FADE IN.
INT. CLUBHOUSE - DAY
PETER is studying a newspapers' back-page info-graphics.
PETER (V.O.)
Hong Kong's global
ranking is 13. How
do they rank advanced
cities?
Peter examines the small prints.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Cities that drive progress
and alter the world's
development and
economic patterns.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd)
New York is no. 1 -
a city of light. London
at no. 2 - I know the city
well. Singapore at no. 3.
Peter takes a deep breath.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd)
Isn't Singapore autocratic?
Caning to make people
change is still fairly
common.
Peter reads on.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Shenzhen is at no.4.
No. 1 in China. It's
risen to its glory through
innovative entrepreneurship. Many Hongkongers are
destructive and want
to burn down Hong
Kong. So sick.
Having taken a photo of the small prints, Peter leaves.
INT. STUDY - DAY
Working behind a computer, Peter is thinking. He takes out his phone to study a photo's small prints again.
PETER (V.O.)
Which city is at no.5?
It's San Jose. Although
I've never been there,
I heard about the city
from a 1968 song.
Peter taps his phone a few times, we hear an upbeat tune and a female singing:"Do you know the way to San Jose?..."
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
I was 14 when I first
heard it. I still like the
song. I hope I can
compose one as good
as it.
Taking a look at a guitar by his side, Peter looks positive. He then checks the small prints on his phone screen again.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd)
At no. 6 is Tokyo. My
family will fly there
tomorrow. Japanese
are rule-abiding and
orderly.
Nodding.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
At no. 7 is San
Francisco. I was there
on business years ago...
FLASHBACK
INT. SHUNG TAK COLLEGE - NIGHT (1970)
Dim lighting. Dancing party. Dozens of YOUTH including Peter (14) are doing the Soul dance.
PETER (V.O.)
This 1967 record is
a must-play in every
dancing party in the
late 1960s.
END FLASHBACK
Having tapped his phone screen a few times, we hear introductory guitar riffs and a male singing: Are you going to San Francisco?...
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Those were the days!
Peter then taps his phone's photo icon.
PETER (V.O.)
At no. 8 is Munich.
I spoke in a conference
there years ago. I
found Germans very
professional - like
the way they make
cars.
Peter checks again.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
At no.9 is Los Angeles.
My relatives are doing
very well there!
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
At no.10 is Shanghai,
China's no. 2 advanced
city. My friend from
Shanghai has a joint
project with Shenzhen
entrepreneurs, and
invited me to speak in
Beijing days ago.
FLASHBACK
EXT. OLYMPIC VILLAGE, BEIJING - DAY
Snowing. Walking alone, Peter sees some snow-covered bicycles.
PETER (V.O.)
I believe the economic
pattern has changed -
a beautiful sight to me
though.
Peter takes a photo.
INT. HOTEL RESTAURANT - DAY
Sitting around a table for lunch are LADIES and GENTLEMEN including Peter. In their chats, we hear the mentioning of "Inner Mongolia" from time to time.
PETER
(Intervening)
I've been to Inner
Mongolia once. I
saw vast grasslands
and desserts.
Nodding heads.
GENTLEMEN
(In concert)
We know those places
well.
Later, Peter talks to his FRIEND (40s).
PETER
(Curiously)
I thought you're
collaborating with
people in Shenzhen.
FRIEND
Yes! They're Inner
Mongolians who have
gone to Shenzhen to
develop their business.
PETER (V.O.)
I see, they move to
the most advanced
city in China to hunt
their opportunities.
Peter looks lost.
END FLASHBACK
EXT. ROADS, KWUN TONG - DAY
Walking past flyover pillars, Peter sees some graffiti in black Chinese characters.
PETER (V.O.)
"It's already a sin to
understand our
motherland"? Hong
Kong has to pay a
high price for such
a mindset.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Singapore is at no.
3, and Hong Kong
at no. 13. We've been
too complacent. Hong
Kong shouldn't be a
declining city. Hong
Kong has to advance,
timely!
FADE OUT. The End