Photo by Ma Hao
FADE IN:
INT. FUNCTION ROOM - DAY
Coffee Break. LADY#1 (40s) talks to PETER.
LADY#1
The BIP Asia Forum is coming up.
I'm wondering if you'd squeeze
the time to join our session.
Peter thinks and nods.
LADY#1 (Cont'd)
What should be our theme? What
would you like to talk about?
PETER
The primary goal is to sustain
Hong Kong as a value centre
of professional services. The
international community used
to set standards. Now is the
time for the Greater Bay Area
to play a role in the international
IP arena.
Lady#1 listens carefully and nods.
INT. STUDY - DAY
Peter prepares powerpoint slides. In the title page, he types:
"From the Bay Area to the International IP Arena".
A beat.
PETER (V.O.)
Last year, I talked about blockchain,
smart contracts and Initial Coin
Offerings (ICOs). This year, I should
mention Security Token Offerings (STOs).
A beat.
Peter has his eyes on a slide on the computer screen. We see: "Begin with the End in mind". Peter saves the file and sends it.
MONTAGE OF PETER'S WAR PERCEPTION
A/ Peter visits the Nagasaki Peace Garden.
B/ Peter visits the Nagasaki Hypocenter Park.
C/ Peter visits the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum.
END MONTAGE
EXT. NAGASAKI TRAMWAY - DAY
Peter is inside an old tram car, watching the street scene. A mail notification. We see: "At Jimmy's Kitchen...after AIPPI reception..."
PETER (V.O.)
A convenient place to gather...
Peter types: "Thank you." and touches "Send".
EXT. MONUMENT BUILDING - DAY
Peter observes a building column. We see the inscription on it: "Hong Kong & Shanghai Nagasaki Branch". Peter is amazed and takes a selfie underneath it.
PETER (V.O.)
Hongkongers and Shanghaineses
weren't slow to develop a new
market here when the time was ripe.
MONTAGE OF PETER'S PERCEPTION TRADE WAR, SACRIFICE, RIOTS & MONEY POWER
A/ Peter reads about the Trade War development between US and China.
B/ Peter reads about the late George Bush's 58 combat missions, being shot down and survived.
C/ Peter watches video clips about the domestic violence in France.
D/ Peter watches a video clip about a Chinese entrepreneur giving France vacation to 6,500 of his best people to celebrate 20th anniversary of his company, costing about 13 million Euros.
E/ Peter checks a mail from the Dean of Harvard Kennedy School and reads about his macroeconomic background.
END MONTAGE
INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT
A cosy place. Peter, being accompanied by LADY#2 (50s) and GENTLEMAN#1(50s), arrives and sits in a corner.
GENTLEMAN#1
(Looking around)
A pretty nice place...
PETER
Yes. Lighting should be any
restaurant's number 1 concern...
(To Lady #2 )
Great choice!
Lady#2 smiles sweetly. Peter and Gentleman#1 chat and chat.
PETER
...My vision now is to establish
an IP-based capital market in
the Greater Bay Area...
Gentleman#1 and Lady#2 digest Peter's thought.
PETER (Cont'd)
My goal is to make use of the
market to solve economic and
political problems.
A pause.
PETER (Cont'd)
In trade war situations, we can
save the country by contributing
money rather than sacrificing our
lives.
Gentleman#1 and Lady#2 get the message and react enthusiastically.
PETER (Cont'd)
We use the IP charge as the
catalyst to establish the IP-backed
Capital market...Historically
speaking, new things first happened
in Hong Kong... and this time, at
this Kitchen...
GENTLEMAN#1 & LADY#2
Yes! Yes! Yes!
We hear laughter and glass clinking sounds.
INT. CONFERENCE HALL - DAY
GENTLEMAN#2 (60s) greets Peter who is being led to a seat. Peter chooses to sit with Gentleman#2 and they chat.
GENTLEMAN#2
...Wow, that's great! If you need
any help on the organizational
front, we're more than willing to
help!
Peter nods.
INT. HALL - DAY
A big luncheon reception. GENTLEMAN#3 greets Peter.
GENTLEMAN#3
The impact of your initiative that
began years ago is now visibly
felt!
Peter smiles.
PETER
As IP Trading is gathering its
momentum, I wish to move on
with a new vision...
Gentleman#3 listens actively and his eyes become wide open. GENTLEMAN#4 who also approaches Peter overhears it.
PETER
(To Gentleman#4)
What do you think as an
academic?
GENTLEMAN#4
(Thinking)
May I have a selfie with
you first?
And they take photos together happily.
PETER (V.O.)
Harvard joins scholarship, education and practice to
serve the public good.
INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Classy. Peter dines with LADIES and GENTLEMEN with either black eyes or blue eyes. LADY#2 reacts to Peter's passionate chat.
LADY#2
You're always full of ideas!
The steps to be taken must
be realistic and achievable
though...
Peter nods.
PETER
I'm glad to see that your
delegation to join the Forum
is stronger than ever...
INT - CONFERENCE HALL - DAY
GENTLEMAN#5 greets Peter and they exchange name cards.
PETER
I see. You're the Secretary
General. What I want to establish
in the Greater Bay Area is...
GENTLEMAN#5
The direction you've talked about
is exactly what Guangzhou would
like to go.
PETER
(Nodding)
I've been to your Area and
interacted with your Bureau
Chief and the Chief Economist.
GENTLEMAN#5
Let's keep in touch!
He then scans a QR code on Peter's phone.
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY
Crowded. Dim Sums on the table. Peter interacts with GENTLEMAN#6 (50s).
PETER
Your presentation about IP
and Trade was epic. It's
illustrative too.
GENTLEMAN#6
It all began with the suggestion
of a little known person...
PETER (V.O.)
That's encouraging.
A pause.
PETER
I'm trying to link up IP with
Trade and Finance...
PETER (V.O.)
Yes. That's in the macro-
economics context.
Gentleman#6 thinks deeply.
INT. EXHIBITION AREA - DAY
GENTLEMAN#7 (60s) approaches and talks to Peter. Peter listens and remarks.
GENTLEMAN#7
(Eyes wide open)
...Wow! That's what we would
like to do too!
PETER
I'm borrowing the "Hong Kong
Shanghai ... model" to establish
a Hong Kong-Shanghai IP-backed
capital market...
They continue to engage energetically. It looks a deal is done.
INT. BOOTH AREA - DAY
GENTLEMAN#8 (50s) mans it. Peter approaches him.
PETER
At dinner yesterday, you didn't
talk much. What do you think
about my new vision?
GENTLEMAN#8 speaks, and Peter listens very carefully.
PETER
(Nodding)
Many thanks for your honest
opinions. I believe the obstacles
are inter-related. Let me attempt
to resolve them one by one!
He pads Gentleman#8's shoulder and leaves.
INT. CONFERENCE HALL - DAY
Dotted with audience. Peter speaks on stage as colourful and graphic slides are shown. Peter and we see from stage someone holding a "Time's Up" sign at a passageway.
Panel discussion. In response to the Chair's question, Peter answers. Photo session.
PETER (V.O.)
I was one of the originators
of the Forum. It has actually
gone right. The platform
enables me to communicate
my strategy. My new vision
might go right again!
Supporters at the floor want to take photos with Peter. LADY#3 (30s) waits patiently for her turn.
PETER
(To LADY#3)
I didn't expect to see you
here. I was wondering if something had gone wrong.
Lady#3 smiles.
PETER (Cont'd)
Let's talk over dinner...
They leave the venue together happily.
FADE OUT. The End