
FADE IN:
INT. STUDY - NIGHT
The TV is on. Relaxing in a sofa, PETER reads small Chinese characters on his phone screen.
PETER (V.O.)
In times of adversity, there
are many challenges as
well as opportunities.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
In times of armed conflict,
the kind of challenge is
a matter of life and death
of individuals, families and
political entities.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd) The stories from the Long
March to Modern China,
narrated from an objective
perspective, is really
fascinating.There're so
many twists and turns,
escalating conflicts.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
They bring to life some of
the names familiar to me,
in particular the military
career of Xu Xiangquian
徐向前, especially during
his 30s. And he lives up
to his name.
Peter stretches himself a little.
PETER (V.O.)
Oh, I've been reading
for a couple of hours
already! I deserve my
relaxation. I issued a
domain-name decision and have just returned
from court - the petty
stuff I deal with in peace
time.
INT. STUDY - DAY
A TV report gets Peter's attention.
PETER (V.O.)
He's running for the
presidency as expected.
Taking business risks in
peace time might be too
boring. It's natural that
one might want more
self-actualization.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
See if I can feel the
political pulse in Taipei
in the next couple of days.
Peter takes a look of his HKSAR passport and a Taiwan entry visa placed on a side table.
A beat.
Breaking news. We see at TV screen subtitles: "Earthquakes in Taiwan".
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Compared with war-time
risks, it's nothing. Our trip was fixed last July.
A beat.
Peter talks to his wife over the phone.
WIFE (O.S.)
(from phone)
Have you heard about the
earthquakes in Taiwan?...
PETER
...It's really up to us...
Okay, I'll enquire with
the airline...
Peter makes a call. We hear faint mechanical responses in Cantonese, Putonghua and English. He taps the "Speaker" icon and researches.
PETER (V.O.)
Magnitude 6.1 at 1.01pm,
I knew how it was like as
I experienced a M.6.4 one
in Tokyo years ago.
Peter spots the caption "Earthquake Today" and taps it.
PETER (V.O.)
The M.5.6 one at 12.06 pm
in Chile was not reported.
Peter reads another web report.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Aftermath earthquakes
should be between M.4
and M.5.
Peter looks easy.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Earthquakes seldom affect
Hong Kong. We don't
have hot springs either!
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
But if my wife is worried.
I'll follow her wish. We just
cancel our trip for safety's
sake.
Telephone on-hold music continuing. Peter checks the time.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Have I called a cooling-
off machine?
A notification. Peter reads the message:"As Taipei wasn't affected by the earthquake 500km away, I guess we'd have to go as scheduled."
PETER (V.O)
(Smiling)
Let's take the risk
together. Our time
is growing short. If
need be, I'll protect
you like a war-time
hero!
DAYDREAM SEQUENCE
A/ Against the power of nature, a young Peter crosses rivers, and snow-capped mountains.
B/ Peter, as a instructor, encourages the audience to do things otherwise they wouldn't do.
C/As a military commander, Peter directs his troops to fight and is saddened to see many sacrificing their lives.
D/ Reuniting with his dearest after the war, Peter is in great joy.
END DAYDREAM SEQUENCE
PETER (V.O.)
We all can stand
and find strength
in adversity. Hard
times lead to great
moments!
The smiling Peter taps the phone's red stop-call icon and begins to pack.
FADE OUT. The End