FADE IN:
INT. SLEEPING ROOM - DAY
Waking up, PETER checks his phone.
PETER (V.O.)
A friend's conference invitation.
I might be available tomorrow.
Peter taps the "Register" key and we see "Registration closed." In response to the message, Peter keys "Thank You."
INT. SWIMMING POOL - DAY
Peter swims lap after lap, faster than other elderly swimmers.
PETER (V.O.)
Had I registered for the conference
yesterday, I won' t be swimming
here now.
INT - GOLDEN BAUHINIA RESTAURANT - DAY
Peter arrives at a round table. GENTLEMEN stand up to welcome him and then sit freely.
GENTLEMAN#1
We're having a conference.
PETER (V.O.)
I believe so. I wanted to enrol,
but registration was closed.
GENTLEMAN#2
You can join anytime!
Gentleman#2 presents his name card to Peter.
PETER
So I'll say to the registration
staff that I know you and can
get in?
Gentleman# 2 nods. Peter pockets the name card.
GENTLEMAN#2
Incidentally, I want to register
the trade mark of my institution
in mainland China. Would you
recommend one?
Peter nods and keys his smart phone.
A beat.
A phone notification.
PETER
(To Gentleman#2)
My friend welcomes that.
Got an eye contact, GENTLEMAN#3 speaks to Peter.
GENTLEMAN#3
(Earnestly)
Would you give an IP talk
to HKUST students?
Peter nods.
INT. REGISTRATION DESK - DAY
Being accompanied by Gentleman#2, Peter gets a conference registration badge from the registration STAFF.
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
Peter sits comfortably among the AUDIENCE. Standing behind the podium on stage, speakers speak or read. A panel discussion then follows.
PETER (V.O.)
The theme is on public-
private partnership at a
political-economic level.
Funding infrastructural
projects not knowing
when, if at all, to get returns
on investment is really
tricky.
The panelists discuss among themselves.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Yes, in weak or new markets,
Government can buy down
the risk! That should be one
of the ways to eliminate the
obstacle of my dream to
establish an IP-based capital
market in the Greater Bay
Area.
A question from the floor.
POSER
Would the panel talk about the
capital market, riding on
blockchain technology...and
security token offerings...
PETER (V.O.)
That's what I talked about in
the IP context here last month!
Anyway, it's good to know the
private sector's concerns.
INT- CHAMBERS - EVENING
Peter reads piles of papers.
PETER (V.O.)
My original plan was just to
engage in a lunch before
coming back. Circumstances
were such that I helped connect
partnerships and got an
inspiration in a non-IP context.
EXT. TRAIN CAR - NIGHT
Peter checks his phone messages. He keys: "The topic of my talk to HKUST students is"Entrepreneurship & IP", and sends. He then checks another inbox message.
PETER (V.O.)
About the trade mark
registration matter, it's good
to know my friends have
got connected!
Checking a station name, Peter rushes out as passengers get in.
FADE OUT. The End