A Day of Hope

FADE IN

2. Act 1 

4. INT. BEDROOM - 22:15 (Yesterday)

6. Working on a laptop, PETER sees an incoming mesasge in the family's chat group.

8. PETER (V.O): It's from my elder son directing to my elder daughter living in Seoul.

10. Reading: All good? Martial law has been declared...

12. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): What's happening in Seoul?

14. Reading: No idea what's happening. I hear non-stop helicopter sounds.

16. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): The military are doing surveillance.

17. 
    

18. Peter types his remark: Don't go out.

20. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): But my wife and I are flying out to Seoul in two days...

22. Pausing.

24. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): How long would the martial law period last this time?

26. Act 2  

28. FLASHBACK

30. EXT. ROADS, MANILA - DAY (1980)

32. The sun shines brightly. Inside a coach, Peter (26) and Sharon (25) enjoy the sights.

34. PETER (V.O): It's my first travel overseas. How nice is the Philippines!

36. The tour guide, JOHN (20s), speaks to the tour GROUP with a mic at the front.

38. JOHN: Just a reminder. The Philippinese is still under martial law...It began in 1972...

40. John gets the group's full attention.

42. PETER (V.O): What does that mean for us?

44. JOHN (Cont'd): The military has the full authority to maintain order.

46. PETER: But I observe the locals going about their day...Is it really as strict as it sounds?

48. JOHN: It depends. In many places like tourist areas, life goes on normally. Just stay aware.

50. Peter looks subdued.

52. END FLASHBACK

54. PETER (V.O): I just hope that life in South Korea would be like that especially for the next few days.

56. Having edited a draft in his laptop, Peter publishes it.

58. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): While I'm in South Korea, I won't write or publish anything.

60. INT. STUDY - 11:45

62. Having done his streaks in the Dulingo app, Peter checks a link in the family chat group.

64. PETER (V.O): It's from my wife...South Korea martial law lifted? I daredn't hope that it'd finish in just six hours!

66. A smile breaking on his face.

68. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): For selfish and family reasons, I love it!

70. Pausing.

72. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): We can check in our flights soon.

74. INT. DINING ROOM - 20:00

75. 
    

76. While having dinner, Peter and his WIFE follow the TV news on South Korea.

77. 
    

78. PETER: I can't shake off my thoughts about the martial law situation. I wonder what were the motives.

80. WIFE: Declaring martial laws is a desperate move in a political crisis.

81. 
    

82. PETER: Some may see the declaration as an opportunity to consolidate and seize power in an easy way.

83. 
    

84. WIFE: Yes, power, plain and simple. But power corrupts.

85. 
    

86. Pausing.

87. 
    

88. WIFE (Cont'd): It isn't uncommon for heads of states to grant immunities to connected people before leaving offices.

89. 
    

90. PETER: They know they're overlapping but don't care.

91. 
    

92. WIFE: They play their own rules. Once they're in power, they do what they can to stay there. No matter the cost.

93. 
    

94. PETER: It feels like we're stuck in a loop. Every generation faces similar challenges.

95. 
    

96. WIFE: Let's hope that what happened in South Korea leads to something better for the future.

97. 
    

98. PETER: Yes, disappointment should be finite, hope infinite.

99. 
    

100. Act 3

102. INT. BEDROOM - 21:30

104. Peter inserts an AI drawing entitled: "A Day of Hope..." to a draft in his laptop.

106. PETER (V.O): Despite challenges, it's possible there's a brighter future ahead.

108. Thinking.

110. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Every day has a new beginning and hope can be renewed daily.

112.  Reflecting.

114. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): At the end of the day, in addition to hope, I need the strength to hold on until things get better.

116. FADE OUT

118. THE END