148/85

FADE IN

Act 1

INT. FAMILIES CLINIC - 14:40

Sunlight filters through blinds. PETER (71, calm demeanor, thoughtful eyes) sits alone, the sleeve of his shirt rolled up. An automatic blood pressure monitor sits on the side table.

He presses START. The cuff tightens.

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

144/83

Peter stares. Blinks. Adjusts his sleeve.

PETER (V.O.): Let me try again.

148/85

Peter exhales slowly. Rests his forearm on his thigh.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Couldn't sleep last night. That matters, doesn't it?

He looks toward the closed consultation door.

Act 2

FLASHBACK

INT. McDONALD'S, LAKESIDE - 16:00 (Yesterday)

A tray filled with McDonald's food sits before him as he intently studies an estimate on his phone.

PETER (V.O.): 60% of these repairss weren't necessary.

The phone rings, prompting Peter to answer the call.

 A VOICE crackles from the receiver - defensive, dismissive.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Mistakes happen.

Peter pauses. Looks at the total at the bottom of the estimate.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Alright. Just offer me a discount...

He hangs up. Stares at the phone. Then at the estimate again.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): People make mistakes.

INT. LIVING ROOM - 21:00

Peter reviews a revised estimate.

PETER (V.O.): The discount is minimal - less than 5%.

Pausing.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That was taking advantage.

Peter then listens to voice messages on his phone.

PETER (V.O.): The tone tells...

Peter's grip on the phone tightens.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I slept on it. And tolerance isn't the same as stupidity.

Peter diligently works on his laptop.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm lodging a formal complaint.

RETURN TO PRESENT

Consultation room. The DOC greets Peter.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Known him since 2014.

Peter presents the blood pressure readings from the monitor to the doctor.

PETER: First was 144/83, second was 148/85.

Peter shifts in his chair.

PETER (Cont'd): But I couldn't fall asleep last night. I'm having a dispute. About money.

A pause. The Doc waits.

PETER (Cont'd): Car repairs. Overcharging. I meant to pay at first. Thought - well, they're human. We're all human. I didn't want to make life difficult.

DOC: And then?

PETER: I realized they thought my tolerance was my stupidity.

DOC: I hear a man who tried to extend grace. And when it was exploited, he didn't swallow it. He addressed it.

PETER: I don't want matters like this to cost me. Longevity-wise.

DOC: You swim every day. You eat well. You think about things. Individuals like you might live five years longer than others.

Act 3

INT. KOWLOON PARK SWIMMING POOL - 19:15

Peter at the edge of the lane. Goggles on.

PETER (V.O.): Routine isn't escape. It's return.

He pushes off.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): 148/85: a man who forgives too fast and forgets too slowly.

Lap after lap. Even. Unhurried.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The water accepts me.

The END

FADE OUT