TOGETHER WE STAND

Title: Together We Stand

Genre: Sci-Fi / Drama / Comedy

Logline: A peculiar, eclectic bunch of strangers who have little in common other than a fear for the future of humanity band together to reunite individuals in a world on the verge of collapse in ways that are both heartwarming and hilarious.

FADE IN:

INT. BUSY CITY STREET - DAY

A bustling, noisy street with people rushing by. Some are glued to their phones, dodging each other awkwardly, some with earbuds in, oblivious to their surroundings. A BUSKER strums a guitar, singing horribly off-key. A MAN runs into a POST without looking up.

EXT. PARK BENCH - DAY

LIA (20s), An environmental activist, a little awkward but determined, puts up a little sign that says, "Let us Talk!" in bright, bold characters. She looks out excitedly and modifies her sign. Without a look, a man wearing a headset shuffles past her.

LIA

(Sighs)

Yep, changing the world one person at a time.

A few PEOPLE glance at her but keep walking. She pulls out an old-fashioned BELL, ringing it enthusiastically.

LIA

Step right up! Get your humanity back! Limited-time offer!

A WOMAN with shopping bags snorts, shaking her head.

CUT TO:

INT. DINER - NIGHT

Lia is at a diner, sipping coffee, discouraged. A WAITRESS, SUSAN (50s), with a Southern twang, watches her, amused.

SUSAN

Hon, you look more beat than a drum at a country fair. What's gotcha down?

LIA

(Sighs)

I’m trying to get people to care, but it feels like talking to... no one.

SUSAN

People only give a damn if they feel it, honey. You need to get them where they matter. Make them chuckle and remind them of something worthwhile.

Susan pulls out an old FAMILY PHOTO, proudly showing it to Lia.

SUSAN

See this?The cornbread recipe that Grandma Bertha loved the most. continues to bring the entire family together on Sundays.

LIA

(Chuckling)

Maybe I should try cornbread. People might stop if I bribed them with food.

EXT. ALLEYWAY - NIGHT

A young boy, BENJI (8), is sitting in an alleyway, tinkering with a toy robot. A FIGURE in a hoody looms over him. Lia spots them, striding over to intervene.

LIA

Uh, excuse me. Kidnapping in progress, or...?

The hooded figure, MARCUS (30s), jumps back, wide-eyed.

MARCUS

I was just... fixing his toy. Relax, I’m not some... alleyway supervillain.

BENJI

(Relieved, showing his toy to Lia)

See? Marcus fixed it! Now it’s... uh, still broken.

Lia raises her eyebrows at Marcus, who shrugs.

INT. ABANDONED COMMUNITY CENTER - NIGHT

Together, LIA, BENJI, and MARCUS have formed the group. Soon after, JOE (60s), a former police officer who still speaks in a rough, "back in my day" tone, and PRIYA (40s), a tech professional with a no-nonsense approach, join them.

LIA

Alright, folks, this is our team. Let’s figure out how we’re gonna get people talking.

PRIYA

What, no PowerPoint presentation?

JOE

(Pointing to his own head)

I’ve got all the PowerPoints I need right here, kid.

BENJI

(Shrugs)

Can’t we just tell them to put their phones down?

Everyone stares at him.

PRIYA

And lose their entire personality? Not gonna happen.

They all laugh, breaking the ice.

MONTAGE: THE TEAM TRIES TO CONNECT WITH THE PUBLIC

Lia is positioned near a booth that reads, "Share Your Story." An elderly woman approaches and excitedly starts displaying Lia all 300 of the family's pictures.

At a coffee shop, Priya clumsily tries to strike up a conversation with a CUSTOMER, who believes she is making advances on him. Rolling her eyes, she turns to leave.

Lia is positioned near a booth that reads, "Share Your Story." An elderly woman approaches and excitedly starts displaying Lia all 300 of the family's pictures.

At a coffee shop, Priya clumsily tries to strike up a conversation with a CUSTOMER, who believes she is making advances on him. Rolling her eyes, she turns to leave.

INT. CITY HALL - NIGHT

In an attempt to draw attendees, the crew eventually organizes their first event. Lia waits anxiously for guests to arrive at the front. The door opens abruptly, and a constant stream of people enter, chatting among themselves.

LIA

(To the group, excited)

Guys! We actually have an audience.

Susan, the waitress, walks in holding a huge tray of cornbread. She nods at Lia.

SUSAN

(Triumphant)

Got the cornbread. Told you it’d work.

INT. CITY HALL - NIGHT - LATER

There are a number of inquisitive and doubtful individuals in the throng, chatting while carrying little plates of cornbread. Marcus clears his throat as he stands in front.

MARCUS

Alright, folks. Tonight we’re not here to argue or point fingers. We’re here to... eat cornbread and talk.

Laughter from the crowd.

JOE

And if you don’t like cornbread, there’s the door. (Smiles)

The crowd laughs, easing the tension. Lia steps up to the mic.

LIA

Each of us has a distinct origin. But let us have a family conversation tonight. similar to how we used to eat meals together at the table.

MONTAGE: SHARING STORIES, TRADITIONS, AND LAUGHS

A TEENAGE GIRL shares a funny story about her grandma's obsession with astrology, to everyone’s laughter.

An ELDERLY MAN reminisces about family fishing trips, with his exaggerated hand motions making everyone laugh.

A group of KIDS start a “cornbread eating contest,” with Benji leading the charge.

INT. CITY HALL - NIGHT - LATER

The event is winding down, but everyone’s still chatting, laughing, and sharing stories.

PRIYA

(To Lia, smiling)

Maybe humanity’s not totally hopeless.

LIA

(Smiling)

I’ll take “not totally hopeless.” It’s a start.

JOE

(Smiling)

I don’t care what anyone says... this is the best cornbread I’ve had in years.

SUSAN

It’s an ancient family recipe. Grandma Bertha knew what was up.

EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT

As the gang strolls across the city, nearby residents wave and grin at them. Even on the cold street, the air feels much warmer.

MARCUS

(Chuckling)

Who knew cornbread could save the world?

LIA

Hey, don’t knock tradition. It’s what connects us.

They all laugh, nodding in agreement.

EXT. PARK BENCH - NEXT MORNING

Lia, Marcus, Priya, Joe, and Benji put up their booth once more and displayed a fresh sign that read, "Laugh, Share, Remember." As people begin to assemble, they smile and offer platters of cornbread.

FADE OUT.

TITLE CARD:

"A chuckle, a story, and a piece of cornbread might often be all that is needed to unite us."

END.