FADE IN:
INT. SYDNEY DOMESTIC AIRPORT - DAY
Qantas Heritage Collection. PETER examines the exhibits documenting the Qantas story. He walks towards a 1954 red partition and takes a photo near it.
PETER (V.O.)
1954 is my most important
year. I was born.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
In my teens, I felt proud
I was born in 1954 as
many of my peers were
born in 1953.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Although this original
Queensland and Northern
Territories aerial services
first began in 1920, it's my
first time flying Qantas.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
As a senior citizen, I can
afford to fly anywhere
for no particular reason.
INT. SPORTFUL GARDEN RESTAURANT - DAY
Sitting at a round table dotted with dim sum baskets and dishes, 10 LADIES (50s-60s) and GENTLEMEN (60s) are chatting.
PETER
I'm just wondering when
Hong Kong will order
curfews again.
Peter's statement alert everyone.
LADY#1
You're just too imaginative...
GENTLEMEN
(In concert)
You're too young to feel
the mood then...
GENTLEMAN#1
I was about to begin my
university study. I daren't
carry any bags in public
for fear that I might be
suspected of carrying
any bombs...
PETER (V.O.)
I was in Form 1 then. Life
was hard. I might have to
take up an apprenticeship. Fortunately, I won a scholarship,
paying half of my school fees.
GENTLEMAN#2
As a spectator of one riot then,
I was questioned by a police
officer. Having checked the
newspaper in my hand, the
Arrow brand shirt I was
wearing and my occupation
in Cable and Wireless, he
let me go.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
If I had become a car mechanic
apprentice then, I won't be
having dim sums with them
now.
LADY#2 asks for the bill.
GENTLEMAN#3
I've a VIP card entitling
to a 5% discount.
Gentleman#3 gets all the attention.
PETER
The food here is good.
GENTLEMAN#3
Subscription is free, anyone
can apply anytime!
EXT. BUS - DAY
Smart phone in hand, Peter fills in the blanks of an electronic application form.
PETER (V.O.)
Year of birth...
Peter taps the backward arrow five to six times.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Here it is - 1954.
Peter taps the year to fill in a box.
Ding! A What'sApp notification. We see a comment on a group photo.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Our civil service training
in Tsinghua University in
Summer 1996 brought
us together.
Peter adds his comment: "Over 22 years of friendship!"
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Time really flies. Have I
found out why I'm in this
world after all?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
On survival of our species,
my two wives and I
procreated two males and
and two females. We've
done our job - and they're
good.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd) On adding public value,
I dedicated my best 40
years serving the public. I designed and built Hong
Kong's intellectual property
system, among others.
I'm still giving priority in
doing public good eg
serving as a HKUST
Council Member.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
As to myself, I've been
creative relentlessly -
liberating my qualities
and recreating my own
self at the same time.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
When I was young, I
packed into my life many
missions, not knowing
when my time would come.
Sighing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
My late wife, Sharon, is
forever young.
Peter takes another look of the group photo.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Except for the ladies, we
can't deny that we're
old. It's privilege, though!
The bus stops. Peter gets off, walking in the rain.
FADE OUT. The End