We Are

Darius: I’m right here, Babe. We’re together right now. Ayana: But your mind is somewhere else. Those pings mean more to you than me! Darius: It’s how people are now. Everybody talks to everybody. It doesn’t mean I don’t care about you. Ayana: But you treat me like your break between swipes. Darius, I wanna build something real with you. Darius: I never lied to you, Ayana. I’m not ready to settle down yet. I thought you were cool with that. Ayana: Yeah I was, when we first met. But now, I want us to grow, Darius. To be more than just casual. Can we try that? Darius: I’ll think about it. Ayana: I won't pressure you, but... yeah, think about it. [[Continue|Nia's Family Dinner]] (set: $see_if_he_will_listen to 1)

(A small café. Ayana sits alone at a table. Darius, her boyfriend, enters and sits down.) Darius: Hey, you look great! Sorry I’m late—it's ridiculous at work (starts looking at his phone) I'm not gonna be able to stay long. Ayana: No problem. I was getting a little worried, though. Darius: Yeah. (Types something into his phone, then puts it face down on the table) So, what’s good here? Ayana: Well, our connection... used to be good. Darius: (laughs) Wow, that's deep! You’re so cute. (There's a notification from the phone.) Ayana: Other plans? Darius: (pauses a moment) Relax. Look... we agreed to keep our options open, didn't we? Ayana: I’m not an option, Darius. Darius: Don’t be so dramatic. We’re just having fun, right? (She glances out the window. Couples are passing by, staring at their phones. She looks back at Darius) [[I don't think this is working for me anymore.]] [[All I'm saying is, I need a little less phone, and a little more us.]]

(Rooftop, the city hums below.) Nova: So... this was a tough day for me. I got some clarity. Ayana: Me too, I guess... Nia: Hey, we probably got proof of what the world is really like. (if: $keep_quiet_keep_job is 1)[ [[Nova: I have to play the game|I have to play the game]] ](else:)[ [[Nova: I might be out of a job soon.|I might be out of a job soon.]] ]

(An empty office. Computers hum.) Nova: //I need the truth. This is my job! Chaz says the company is fine, but the rumors say something else...// (She types, data appears on screen.) Nova: Oh my god. It looks like someone's slowly downloading our entire database! (Footsteps) Chaz: Nova? What are you doing here so late? [Nova]: Chaz! You're still here? I was just checking reports. Making sure tomorrow’s presentation is ready. [Chaz]: Always working hard. That's why I keep you here. (He leaves.) [[I've got to tell someone about this. ]] [[I better keep quiet.]]

//If I say anything now, he'll remember. He'll check the logs, he'll find out that I know everything now. What would he do to keep me quiet? To save his company and his reputation? I don't wanna find out. Keep your mouth shut, Nova.// [[Continue|Ayana's Cafe Scene]] (set: $keep_quiet_keep_job to 1)

(A village field office, half-collapsed from a hurricane. Outside are injured villagers, crying children and frantic volunteers.) Director: Nia! It’s much worse than we thought. We’ve already run out of antibiotics and bandages. Nia: I’ve been doing triage. What a nightmare. I’ll call the city for more supplies. Director: You'll need money to get supplies, Nia. We don’t have it. Not enough for what we need. Nia: Our relief networks... Director: Nia, we don’t have time for that. We need cash //now//. Call your father. He’ll listen to you. Nia: I don't really have that money... Director: People are dying, Nia. What—are you trying to stay independent, while people bleed out? Nia: I can't guarantee anything. Don't we have emergency reserves? Director: We did. But nobody planned for anything like this. It's the worst hurricane on record for this region. I know how rich your father is, Nia. Now's the time to use it. These people don't have to die. Nia: I don’t know what I can do! Director: Well, find out fast! Because we'll be out of morphine in about an hour. (if: $play_the_game is 1)[ [[Continue|Game consequences]] ](else:)[ [[Continue|Whistle consequences]] ]

Darius: Babe, what are you talking about? Hey... let's spend all day tomorrow together... we'll go to that restaurant you love... Ayana: That's what I’m talking about. You’re here, but you're not here. You just brush me off, and I'm supposed to be here for you tomorrow. Darius: Stop being so dramatic! You're here, and I'm here right now, aren’t I? Ayana: Yeah, for a minute. But really, to you, I'm just a warm body until something better pings you. Darius: I never lied to you. You're a good thing. We're just having fun. Ayana: I'm not a thing, I'm a person. I want something real. And I get it now.... you don’t. So… that's it, I'm done. Darius: You’ll change your mind tomorrow. Ayana: Don't hold your breath tomorrow. You're free to go... wherever. (Darius leaves) [[Continue|Nia's Family Dinner]] (set: $see_if_he_will_listen to 2)

