FADE IN:
EXT. HILLSIDE TOMBS - DAY
FAMILY MEMBERS present offerings at three old tombs. PETER checks his phone and sees a message: "Coming now" at 11:53". Peter types "OK" and touches "Send".
FLASHBACK
INT. STUDY - DAY
Working on his computer, Peter checks a message and we see: "What time are we leaving?" Peter types: "Around 10 o'clock." and touches "Send."
PETER (V.O.)
My lawyer son must have
a long day yesterday. But
he always joins.
INT. SLEEPING ROOM - DAY
Peter is on the move as his wife rolls over in bed.
WIFE
(Sleepily)
Are you heading off now?
PETER
You've had little sleep for
the past couple of days.
It isn't necessary for you
to go.
Peter leaves her softly.
EXT. ROAD - DAY
As Peter pulls in an 8-seater car by the roadside, his SON appears and gets in. Peter drives off.
A beat.
Peter's son checks his phone message.
SON
They say they're ready.
PETER
Good. We're arriving soon.
FLASHBACK
EXT. FOOTPATH - DAY (Ching Ming Festival, 1963)
A fresh and clear day. Green paddy fields separated by footpaths. In front of a procession of MEN and WOMEN, BOYS and GIRLS are Peter (8) and a BLACK DOG.
PETER (V.O.)
We're all very exited to go.
Our grandmas, dad, mum,
uncles and aunties, my sister
and brothers, and all our
cousins.
A beat.
Peter sees a stream and stops over to watch the tiny living things in the water. The black dog runs back and forth the procession.
EXT. TOMB - DAY
A new tomb by the hillside with a panoramic view over the paddies.
MONTAGE OF PETER'S TOMB-SWEEPING FEELINGS
A/ EXT. TOMBS - DAY (1969)
On the right of the original tomb, there is another new tomb.
PETER (V.O.)
That's my third grandma's.
I only saw my first grandma
with my grandpa in a photo.
.
B/ EXT. TOMBS - DAY (1972)
On the left of the original tomb, there is another new tomb.
PETER (V.O.)
That's my second and
maternal grandma's.
She dedicated her
whole life for the
family. My grandpa
should have treat her
better.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
In the end, my grandpa
was surrounded by his
wives in the next world.
C/ EXT. TOMBS - DAY (1980s-2000s)
No more paddy fields. Peter and others, all look older or more mature, arrive in cars. Some NEW FACES.
END MONTAGE
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
I'm glad that my wife
makes an effort to join
although she's pretty
late. It's my family's
good tradition.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
And now I've become
the eldest surviving
member of the male
line.
Peter sees some cracks around the old tombs and takes pictures of them.
PETER
I'll fix them myself when
we come in Autumn.
As family members begin to pack, Peter stares at the old tombs.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
I miss my family members,
and those I care, including
our black dog: Little Bear
(熊仔), who have gone to
the next world before me!
Slowly, Peter and his BROTHERS escort their old Mum down a hillside path.
.
FADE OUT. The End