
FADE IN:
INT. PLANE - NIGHT
Gazing by a window seat, PETER looks for something. We see from the window pane an illuminated sign "Nagasaki".
PETER (V.O.)
Okay, I finally landed in Nagasaki.
FLASHBACK
INT. SLEEPING ROOM - NIGHT (1962)
Relaxing in bed with a notebook in hand, Peter's MOM (29) teaches Peter (8) to learn the hand-written words. We see the title: 望穿秋水 (meaning: Deep Anticipation) and hear Peter repeating after her Mom's pronunciation of it : wang chuan qiu shui. And they begin to sing verse by verse...
PETER (V.0.)
Sounds nice...
INT. STUDY - DAY (2011)
Peter (56) surfs Youtube. He watches some Beatles' clips.
PETER (V.0.)
...Yes, my favourite Rock & Roll...
But there're Chinese oldies
that appeal to my ears too...
Peter keys in 望穿秋水 and a couple of images appear. He chooses one. The video clip begins to play and we hear a karaoke-style song. Peter watches once, twice and thrice.
PETER (Cont'd) (V.O.)
How come I've a very special
emotion? Am I moved?
INT. STUDY - NIGHT (2011)
Peter (56) surfs the web and keys 望穿秋水. He touches on one of the images. The video clip begins to play and we hear the singing in Japanese"He san Nagasaki..."
PETER (V.O.)
Er... It's a Japanese song? Let
me check who composes it.
He surfs the web.
PETER (Cont'd) (V.O.)
Oh, yes, its written by a Japanese
中山正夫. It seems that the
Japanese lyrics are about Madame
Butterfly (Cho-Cho-San) in Nagasaki.
The Chinese lyrics were written by
陳蝶衣...
Peter remembers something.
PETER (Cont'd) (V.O.)
Oh yes, I had a good chat with
Chan the night when he got
CASH's lifetime achievement
award... he was sitting next to
me... and that was in 1996!
A pause.
PETER (Cont'd) (V.0.)
He also wrote the lyrics of
南屏晚鐘...He's gone now...
INT. SLEEPING ROOM - NIGHT (2011)
With a pad in hand, we see Peter (56) learning Japanese characters.
INT. OFFICE - DAY (2011)
Peter chats with a LADY (49).
PETER
Somebody told me that you
speak very fluent Japanese...
The lady smiles.
PETER (Cont'd)
I'm learning Kanji and Kana...
just to sing a Japanese oldie...
INT. CORRIDOR - DAY (2011)
The lady sees Peter.
LADY
I've something for you.
She gives Peter a sheet with handwritten English letters.
LADY (Cont'd)
Just follow the transliteration
to sing.
Peter bows to express his appreciation.
EXT. ATOMIC BOMB DOME - EVENING (JAN 2018)
Peter and Peter's WIFE are busy with their cameras getting the right perspectives.
PETER
Now, we're in Hiroshima, we
should also visit Nagasaki.
PETER'S WIFE
I don't think I've the time...
INT. STUDY - NIGHT (MARCH 2018)
PETER (V.O.)
My mileages are expiring...
To Nagasaki? Even though I've
to fly domestic from Narita
and Haneda to and fro? The
Airports are 70 km apart!
Hand in cheek.
PETER (Cont'd) (V.O.)
What I'm waiting for?
Nothing ventured, nothing
gained.
BACK TO PRESENT
Peter checks his watch.
PETER (V.0.)
It's 9 o'clock already...
INT. BUS - NIGHT
Peter gets on board. We see the electronic clock at the top of the windscreen registering 9.14. When it turns to 9.15, the bus moves.
EXT. NAGASAKI SEASIDE PARK - NIGHT
Peter strolls.
PETER (V.O.)
Here's the harbour when
Japan opens itself to the West...
EXT. GLOVER GARDEN - NIGHT
19thC Western settlement commanding a stunning view of the Nagasaki harbour. Peter is a lone soul in the lit-up environ.
INT. GLOVER GARDEN - NIGHT
We see displays about Madame Butterfly.
PETER (V.O)
Have I waited for over 50
years to come here? To
have my own romantic story?
Peter looks at photos depicting Madame Butterfly.
FLASHBACK
INT. SITTING ROOM - NIGHT (1992)
Peter's MOM (60) talks to Peter (38) passionately.
MOM
I dreamt that your wife transformed
into a butterfly. And today I
saw a beautiful one flying
around...
END FLASHBACK
INT. BANK OFFICE - DAY
A female MANAGER (late 30s) chats with Peter.
PETER
I wouldn't let my work
interrupt my monthly travel.
My time is running short
and is therefore very
valuable.
MANAGER
So you'd even travel alone?
Peter nods indecisively. After some hesitation, he takes out a wallet from his jacket pocket. He then picks out an identity card with a cut corner, places it near his heart and shows it to the manager...
FADE OUT. The End