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A War-time Hero

Peter Kam Fai Cheung SBS

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

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©2017 BY PETER KAM FAI CHEUNG. PROUDLY CREATED WITH WIX.COM

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