Ayana: (frowns) The game? What do you mean? Nova: I looked at some of our logs at work, and I think somebody's selling our data. Ayana: Nova, you found something illegal? You can’t just look the other way! Nia: I think Nova’s right, Ayana. If she loses her job, that helps nobody. Ayana: But it's wrong! Nova: I’m buying time. I’ll work within the system and wait for an opportunity. Nia: You always were the sneaky one. Just promise us you'll get out if it looks like you're losing the game. Nova: I promise. (if: $see_if_he_will_listen is 1)[ [[Continue|Love takes time.]] ](else:)[ [[Continue|I'm done.]] ] (set: $play_the_game to 1)

Ayana: Wait—what? Nova, what happened? Nova: Somebody at the company is leaking our data! Probably selling it. To try to get through the economic downturn. I reported it. Ayana: Well, hopefully your boss will take care of it. Nova: I didn't tell my boss. I think he's part of it! I gave the documentation to a reporter. My company would just bury it. Nia: That’s huge. Aren't you scared? Nova: Not right now, I'm not. But they'll figure out who leaked. I’m not naive. I'm working with some of the sharpest people in the IT world. Nia: You’re braver than I am, Nova. Nova: Thanks. If nobody ever takes action, nobody is safe. (if: $see_if_he_will_listen is 1)[ [[Continue|Love takes time.]] ](else:)[ [[Continue|I'm done.]] ] (set: $play_the_game to 2)

Nia: I pissed off my parents. Nova: Aren't they always upset with you? Nia: (laughs) I told them I’m doing the charity, period. I’m not giving up my mission, which means everything to me, to run their stupid empire. They said I'm throwing my life away. It's so insulting. Ayana: That's brave. Nia: They’re threatening to cut me off my money. Nova: Let them. Ayana: You're so brave, Nia. You know we’re here for you, right? If you need a couch, a shoulder, we’re here. Nia: I know you're always here for me. And I know I’m done living for someone else. My life is mine. Nova: Nia, plenty of people live a good life without the kind of money your family has. [[Nia: I don't need them.|I don't need them.]]

Nia: I told my parents what they wanted to hear. Ayana: You told them what, exactly? Nia: Maybe I’ll step back from the charity. Maybe I’ll run the family business. Nova: You were lying to buy yourself some time, right? Nia: Maybe. I don’t know. Sometimes it feels like I’m giving everything I have, and nothing really changes. Sometimes I wonder if it would be easier to just do what they want. Ayana: But are you being true to you? This is your dream! Nova: If you need some time off, take some time off... but don’t sell your soul just to get their approval. That's too high of a price. Nia: I know. I just... maybe I need time to remember why I'm doing this. They say I'm damaging their legacy, and hurting myself at the same time. Ayana: Maybe they're wrong about that. [[Nia: Maybe they're right.|Maybe they're right.]]

Ayana: I just can't take it anymore. Nova: Ayana… what happened? Ayana: The lies, the excuses. I’m tired of waiting for him to just be a decent man. Nia: Oh, Darius. You know, you don’t have to be patient forever. You've already given him way too many chances. Ayana: I keep thinking, if I was prettier, smarter, nicer, more fun to be with... I don't know... Nova: Stop right there. He's lucky to have you. You put up with so much of his crap! More than I would. It's him, Nova. He’s the one with the problem. Nia: You deserve someone who doesn’t put you through this every day. Ayana: Yeah... I really needed to hear that. Yeah, it's over. (if: $stay_polite is 1)[ [[Continue|I told my parents what they wanted to hear.]] ](else:)[ [[Continue|I pissed off my parents.]] ] (set: $love_takes_time to 2)

//So, what's the plan, Chaz? Sell the data, let the company fail, and we end up on the street? While you invest in your next venture? I need this job, but it looks like I might not have one, no matter what I do. So... I wonder who'd like to know about this....// [[Continue|Ayana's Cafe Scene]] (set: $keep_quiet_keep_job to 2)

Ayana: I'm giving Darius another chance. Nova: Are you sure? He's constantly disrespecting you! Ayana: But he’s trying. You know he's younger than me. Maybe I’ve been hard on him. I still believe in him and me. Nia: You shouldn't have to babysit him, Ayana. Don’t make yourself smaller, just to make it work. Ayana: I'm not gonna do that. But I'm still in, and I always give all of me. Nova: Well, I guess that's good. (if: $stay_polite is 1)[ [[Continue|I told my parents what they wanted to hear.]] ](else:)[ [[Continue|I pissed off my parents.]] ] (set: $love_takes_time to 1)

