11:15pm

FADE IN

Act 1

INT. BEDROOM - O1:30

PETER lies on his back. Eyes open. Staring at the ceiling.

PETER (V.O.): 11:15pm. That's where I'm. Still there.

His hands are folded on the chest.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Don't know if Yan is in Lo Wu or on her way to her home in Hui Zhou.

Peter shifts.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Driver Chai from Hunan should be sleeping somewhere in Shenzhen now.

He turns on his side, facing the window.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'll travel a little more first.

He tucks the quilt under his chin, like a child.

Act 2

FLASHBACK

EXT. LO WU DISTRICT - 22: 40 (Hours earlier)

Red taillights stretch into infinity. Peter sits alone near the back of the coach. His hands are on his phone as he tries to locate the coach position on Amap relative to Hotel Shangri-La at Lo Wu.

PETER (V.O.): The immigration gates close at midnight...

Pausing.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I can book a room at Hotel Shangri-La and extend my trip by one day.

Recalling.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Over 20 years ago, I made my family's bookings with the Hotel on the very day we checked in.

Pausing.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And two years ago, I chose the Hotel as my destination for my short stay in Lo Wu.

FLASHBACK UPON FLASHBACK

INT. HOTEL SHANGRI-LA, LO WU - 08:30 (Two years ago)

Coffee Garden. Buffet breakfast. Peter (70) is alone. He sees TOURISTS gathering around a GUIDE holding a Wing On Travel flag. They then eat like Peter.

PETER (V.O.): I'll check out after breakfast, but for them their package tour has just begun.

END FLASHBACK UPON FLASHBACK

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That was the day when I decided to join Wing On travel tours to Guangdong - it's more value for money.

Peter's phone clock reads 11:02pm.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I could just stay. The bed is comfortable. The breakfast is predictable...

11:15pm. The coach finally pulls into the designated drop-off zone. We hear the tour guide YAN (33) speaking over the mic.

YAN: Okay everyone! Please check your belongings. Thank you again!

FLASHBACK UPON FLASHBACK

EXT. ROADS, DONGGUAN TO SHENZHEN - 19:10

Yan is speaking over the mic:...RMB is very welcome...

PETER (V.O.): Tipping time...I appreciate her service...I tip more and in RMB.

Soon, when Yan approaches, Peter hands the RMB notes to her whose eyes widen.

YAN: One person is...

PETER: Keep the change.

YAN: Thank you. Thank you.

END FLASHBACK UPON FLASHBACK

The engine rumbles to a stop. The baggage hold opens with a metallic groan.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I don't have any suitcase.

He stands by the door, watching the driver, CHAI, methodically pulling out suitcases and getting tips from other TOURISTS.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Acknowledging the work behind our comfort is a form of dignity.

Driver Chai finishes and sees Peter.

PETER: You've done a great job - thank you.

Peter hands his tip to Driver Chai.

PETER (V.O.): I drive too - I know how much effort it takes to get here safely as fast as he can.

RETURN TO PRESENT

Act 3

INT. BEDROOM - 21:30

Peter uploads an image to a draft on his laptop. It shows the classic traffic jam at Lo Wu district at night scene, with the red lighting giving it an intense, cinematic feel.

PETER (V.O.): The tour was never about the package. It's about the people who unpack it for me.

Thinking.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The coach carries passengers. But at 11:15pm, it carries stories. And I carry them home.

Reflecting.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): At 11:15pm, the border is still open. But the real crossing happens in the heart.

The END

FADE OUT