SCRIPT

FIRST SCENE

INT. BEDROOM - MORNING

Camera shows ES (eldest sister) reading something, a faint music playing in the background. She
snapped her book shut, showing her face. She pulls her headphones off, fingers searching the
bedside table, then the rumpled sheets. Her scrunchie is missing.

Suddenly, a high-pitched giggle drifted from just outside her door.

ES sighed, pushing herself off the bed and heading for the door. When she opened it, she saw a
flash of YS (younger sister0 in pajamas disappearing around the corner, holding her scrunchie.

ES: YS! *running after her*

[INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS]

Camera follows ES chasing YS to the kitchen.

ES (Voice Over): Ah, yes. Welcome to our humble abode. Occupied, of course, by the people I
share chromosomes with.

Camera shows the mother, impeccably dressed, setting the table with a stern expression,
seemingly unfazed by the two girls chasing each other around her. The father sits calmly at the
table, reading the newspaper, immune to the morning mayhem.

Mom: *sighs in exasperation* Enough. It's barely morning.

Camera freezes, showing the mother.
ES (V.O.): That's Mom. The general. She keeps this house running with military precision. You
learn not to disrupt the schedule. She works at a high-end company and holds a high position, no
surprise there though.

Father lowered his newspaper slightly, a hint of amusement in his eyes as he watched the chase.
Camera freezes to show the dad.

Eldest Sister (V.O.): That's Dad. The calm in the storm. The provider of secret candies and
master of the understanding nod. He's a pretty chill parents and a very talented cook. He runs our
family restaurant.

ES: *catches* YS Gotcha! You are so grounded, you little thief!

YS stuck her tongue out, mocking ES.

Camera freezes, showing YS.

ES (V.O.): And this little menace is YS. Professional troublemaker, master of stolen items, and
deceptively quick when she has something of mine. She's already a first year college student but
somehow, she makes it her job to annoy me with her childish antics everyday.

ES and YS both finally settled down and helped their mother set the table.

ES (V.O.): So, yeah. This is my family—a typical, slightly chaotic household. And this should be
a normal day for us...or will it?

Shows title.
 LATERAL COMMUNICATION

[INT. CLASSROOM]

Scene 1
Shows YS and a few other students forming a circle for a group activity, sitting crisscross. As
they are huddling towards each other, they’ve decided to eliminate the idea of having a leader
through eye contact so that everyone can share and critique freely–a tacit agreement. They
believe that having no leader is a practice of independence.

Camera spins around, showing every faces.

C1 (Character 1): What do you guys think of just doing a PowerPoint presentation for our topic?
I mean, we only have one hour to prepare.
C2: I agree. All we have to do is research first and then copy and paste it on Canva. Easy!

Some nodded in response to what the first two suggested.

C3: That’s way too easy. Let’s not forget that “creativity” was included in the criteria. How
about...hmm…we act?
C4 (one of the students who nodded in response to C1 and C2): I think group 1 is acting too. We
would be overshadowed. Their group is composed of funny and energetic people.
C5: And the other groups are also doing the presentation. Between the two, acting is highly
preferable since we would differ in terms of delivery and attitude.
C6: *nods* Yeah... We also don’t need to prepare for the presentation; we’ll just familiarize
ourselves with the topic and do some ad-libs.
C1: Well, that works too. But we still need to explain the gist of our presentation. It is also
preferable if we show our references. That'll make it legitimate.

Everyone nodded, but the others were still reluctant. Someone raised their hand.
YS: How about we combine acting and presentation?

They all stared at the enthusiastic YS.

C2: Oh? How do we do that?

YS: We are going to act. While acting, let’s include the idea of researching and sharing it with
our “members” while also sharing it with our classmates.
C3: So, we will act like we are “presenting” and sharing the topic with our group? While also
indirectly presenting our idea?
YS: That is correct. *shrugs* Hope I made sense.
C1: Brilliant idea! That will work. And it is not too common!

The students all agreed to what YS suggested and started to brainstorm the sequence of their
presentation.

