The Next World

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

#TheNextWorld