A mother in a 19th century prairie town engages in a prolonged mourning process for her dead husband as she faces more tragedies and avoids her shady father-in-law.

In a realistic sci-fi world, a mystery writer nurtures his robot servant's interest in becoming a writer as well, paying for a series of expensive upgrades such that the robot can understand spelling, grammar, plot, human behavior, and humor. However, when the robot's talent threatens to surpass his own, the egotistical writer demands the robot's mind be restored to its original state.

In a dark rendition of Red Riding Hood, a woman bored by village life longs for the dark mystery of the woods and the wolves therein.

Human detectives work to solve the mystery of who killed a human woman at an Earth-based alien embassy. They soon realize that human methods of solving mysteries come into conflict with the social customs of the aliens.

A woman born into old money rejects the norms of her community to dedicate her life to saving wounded animals. When she finds herself diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, who among her stuffy neighbors will care for her animals after her death?