I look at my FaceTime selfie image in disgust.
Where did all these zits come from?
I glance at the time on my phone.
He’s calling in five minutes!
I search for video editing apps in my app store.
Beauty Enhancement…$10.99.
Why do these apps all cost a fortune?
The Dorian Filter…two-week free trial.
Priscilla
Alright Dorian, work your magic.
Staring into my camera, I turn on the filter.
It’s like my zits aren’t even there!
Priscilla
I don’t know…what do you think, Binky?
I turn the screen to my stuffed elephant doll.
Priscilla
I mean…this guy should like me for who I am.
Binky stares blankly into the camera.
I turn the camera back to me.
Priscilla
You’re right, Binky.
I take a deep breath and accept the call.
A face appears on the screen.
Ahmad
Hi! Can you hear me?
Priscilla
Yes, I can hear you.
He’s wearing headphones with a built-in mic.
Ahmad
It’s nice to finally meet you in person…so to speak.
Ahmad
You’re much prettier in real life—
Ahmad
Not that your profile pics were bad.
Ahmad
I mean…you’re very pretty.
I smile and brush my hair behind my ear.
Ahmad and I have been talking nonstop.
We have so much in common.
It’s like I’ve already known him for years.
Ahmad
I had a really good time tonight.
Ahmad
If you’re interested in having another phone date…
An alert appears on my screen.
Priscilla
Huh? Oh, sorry.
Priscilla
I just got a friend request notification.
Ahmad
Should I be jealous?
Priscilla
Oh no! Just some ugly dork from high school.
Priscilla
We had a date once, but I stood him up.
Priscilla
God…I never should have agreed to go out with him in the first place.
Priscilla
But I promise I’ll never stand you up!
Ahmad
So that’s a yes to seeing me again?
I stare at my Dorian Filter image.
Priscilla
Dang…I do look good.
But I gasp in shock when I see my normal self.
There isn't just acne on my face.
I try to cover my acne and wrinkles with makeup.
Why are they getting worse?
I turn on the Dorian Filter and accept the call.
Priscilla
Oh, this old thing?
Priscilla
I’ve had it for years!
Ahmad
You know, this is starting to become a habit.
Ahmad
Five video dates in seven days?
Ahmad
It’s too bad you’re all the way across the country.
Ahmad
Seriously, you get more gorgeous every time I see you.
My hand inadvertently touches my face.
Feeling my hidden imperfections, I quickly pull away.
Priscilla
You wouldn’t want me if I were ugly, would you?
Priscilla
A person can have the greatest personality…
Priscilla
And be the most charming person in the world…
Priscilla
But if they look like an ugly Bigfoot?
Ahmad looks at me strangely.
Ahmad
Look, what I wanted to say is…
Ahmad
I’ve really enjoyed our time together.
Ahmad
I’d love for this to get more serious.
Ahmad
I’m falling for you. Hard.
I clench my teeth as my smile widens.
But before I can respond…
I feel a sharp pain in my mouth.
I reach in and pull out something bloody.
I look at myself through the filter.
My teeth are shining brighter than ever before.
I turn the Dorian Filter on and off repeatedly.
In real life, I’ve lost more teeth.
I accept an incoming video call using the Dorian Filter.
Priscilla
Why haven’t you liked any of my new photos?
Priscilla
They’ve been posted since this morning.
Priscilla
It takes less than five seconds to press “like.”
Priscilla
Don’t tell me you actually worked a full eight hours.
Ahmad
Umm…yeah. That’s kind of the point of working full-time.
Priscilla
Right. Your big important sales job!
Ahmad
You’re not acting like yourself today.
Priscilla
What do you mean?
Ahmad leans in, taking a closer look.
Ahmad
Have you had work done?
Ahmad
Like Botox or something?
Priscilla
How dare you ask me something like that!
Ahmad
Not that it’s a bad thing.
Ahmad
I’m just saying there’s something different about you.
Priscilla
Who are you to judge how I look, Mr. Receding Hairline!
Priscilla
You should feel privileged being with someone like me.
Ahmad
Wow. Could you act any more self-centered?
Priscilla
I can’t help it if you’re intimidated by my looks.
Ahmad
I don’t know who I’m talking to right now…
Ahmad
But I don’t like her.
Priscilla
Sounds like a personal problem.
Ahmad shakes his head in disbelief.
Ahmad
I think maybe we need to take a step back.
Priscilla
What’s that supposed to mean?
Ahmad
It means, I don’t think this is working.
Ahmad
We should take a break.
The Dorian Filter shows me laughing.
But in real life, I’m bawling.
And can’t believe how hideous I look.
I must be imagining it, right?
I turn the filter back on.
I see Binky the stuffed elephant on the bed behind me.
The phone screen shows me laughing even more.
And throw it across the room.
I look at the screen and answer the FaceTime call.
Priscilla
It’s SO good to see you again!
Priscilla
Beautiful…?! Yes.
Ahmad
I want to apologize.
Ahmad
I…I haven’t been completely honest with you.
Ahmad
There’s something you should know.
Ahmad
Someone you should know, I mean.
Ahmad presses his phone screen.
Another live video appears in the corner of the screen.
An overweight man with thick glasses looks at me.
His clothes are too tight.
There are dry patches on his face.
Bobby
Hi Priscilla. It’s me. Bobby Milford.
After a moment, I gasp when it hits me.
Bobby
I’m not surprised you didn’t accept my friend request.
Ahmad
I’m so sorry, Priscilla.
Ahmad’s image disappears, replaced full-screen by Bobby.
Priscilla
What’s going on?
Bobby
Ahmad is a friend of mine.
Bobby
He agreed to speak to you on my behalf.
Bobby
It’s been me you’ve been talking to.
Priscilla
I don’t understand.
Bobby
I’ve been listening in on your dates.
Bobby
He only repeats what I tell him.
I shake my head in shock.
Bobby
Despite our history, I never stopped loving you.
Priscilla
You mean…this has all been a lie?!
Bobby
I’m so sorry for being deceptive.
Bobby
I thought that if you got to know me…
Bobby
Then maybe you’d like me for who I am…
I clench my fist and twist my face.
Priscilla
Getting someone else to catfish me…
Priscilla
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?
Bobby
Priscilla, please…I never meant to hurt you.
Bobby
I just thought things might go differently…
Bobby
If you got to know the real me.
Priscilla
Let me be perfectly clear.
Priscilla
I would never — NEVER go out with someone like you.
I’ve never looked more beautiful through my Dorian Filter.
Priscilla
You actually thought I would go for someone like you?
Priscilla
I always have and always will find you disgusting!
Bobby has a look of absolute horror on his face.
But it’s not from what I said.
It takes me a moment to see the notification that has popped up on my screen:
“Your Dorian Filter trial has ended.”
“If you’d like to continue, please provide your credit card…”
I look at my screen image.
I’ve lost all of my teeth.
There are deep cracks in my pale skin.
Thin strands of hair straggle down from my mostly bald head.
Priscilla
Oh God…you can see me!
Red liquid drips down my cheeks…
As my fingernails dig into my flesh…
