FADE IN.
INT. SITTING ROOM - DAY
PETER's WIFE and their YOUNGER DAUGHTER are discussing.
PETER
Which university is your
number one priority?
YOUNGER DAUGHTER
Bournemouth.
PETER
I've never heard of it.
What'd you study?
DAUGHTER
Animation.
FLASHBACK
INT. SITTING ROOM - DAY (2014)
Peter's wife and their ELDER DAUGHTER are discussing.
WIFE
New Castle has offered
a place to your daughter
to study town planning.
Since you've retired, you
may consider accompany
your daughter for a while.
Peter nods.
CARD - A MONTH LATER
ELDER DAUGHTER
Chinese U has accepted
me. A dream come true.
I'm not going to New
Castle.
PETER
Congratulations!
FLASHBACK UPON FLASHBACK
INT. KINDERGARTEN HALL - DAY (2002)
Peter (48) wife and elder daughter (6) are watching a show.
PETER
Why doesn't she join
her class performance?
WIFE
She chose not to.
Peter looks bewildered.
END FLASHBACK UPON FLASHBACK
Peter talks to her elder daughter.
PETER
Remember when you
were at Kindergarten,
you didn't join the
graduation show. Why?
ELDER DAUGHTER
Well, I thought the show
was meaningless...
Peter looks enlightened.
PETER (V.O.)
It's only now that I know
she has independent
thinking when young.
It was hard for her to
get screened in in the
University selection
interview.
RETURN TO PRESENT
Peter looks at her Younger daughter.
PETER (V.O.)
Traditional universities
would not offer such a
subject.
FLASHBACK
INT. SLEEPING ROOM - DAY (2017)
Peter's wife is talking to Peter.
WIFE
Our younger daughter is
very unhappy in school.
PETER
Why?
WIFE
She has become the only
student in Art. Both the
School and the teacher
are not enthusiastic on
the subject.
PETER
She is distinctive in Art.
Without Art she can't be
admitted to universities.
WIFE
She wants to study
overseas, either UK or
Japan. Although she
speaks Japanese, she
prefers UK - for better
prospects.
PETER
Good thinking!
END FLASHBACK
INT- HOTEL, OXFORDSHIRE - DAY
Peter, his wife and younger daughter are having breakfast. People notices the younger daughter's white jacket with words.
PETER
Leavers 2019! From
Roedean?
Younger daughter nods.
PETER (V.O.)
I've observed that she's
more confident than
before, more willing to
speak up. Learning
from one's peers is
also important.
EXT. BOURNEMOUTH SEASIDE- DUSK
Beautiful long beaches. Peter, his wife and younger daughter look refreshed and are taking photos.
PETER
I don't know Bournemouth
is this beautiful!
INT. HALL OF RESIDENCE - NIGHT
As Peter, his wife and younger daughter come out of a room, a GIRL (19) at the corridor can't wait to meet and greet the younger daughter.
GIRL
We've got connected
via Facebook. I know
you're from Hong Kong
I'm from Bulgaria.
The younger daughter smiles.
GIRL (Cont'd)
Have you checked out
the boy who will be
occupying the room
between ours?
The younger daughter shakes her head sideways.
GIRL (Cont'd)
(Excited)
I've checked! He's
really cool!
Looking at his wife, Peter can't help raise his eyebrows.
GIRL (Cont'd) .
Are you going to the
party tonight?
As the younger daughter signifies no, they part.
WIFE
Isn't this a girls dorm?
PETER
Unlike Roedean, this's
a university!
INT. HOTEL, BOURNEMOUTH - NIGHT
Peter and his wife chat.
WIFE
I've already fixed my
hotel accommodation
in Fukuoka.
PETER
Yes, our elder daughter
will begin her Japanese
studies there in October...
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)
From October, all our
children will be living away
from us...and from Hong
Kong...Not bad!
FADE OUT.
THE END