Instructor: Five minutes left!

C1-C6: Uh-oh, let’s hurry!
 UPWARD COMMUNICATION

[INT. BIOLOGY SOCIETY MEETING ROOM]

Scene 1
The president of the BioSoc, Jig, is conducting a meeting with the senior BioSoc officers. Beside
him stands Rhyn (ES), the student leader of the Fisheries Department.

Jig: Alright everyone! Listen up! Good news – right here with us today is Rhyn from the College
of Fishery.

Rhyn: *smiles and waves her hands* Hello!

Jig: It's the second week of the first semester and we still haven't done a welcoming for the
freshies, we're thinking of doing a joint exhibition. Biology projects alongside fisheries stuff. It'll
be a great way to show off what we do and maybe even impress some people outside of science.
What do you all think? Are we in?

A murmur of agreement and excitement ripples through the group. Everyone agrees.

[INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - JUST OUTSIDE THE SECRETARY’S OFFICE]

Scene 2
Camera pans. Jig alongside Rhyn, Fishery and BioSoc officers walk with purpose. Jeorge (a
Biology senior) walked out of the office, Ana saw and nudged Jeriemae.

Ana: *a little loudly* Isn't that your—

Jeriemae: *covers Ana's mouth with her hand and laughing awkwardly* Hey, we're a little late
aren't we? Shall we go inside?
Ria: We don't know if the secretary's available yet.
Ana: *pushes Jeriemae towards Jeorge slightly* Go on! Ask him! He might know.

Jig, Rhyn and Ria just shakes their head at the two's antics, chuckling.

Jeriemae: *glares at Ria before composing herself and approaching Jeorge* Uh, hey, Jeorge! We
wanna ask if the secretary's around?
Jeorge: *smiles upon the sight of her* Hey, Jer. And yeah, you can come in.
Jeriemae: *awkwardly* Great! Uhm, thanks.

The others began entering the office. Jeriemae's about to go with them when Jeorge called her.

Jeorge: Hey, uh, Jer?

Jeriemae: *whips back to face him* Yes?
Jeorge: *bashfully* Are you available tomorrow? I heard there's a new cafe downtown, want to
check it out? Uh... together?
Jeriemae: *blinks before smiling and nodding enthusiastically* Sure!

They both smile at each other for a moment and Rhyn had to pull Jeriemae away from Jeorge to
grab her attention.

Rhyn: Alright, that's enough. Let's get inside.

The others were already talking to Maddie, the secretary when Rhyn and Jeriemae went inside.

Jig: *in a respectful tone* It's about the freshmen welcoming, miss. Us, the Biology Society and
Fisheries want to propose an exhibition. We would like to schedule a quick meeting with the
School President to get the ball rolling.
Maddie: The President's schedule is packed solid right now. However, the Vice President, Mae
Kwan, might have a slot. Let me check.

INT. SCHOOL VICE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE

Scene 2
Rhyn and Jig follows the secretary to the Vice President’s Office.

Maddie: *enters the office* Bright morning, Ma'am! We have representatives from the Biology
Society and College of Fishery here to discuss an exhibition proposal for the welcoming day.

Mae Kwan is at her desk, reviewing papers. She looks up at their arrival and smiles warmly.

Rhyn and Jig: Bright morning, Miss!

Jig: Thank you for seeing us. I'm Jig from the Biology Society, and this is Rhyn from the
Fisheries. We're hoping to get approval for a collaborative exhibition for the new students'
welcoming event.
Rhyn: Our idea is to showcase some of the interesting projects our students work on – biology
experiments, fisheries crafts, even models of different species' skeletons. We think it'll be a fun
way to highlight student creativity and maybe even get students from other departments
interested in science.
Mae: *looks up, a hint of curiosity* An exhibition, you say? And how many students would be
involved in this?

Rhyn: We're hoping for full participation from both the Biology and Fisheries students. They
would work in groups based on their year level.

