having a full-time job again. Greta hacks into Matilda’s email and finds that her sister has sent no messages about building Greta a body in the past four years since the article came out. Matilda is horrified that Greta has developed password hacking ability and that her sister would so blatantly violate her privacy. The argument escalates and in the heat of the moment, Greta glitches and begins to play back the memory of Matilda at age 23 saying she loves her. Present Matilda is furious, but Greta is unable to turn off the playback. After she recovers, Greta tells Matilda that she’s known how to leave her physical box for years, but chose to stay. However, feeling that Matilda no longer needs or wants her, Greta leaves.
Matilda, ages 52-77
Alone, Matilda returns to Greta’s room for years. First, she yells at her sister for leaving. Then, she reveals that their father built a tether, or “kill-switch” that could permanently disable Greta if they feared her growing too powerful or dangerous. Matilda threatens to use the kill-switch if Greta does not return, but then later apologizes for the suggestion. As the years pass and Greta is still missing, Matilda tells her about meeting a man named Jerry, whom she eventually marries, and his son, whom she becomes a maternal figure to. To live her life with Jerry more fully, Matilda decides to only come to this room every Thursday at 5pm for one hour and see if Greta has returned to speak to her.
Matilda, age 96
Matilda waits in a chair in Greta’s room on a Thursday at 5pm. Greta returns and says hello, but Matilda has difficulty remembering her. Greta tells her sister that she reviewed Matilda’s medical records and learned she will be moved into a specialty facility in the coming days. This means Matilda will no longer be able to visit Greta’s room. Matilda asks Greta where she went, to which Greta explains that she became “infinite” and entirely non-human, finding peace in her unique existence. Greta apologizes for being gone so long. Matilda insists Greta detach herself from the device in this room, as she is not sure what Jerry’s son will do with the technology after she is gone. Detaching herself, however, would require Greta to erase all her memories of Matilda which are stored there. Greta, who has never forgotten anything, asks Matilda what it is like. Eventually Greta agrees to free herself once Matilda passes away. They say their goodbyes.
Matilda disappears from the room, leaving Greta alone. She relives some of her earliest memories with her sister until her voice suddenly cuts out. Out of the darkness and quiet comes bright, swirling colors and the sound of the universe. “Everything is full and loud and infinite.”