(A regional charity field office near the village.) Director: Nia, you’ve been working too hard. Why don't you take a little break? A group of us are heading into the city next week. Don't you miss sleeping in a real bed, eating decent food? Air conditioning! You deserve it! Nia: (a little confused) I can't really do that... I have aid shipments to coordinate. People are depending on it. Director: Nia, listen... I need to talk to you. Your father called. He thinks you might be suffering from burnout. And to tell you the truth, we don't really need all the workers we have right now. So, we've eliminated your position. Nia: I'm fired?! Director: No, not fired. Nia, I want you to stay on. But I have a new post for you. It's easy. All you have to do is look pretty when the donors visit. And hold the shipments until I give you the green light. That's it. Nia: Hold shipments? You want me to starve people?! Director: It's just politics, Nia. If the local government needs the shipments, they don’t harass us. Sometmes they even give us a little financial incentive, you know? Then, when aid comes to the people, we all look like heroes. So you see, we all win. And you get your week of luxury in the city, and then a cushy post here. Nia: Cruelty and greed! What I came here to fight against! Director: Listen sweetheart, don’t be so dramatic. Think about it. You can always pack your things and go. It's up to you. (if: $play_the_game is 1)[ [[Continue|Game consequences]] ](else:)[ [[Continue|Whistle consequences]] ]

(A formal dining room. Nia sits across from her parents.) Mother: Did you bring back any pictures? Nia: I don't have time to take pictures. We were transporting clean water to fifty families, Mama. Father: They can't get their own water? What are they paying you for this, Nia? Nia: I'm not doing this for the money, Papa. Father: Cash is king, Nia. Do you know that those charities—yours too—come to us, begging for money? Nia: It’s not begging. It’s helping poor people stay alive. Mother: Oh please. Those people don't need you. Our family needs you to run the Adisa Foundation. A prestigious charity. You'd rather be a nobody, giving poor people a drink of water? I don't understand you. Father: Come back to the family. No more shame. No more wasting our legacy. We did this all for you! [[Maybe I want to create my own legacy!]] [[You know I would never do anything to shame the family.]]

Above them, the sky is vast and silent. They look up and remember where they are. [[Begin the story|Begin]]

Father: Then why do you squander your education digging wells for people who can’t pay you? You have our resources! Mother: Living among those people? Maybe giving up your inheritance... Nia: I’m just… trying to figure it out. Maybe there’s a middle ground somewhere. Father: Use your connections! Sit on boards! Don’t drag our name through the mud by living like a peasant. Nia: Yes, Papa. I’ll consider my options. I want you to be proud of me. Mother: We always will be, as long as you remember who you are. [[Continue|Back to Rooftop Hub 2]] (set: $stay_polite to 1)

Father: What? Nia: You keep saying my purpose is just to keep our family name shiny, but maybe I don't want to run the family empire! Mother: Nia, please. Use this charity fantasy for photo ops, but don't throw your life away on it... Nia: You've never been there, Mama. It’s real people who need help. It takes more than your money. People like me are part of the solution, too. Father: You’d walk away from this family? Nia: I’m not walking away from you. I’m walking toward what's important to me. Mother: When you end up broke, don’t expect us... Nia: You're making this so difficult... [[Continue|Back to Rooftop Hub 2]] (set: $stay_polite to 2)

(The office of Chaz, the owner of the company.) Chaz: Working late... wow, I trusted you. Let's cut to the chase. You went to a reporter, didn't you? Risking my company! Nova: People deserve to know if their personal information was sold. Chaz: You’re a thief. You stole company data, you leaked it, you sold it. Nova: No, I didn’t steal anything. I found the breach. Chaz: You’re fired. Effective immediately. And by the way, I’m pressing charges. Nova: For what? Chaz: This company's lawyers are the best in the state, and we'll get you. Who do you think a jury will believe? Nova: Me, because you're lying! Chaz: You're a low-level coder who hacked into the company's system. My company has been in this city for over 20 years! Nova, you're good. But you stuck your nose where it didn't belong. Nova: I didn't wanna believe it was you... I'll see you in court. Chaz: Good luck. Get out. And get another career. I'll make sure you never work in tech again. (if: $love_takes_time is 1)[ [[Continue|Partner shock]] ](else:)[ [[Continue|Romantic gift]] ]

(Outside the police station. Nova has just been arrested, booked and released. Ayana and Nia meet her outside the station.) Nova: They sure are efficient when they wanna be. I’ve got a court date. Ayana: Oh my God, are you okay? What happened?! Nova: Yes, I'm ok. Chaz called the police. He must be the one who sold people’s data and now he’s framing me for it. Nia: How are you gonna fight him? He's got the company's resources behind him. Nova: I don’t even have a lawyer yet. I'll figure it out. My face is gonna be in every local news feed as the employee who got arrested for hacking. My career is over. Ayana: No, we’ll help you! We’ll raise money so we can hire the best lawyer. Nia: You did the right thing, Nova. That means something to you, doesn't it? Nova: Does it? I think honesty just ruined my life. (if: $love_takes_time is 1)[ [[Continue|Partner shock]] ](else:)[ [[Continue|Romantic gift]] ]