Mae: *checks her planner briefly* And what kind of budget are we looking at for something like
this?
Jig: We've put together a rough estimate of around ten thousand pesos to cover the cost of
materials and perhaps a small fee for a guest speaker to kick things off.
Mae: *leans back, considering* Alright. Send me a detailed proposal outlining the specifics of
the exhibition, the materials you'll need, and a clear breakdown of your budget so that I can also
inform our University President. I'll take a look and see what we can do.
Jig and Rhyn: Great! Thank you so much, Miss!
 DOWNWARD COMMUNICATION

Title: “Quarterly Alignment Brief”

Setting: Monday, 9:00 AM – Main Conference Room
Tone: Dry, sharp, high-level corporate drama with subtle humor
Characters:
• REGIONAL DIRECTOR (mother): Miranda Priestly-style executive, sharp and
composed, detail oriented, commands the room
• JAMIE: New Strategic Associate, a bit nervous, eager to please
• KARA: Experienced team lead
• MARCUS: Communications Head, dry wit, sarcastic

[ INT. CONFERENCE ROOM]

Scene 1
[CAMERA: Medium shot of the conference room. Employees whisper nervously. Laptops open.
Coffee cups in hand.]
[SFX: Heels clicking. Door opens.]
[CAMERA: Close-up on RD walking in, sleek and controlled. Everyone sits straighter.]

REGIONAL DIRECTOR (cool, measured): Good morning. We’re nineteen business days from
the end of Q2. That means results—not excuses, not optimism, not energy. Just results.

[CAMERA: Wide shot – everyone exchanges looks nervously.]

KARA (half-raises hand): We’ve started rolling out the updated engagement workflows. Early
indicators—
[CAMERA: Exchange between KARA and RD]

REGIONAL DIRECTOR (cutting in): “Early indicators” mean nothing without outcomes. If I
wanted hope, I’d read fiction. I want numbers. You’ll present them—visually—tomorrow.
Impress me.
KARA (nodding): Understood.
REGIONAL DIRECTOR (turning a page): Now. The Davenport account. The client’s escalation
email was timestamped at 10:14 a.m. and wasn’t acknowledged until 4:07 p.m (Scans the room.
Silence.)

[Cut to: KARA shifting uncomfortably. JAMIE glancing at MARCUS.]

REGIONAL DIRECTOR (with cold precision): That’s six hours. A client waited six hours while
we... what? Finished lunch? Did yoga? Had a personal crisis?
MARCUS (sighs, dryly): Probably all three. It was a Monday.
REGIONAL DIRECTOR (not amused): And yet somehow, other teams manage to multitask
without reputational fallout. From now on: client escalations are acknowledged within thirty
minutes. If your inbox is allergic to urgency, perhaps move to Facilities. (She closes her folder.)
MARCUS (muttering to Jamie): She means thirty dog minutes. That’s… five.
RD (without turning): Thank you, Marcus, for the math. Perhaps use it to double-check the
captions you published last week—with a typo, under the CEO’s quote.

[CAMERA: Close-up of MARCUS biting his tongue, sipping coffee.]

REGIONAL DIRECTOR: Moving on. The Johnson proposal. I skimmed it. It felt like it was
written by someone who just discovered PowerPoint last week. Safe. Predictable. A brochure in
disguise.
KARA (carefully): We were trying to match the client’s tone—
REGIONAL DIRECTOR (raising an eyebrow): The client wants results, not bedtime stories.
Rethink it. You have until Wednesday at noon.
(Her gaze lands on JAMIE, the new hire.)
REGIONAL DIRECTOR: Jamie, yes? Strategic Associate?

[CAMERA: Jamie’s eyes widen. RD turns to Jamie directly.]

JAMIE (nervous): Y-yes, ma’am.

