The Bear Cub Story

FADE IN:

INT. SITTING ROOM - DAY

Ralaxing on a sofa with a phone in hand, PETER checks a post and sees a video. We see a bear cub, following an adult bear, trying to make its way up a steep snowy mountain cliff. It slides down a couple of times to reach the top. Even when it slips again to the lowest point, the bear cub does not give up and finally makes it.

PETER

(Voice Over)

Well done cub! When you try

again, and again, I know you can

make it.

Peter watches the video clip again. We see the cub, having reached the top, hops over the snow to catch up with the adult bear.

PETER

(Voice Over)

I can feel you're very happy that

you've not been left behind.

EXT. PARK - DAY

Alerts. Peter's checks his phone.

PETER

(Voice Over)

Oh! The same bear cub video. It

must have echoed in the minds of

many!

Peter types and we see: "The secret of success is constancy of purpose." He presses the "Send" key.

FLASHBACK

INT. SITTING ROOM - DAY (1960s)

Shabby room. Peter in his teens reads a thin book.

PETER

(Voice Over)

I like this quote: The secret of success

is constancy of purpose!

INT. VILLAGE HOUSE - DAY (1974)

Primitive and simple lodging. Behind the cockloft, there is a single bed. Peter (20) studies at a small desk.

PETER

(Voice Over)

I must score better grades than last year's. This's my second and

last chance to get admitted to

HKU as I stopped studying Maths

after Form 3.

INT. STUDY - NIGHT

Peter comes in with a thin letter with the HKU logo. He opens it solemnly. We see: "I regret to..."

BEGIN MONTAGE - PETER'S STRUGGLE TO LEARN MATHS

INT. STUDY - DAY & NIGHT (1975-1976)

A pile of brand new Maths books on a small desk. We see at the book spines: "F.1", "F.2", "F.3", "F.4", and "F.5". Peter reads them on and off and does a few calculations.

INT. EXAMINATION HALL - DAY (1976)

Peter is among the candidates. Except Peter, they write on the answer books quickly. Peter examines the questions and does a few calculations, putting his hand on his cheek from time to time.

INT. STUDY - NIGHT (1976)

Envelope in hand, Peter opens it in a couldn't-care-less-fashion. We see: "Maths - Grade G"

INT. STUDY - DAY & NIGHT (1976-1977)

Maths books on the small desk look not so new. Peter studies them and does some calculations on paper sheets.

INT. EXAMINATION HALL - DAY (1977)

As he writes on the answer book, Peter checks his watch from time to time. We hear "Stop!", and see Peter leaving many blanks in the answer book.

INT. STUDY - NIGHT (1977)

Envelope in hand, Peter opens it solemnly. We see: "Maths - Grade F".

PETER

(Voice Over)

Okay, I'm doing better.

INT. STUDY - DAY & NIGHT (1977-1978)

Maths books look worn out. Sheets with calculations on them are everywhere.

INT. EXAMINATION HALL - DAY (1978)

Sitting behind Peter (24) is a TEENAGER.

PETER

(Embarrassed)

Brother Keung, you're sitting

behind me.

TEENAGER

Big brother, your name is Fai.

Mine is Keung.

Peter writes his answer book very seriously and pretty quickly.

INT. STUDY - NIGHT (1978)

Envelope in hand, Peter opens it hopefully. We see: "Maths - Grade C".

PETER

Oh! I've passed at last!

A credit too!

We see Peter's wide mouth and his dreamy eyes.

END MONTAGE

BACK TO PRESENT

EXT. PARK - DAY

Alert. Peter checks his phone. Below his previous comment, we see: "Yeah!" and a yellow thumb-up device.

INT. STUDY - DAY

Dotted with papers and guitars, Peter works on a computer, writing lines in screenplay format. We see the title: The Bear Cub Story.

PETER

(Voice Over)

My purpose was constant then.

Without the requisite Maths

qualification, I couldn't apply to read at HKU for the third time

and got into the Law School in

1981. The bear cub story is my

story too!

Peter smiles.

FADE OUT.

#TheBearCubStory