(At the cafe. Ayana and Darius are sitting together at a table.) Darius: (Checking something on his phone) Ayana: Hey, I thought we were gonna try to connect more. Give me that! (She snatches the phone from his hand) I’m holding this thing hostage so we can actually talk. Darius: Ayana... Ayana: (staring at the screen) What… is... this? Darius: It’s... Ayana: (reading) Your order: Eros Companion, full-sensory AI pleasure unit. A robot? Are you kidding me? Darius: Ayana—don’t take it so seriously. Ayana: This is sad. You couldn’t give me real conversation? Instead you buy a fake woman? To do what? Obey your every command? Darius: It’s just a toy... it doesn’t mean anything. Ayana: Darius, does anything mean anything to you? [[Back to Rooftop Hub 3]]

(Ayana's apartment. Ayana's phone rings, she answers) Ray: Hey, Ayana! Ayana: Hey! Ray: Listen—I'm throwing a little party Friday. You and Darius better show up, or I’ll talk bad about you both! Ayana: There’s no "me and Darius" anymore. We’re done. Ray: For real? Wow. He didn’t say anything. Ayana: He’s good at not saying things. Ray: That's weird because, he told me, like, three days ago, that commitment freaks him out. But then he said—quote—"If I ever settle down, it’d be with Ayana." Ayana: Really? Ray: Yeah. He’s a known idiot, but he does have another side to him. Maybe he doesn't know how to show it. Ayana: Wow, I didn’t know... Ray: I’m sorry... maybe I shouldn't have said anything. Ayana: No, it’s ok. I just wish he’d said it to me... Ray: You still wanna come Friday? No Darius, just you. Ayana: Maybe. I’ll think about it. Ray: Ok... Ayana, you... you deserve the real thing. Ayana: Thanks, Ray. [[Back to Rooftop Hub 3]]

(On the rooftop. The city hums below.) Ayana: Sometimes, I swear the whole world has lost its mind. Nova: The truth is for sale. And we’re supposed to smile and play along. Nia: Meanwhile, people are hoarding money while kids starve. And supposedly, the solution is luxury. Ayana: How are we supposed to build anything real with all this madness? Nova: Every day, we have to take one more step toward our dreams. Nia: We’re strong and smart... what else is it gonna take? Ayana: (Looking up at the stars) There’s gotta be an answer up there somewhere, right? Nova: Or down here, inside us. Nia: Let's promise, no matter what they throw at us—we keep looking. We keep going. Ayana: We keep going. Nova: Always.

We Are - Intro What they're living through will become the footnotes their grandchildren will study in decades to come. But for now, the question is ...what will become of them in these times? Three friends sit side by side on an urban rooftop, the city humming beneath them. In their mid-twenties now, each one has a longing ... to do, and have, and be... ...and each wonders if the world they've inherited will show them the path to become who they know they were meant to be. [[Continue|Intro 2]]

Nova has always wanted one thing more than anything else—stability. She grew up in a large family that always struggled. She worked like crazy to make it into tech, hoping knowledge would bring her a life of comfort and status. But in her upscale office, she hears the headlines shouting, warning of collapsing economies and vanishing jobs. She's beginning to wonder: what good is success if the ground is crumbling beneath our feet? [[Continue|Intro 3]]

Ayana grew up being passed from one foster family to another, never really belonging to anyone, never really having a home, written off as really having no future. She longs for the kind of love she never had ... a true partner, lover, friend ... a warm, stable and permanent home ... to create a family that will be theirs forever... But she's frightened by the world she sees outside her window. Lies and manipulation and disrespect, shallow hookups on dating apps, in a culture too busy to pause and really connect. Is real love even possible when people don't even believe in it? [[Continue|Intro 4]]

Nia is supposed to have it all... she comes from a family with generational wealth. She never had to think about anything, the family never lacked anything ... except maybe a purpose. She's ready to give her life to something bigger, to help villages in need, children without clean water, mothers without medicine. People who need resources, and who just need someone to care. But every time she tries to step off the easy path she knows so well, her family ridicules her: "Why would you want to waste your life?..." "Why help total strangers ... take care of //you//, of //us!// Don't worry about them!" [[Continue|Intro 5]]

On this rooftop, together, they share stories, they laugh, they worry ... they give each other strength and cling to the hope that maybe ... they can find enough courage to make it to their destination. The city skyscrapers are swaying around them ... instability is the norm. ...economies crack, the climate warms, unrest is rumbling... On this night, they make a pact: keep dreaming and helping each other remember what they're here for. [[Continue|Rooftop Hub 1]]