REGIONAL DIRECTOR: When someone is mentioned in a client brief, I expect you to know
who they are, what they do, and who their assistant is. If I ask you mid-meeting, and you Google
them in front of the client, I will personally revoke your Wi-Fi.
JAMIE (awkward chuckle): Noted. Very… clearly.
MARCUS (murmurs to Jamie): It’s a rite of passage. You survive, you get the better coffee.
REGIONAL DIRECTOR (hearing him): Speaking of coffee—lukewarm. Again. For the third
time. Please inform whoever’s assigned to the caffeine detail that they are skating on very thin
ice.
KARA (lightly): Would you like me to handle it?
REGIONAL DIRECTOR: No. I’d like them to handle it—correctly. Once.
(She gathers her folder, glances around.)

[CAMERA: Everyone silently nods.]

REGIONAL DIRECTOR: You all know what’s expected. Execute accordingly. I’ll be in my
office—pretend I’m watching. Because I am.

[SFX: Footsteps fading. Door shuts.]

[Silence.]
[She leaves. Silence lingers. Then—]

JAMIE (whispers): Was that… a threat or a pep talk? Is that even normal?
MARCUS: With her, it’s both. That was her version of normal, you'll miss it when she's being
inspirational. Welcome to corporate.

[Lights fade.]
 DIAGONAL COMMUNICATION

[INT. RESTAURANT DINING AREA]

Scene 1
A shot of a busy restaurant. The waiter navigates through tables, a practiced smile on their face.

Customer 1: *tone sharp* Waiter! Excuse me! Can you come in here?

The waiter turns, a slight wince before heading towards the angry customer 1's table.

Waiter: *forced cheerfulness* Yes, ma'am? What can I do for you?

C1: *pointing dramatically at her plate* This adobo I've ordered—it's too salty! Does your chef
not measure the amount of salt or soy sauce he's supposed to put in this?!
C2, friend of C1: I agree. Just take it back to the chef. This is an unpleasant experience.
Waiter: *taking the plate, trying to maintain composure* I'll bring it back to the kitchen, ma'am.
I'm so sorry for the inconvenience. Perhaps our chef is in a phase of…intense flavor appreciation
today.
C1: 8still fuming* Thank you!

The waiter moves to another table where customer 3 is gesturing.

C3: *calm but firm* Excuse me, waiter? This adobo has to be the worst adobo I've ever had in
my entire life. And that's coming from someone who accidentally ate a sandwich left in a gym
bag overnight.
Waiter: *grimacing* I'm really sorry for the inconvenience, sir. We'll deal with this shortly.

The waiter walks towards the kitchen, then veers off towards a door labeled "Owner's Office," a
look of determined resignation on their face.
[INT. OWNER'S OFFICE]

Scene 2
The owner (father) is at his desk, looking over paperwork when he heard a couple of frantic
knocks.

Owner: *startled* Come in! Yes? What do you need?

Waiter: *enters, looking slightly apprehensive* Sir, several customers have been complaining
about our adobo. They said it's too salty and could be… memorable. In a bad way. One
gentleman mentioned a gym bag.
Owner: *deadpans* A what now?
Waiter: He compared the adobo to a sandwich marinated in a gym bag overnight.
Owner: *massages temple* That's impossible. Our chef has always followed the same recipe for
years. Perhaps their taste buds are on vacation. *slightly confused* Wait…why are you telling
me this? Shouldn't you inform the chef?
Waiter: Well, it seemed… widespread, sir. And I figured you'd want to know directly.
Owner: *eyes widening* Widespread, you say? Call the purchasing manager! Immediately! This
is a potential brand crisis!

Cut to a few moments later. The purchasing manager enters the office, looking slightly flustered

Purchasing Manager: Sir, you called? Is there an issue with the… napkin supply?
Waiter: There was a problem regarding the adobo served today.
PM: *looks at the waiter with a hint of confusion* Shouldn't the...chef be handling the food
complaints though?
Owner: Yes, well, but this waiter has informed me that our adobo has reached critical sodium
levels. Did you purchase the wrong ingredients?
PM: *defensively* No, sir! I ensured that we got the same stock as last year. The vendor assured
me. *looks pointedly at the waiter* This is usually a kitchen matter.
Owner: *sighs* Where's the recipe?

