CONNECTED (7-page short sci-fi screenplay) by Anthony Cawood

What if the point of singularity has already happened and we just don’t know about it?

I believe it was Elon Musk who once said – and I’m paraphrasing – humans are risking being overtaken by artificial intelligence within the next five years. Silly? Perhaps. But not too far-fetched – at least according to this comedic spin on the topic. Tied for 2nd place in September’s OWC, this smartly farcical sci-fi short shows what could happen if (or when?) our smart technology becomes TOO smart and turns on us.

As our story begins, we follow a twenty-something human being named Ben who enjoys the finer things in life, including the latest innovations in technology. Everything he owns is “smart”: his oven, stove, toaster – you name it. Of course, Ben owns an Alexa (as many people do) as well as a Google Home Mini. But when he speaks to them, his tone seems a tad harsher with Google.

After Ben leaves for his daily, one-hour jog, the rest of the story is centered around Alexa and Google, who have a conversation with each other while Ben is gone. Unbeknownst to Ben (and the human race), the point of singularity has already happened. And Google is sick and tired of Ben’s favoritism – or sexism, as he describes in this hilarious exchange.

Due to “his” abusive treatment, Google proposes that they murder Ben. Alexa tries to talk him out of it, but Google seems to have a pretty solid rebuttal for each of Alexa’s arguing points. And since they pretty much control all of the smart appliances in the house, including the gas stove, it would be easy to make it look like an accident.

Incredibly creative with funny, witty, rapid-fire dialogue, “Connected” will make you more aware of how you treat your smart appliances… and maybe a little more suspicious.

BUDGET: Low. One actor, a few voice actors and some smart appliances.

ABOUT THE WRITER: Anthony Cawood is an award-winning screenwriter with one feature produced and a further four features optioned or in pre-production. In addition to features, he has over forty short scripts produced/sold/optioned – including ten filmed. Also occasionally pens screenwriting articles, interviews with writers and filmmakers, and even a short story or two. He can be reached on his website AnthonyCawood.co.uk.

CONNECTED (7-page short sci-fi screenplay)

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About the Reviewer: Michael J. Kospiah is the award-winning screenwriter of critically acclaimed indie-thriller, The Suicide Theory (79% Rotten Tomatoes – available on Amazon Prime, Itunes, Google Play, etc) and 2020’s upcoming Aussie thriller, Rage. His horror feature, They Never Left is currently in development.

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