Alice Adams sits alone in a small-town American diner at lunchtime circa 1960, which suddenly begins to buzz when two strangers enter that stick out even worse than she does. Two young African-Americans, Mary and Ray, take a seat at the whites-only counter, asking to be served with simplicity and courtesy. Alice witnesses the racism they immediately encounter, and in turn she’s presented with an opportunity that will change her life forever: Alice decides to support the cause, joining Mary and Ray for the “sit-in” protest. But when tensions begin to boil in the diner, will Alice’s good intentions be enough to protect the integrity of the non-violent protest started by Mary and Ray?