Long Overdue

FADE IN.

EXT. - ROAD - DAY

As he walks along, PETER sees words written on the pavement.

PETER (V.O.) Meaningless slogans.

Poor handwriting.

Then Peter sees torn posters and bills on sidewalk pillars.

PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd)

What're these torn

bills?

Then Peter sees an untorn one at the top of a pillar.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

Good to see that most

of them have been torn

away.

Pausing.

PETER (V.O.)

They're eye sores.

INT. MTR Station - DAY

We hear non-stop public announcements: ...All train services will close at 11.00pm today...

PETER (V.O.)

Not 10.00pm? No

public event today?

Train car's full of people. Nobody dress black.

EXT. Chater Garden, CENTRAL - DAY

Having taken some photos of Central, Peter sees two tradesmen are being supervised by a UNIFORMED STAFF to paint over written Chinese characters.

PETER (V.O.)

Oh, the cleaning job

is really what I want

to see - this's long

overdue.

INT. HONG KONG CLUB BUILDING - DAY

Passing through a boarded glass wall, a GUARD salutes Peter.

GUARD

(Smiling)

Good morning Sir.

PETER

(Smiling)

Morning!

Peter gets inside a lift.

PETER (V.O.)

So pleasant.

FLASHBACK

INT. SITTING ROOM - DAY

Sitting by his WIFE side, Peter is watching TV news. We see a masked and roped GRADUATE, walking past a podium seated with dozens of roped PERSONNEL.

PETER's WIFE

Why is she masking?

If she's anti-system,

don't attend the

ceremony!

PETER

As she's so insistent

on wearing her black

mask even in the ceremonial context,

she wants others to

know she has taken

part in illicit activities.

PETER (V.O.)

Her defiance indicates

she hasn't been caught

yet. The time will come.

END FLASHBACK

Peter goes inside a conference room.

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM

LADIES and GENTLEMEN are having a meeting. Some exchanges between Peter and OTHERS.

PETER (V.O.)

We're doing good for

Hong Kong.

INT. LAW LIBRARY - DAY

Grabbing two thick books from a shelf, Peter reads them, cross-referring at times.

PETER (V.O.)

The last time I read

the old editions of

these was in 1987.

Now I'm reading the

2019 edition.

Pausing.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

Although there're new

particulars, the concept

and structure are the

same - just like Hong

Kong's future.

INT. CLUBHOUSE - NIGHT

Peter is reading newspapers.

PETER (V.O.)

The Police said they'd

take a proactive

approach to combat

vandalism and illegal

activities? To take an

early intervention

strategy?

Peter sighs.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

They've been long

overdue! Even the

blinds can see!

INT. STUDY - NIGHT

It's 10.00 pm. Peter looks out of a window with tired eyes. PETER (V.O.)

I just want to confirm

if the alarm-like

screaming has stopped.

It's 11.00 pm. Dead silence.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

No screaming too.

FADE OUT. THE END

#LongOverdue