A few minutes time skip, the PM nervously hands over a slightly stained recipe card. Close-up
on the owner’s eyes widening as she reads the recipe.

Owner: *muttering* Three… tablespoons… per serving? That’s enough salt to pickle the entire
state! *looks pointedly at the waiter* I just remembered telling you yesterday to get a new copy
of the recipe because the original copy was practically rotting.

Flashbacks to the day before, the waiter attending to different customers in haste.

Owner: Did you rewrite the whole thing?

Waiter: *panicking* I w-was a bit occupied yesterday, sir, I didn't double check it—
PM: *side-eyes the waiter* So it was your fault.
Waited: Hey! I was busy serving while you were watching TV series in your office yesterday!

Flashbacks again to yesterday, the PM laughing while watching on their phone and eating chips.

Owner: Alright, alright! That's enough. *sighs in exasperation* Call the chef.

Cut to a few moments later. The head chef enters, looking slightly bewildered.

HC: You wanted to see me, sir? Everything alright? The salmon came in fresh. *looks at the
waiter and PM, mouthing a silent "why am I here?"*
Owner: Chef, our… highly efficient communication system – starting with our very busy waited
and our equally very chill purchasing manager – has brought to my attention that the adobo has
been described as… aggressively seasoned. I’ve adjusted the recipe to be slightly less… oceanic.
Please ensure the kitchen follows these new measurements. Give the customers their refunds as
well and apologize.
HC: *surprised* Ah. Well. Understood, sir. I’ll inform the team. *looks at the waiter again, and
whispers* You went to the owner first?
Owner: Ensure this doesn't happen again, I beg of you. *deadpans* And please, don't just throw a
kitchen problem to me without consulting the head chef first. I'm getting a headache from you
lot.

The three bowed slightly before awkwardly filing out of the office, all nudging each other.
 FINAL SCENE

[INT. DINING ROOM - EVENING]

A wide shot of the dining table. ES (Eldest Sister) leans back with a groan. YS (Youngest Sister)
bounces in her seat. Mom meticulously cuts her food, a furrow in her brow. Dad rubs his temples
with a weary look.

YS: *beaming* My presentation group totally nailed our combined acting-PowerPoint! It was so
out there, even the teacher looked confused but impressed! What about you, ES? Did you finally
conquer your proposed exhibition?
ES: *sighs dramatically* Conquer? No. I barely survived the chase. First, I needed to schedule a
meeting with the President. So we went to the secretary who made us wait for hours to schedule
a meeting with the Vice President. Finally, after three more emails and a carrier pigeon, we might
have a five-minute slot next week with the President.
Mom: *sighs and puts down her fork* Honestly, the incompetence some people display. It’s
baffling. (Dad's name), how was the restaurant today? Did your staff manage to serve food that
vaguely resembled what was on the menu?
Dad: *sighing* Oh, you know, the usual staff tension and unexpected recipe mishaps.
Apparently, our new waiter—bless his enthusiastic heart—thought the owner's office was the
kitchen. So, I had to deal with a sodium crisis problem. And then, the waiter decided that instead
of telling the chef the dish was too salty, he went straight to the kdrama-loving purchasing
manager. Apparently, everyone basically called everyone before finally calling the head chef.
ES: Now I feel sorry for even complaining just now. You had it bad, dad.
Mom: *shaking her head* Honestly, (dad's name). Your staff… sometimes I wonder if they’re
deliberately trying to invent new forms of workplace inefficiency. It’s a miracle anyone gets fed.
Dad: Well, they’re… creative. Like your daughter with her acting-PowerPoint. Just slightly
less… strategically directed. At least the bread was good.
YS: See? Everyone had an interesting day! Mine just involved less "possible hospital visit" and
more artistic expression! Maybe tomorrow we can all have more exciting adventures!
ES groans and rests her head on the table. Mom sighs and picks up her fork again. Dad shakily
drinks from his cup.

[SCENE END]