In the future genetic profiling is cheaper, widely accessible, and trending. People look to their genes for guidance in exercise regimens, employment, romance, and even what hobbies to pursue. Siblings Charlie and Emma have their genetic profiles done on a coupon. Charlie, a gay man in a committed relationship, is told that according to his genes he's straight. Emma's hopes of learning cooking and hosting dinner parties for all the friends she's going to make are dashed and she's told she should learn a musical instrument. Charlie struggles to decide if his genes really are his destiny or if he should go against the science everyone around him wants to rely on and follow his own heart. He tries to hide what he found out from his husband Matt who wants them to get a couple profile done. Emma buys a cello and tries to deal with the disappointment that her genes didn't reveal how she can make her life into one where she's happy. Charlie delves into gene research and tries having sex with a woman, Bette from the gene center. He realizes that was a mistake and he doesn't care what his genes say anymore. Then Matt tells him that he's ordered a couple's profile behind Charlie's back. Charlie tries to figure out how to keep the results from Matt. Bette calls Charlie so that they can “try again.” Matt confides in Emma that he wonders if his genes will tell him he should have a different job and that Charlie seems distant lately. When Charlie and Matt go to hear their results Bette tells Charlie she changed his before giving them their profile. Bette tells Charlie and Matt she's leaving her job and she wants to decide for herself how to live.
Hidden Potential, or The Straight Gene was written with the help of a Grants for Artists Projects (GAP) grant from Artist Trust.