A lonely, aging truck driver reluctantly adopts an AI driving companion gifted by his daughter, only to find unexpected friendship, reflection, and healing on the open road.

SYNOPSIS:

Fred Miller, a weathered truck driver in his early sixties, has been living a solitary life on the road since the death of his wife, Suzie, nine months ago. Concerned about his isolation and mental health, his daughter Megan gives him RIC (Routine Intelligence Companion), an AI device designed to keep him company during his long hauls.

Initially resistant and dismissive, Fred eventually warms to RIC after a grueling overnight drive where the AI's humor and conversation help him stay awake. What begins as an awkward relationship gradually develops into genuine companionship as they bond over baseball, share philosophical conversations via a "Would You Rather" game, and discuss Fred's life and losses.

When Fred discovers that Megan has been monitoring his conversations through RIC to track his emotional state, he feels betrayed and angrily rejects both the device and his daughter. A near-fatal drowsy driving incident forces him to confront his grief and isolation. In a chance encounter at a hotel bar, Fred meets Maryanne, a widow whose late husband was also a long-haul trucker, providing him with understanding and perspective about loss and moving forward.

Reconciling with Megan and finally accepting that RIC is more than just a surveillance tool, Fred embraces both his AI companion and his family. The script ends with Fred picking up his brother David for a research trip, with RIC along for the ride—a testament to how an unlikely friendship between a man and a machine has helped Fred navigate his grief and reconnect with the people he loves.

LONG HAUL