FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. SLEEPING ROOM - NIGHT
Taking off his eye mask, PETER checks the time.
PETER (V.O.): Oh, it's only sometime after 3.am. I only need to wake up by 7.am to attend the National Day reception.
Peter goes back to sleep.
INT. SLEEPING ROOM - DAY
Peter wakes up again.
PETER (V.O.): Five minutes before time. Good.
EXT. WANCHAI AREA - DAY
Peter in suit walks along a pedestrian walkway.
PETER (V.O.): Wow, there're so many police officers to secure safe passage for people like me.
INT. CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE - DAY
Entering the Centre, Peter sees uniformed staff greeting guests. Staff#1 approaches Peter.
PETER: I'm going to the reception.
STAFF#1: Do you have a badge?
Finding the badge and wearing it, the staff gestures Peter to proceed.
PETER (V.O.): I'm good.
Following directions, the lonely Peter enters a big room with dozens of staff.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): This verification process is similar to that of a polling station.
STAFF#2: Any line/table will do.
Peter approaches staff at line C.
PETER: My name is Peter Cheung.
STAFF#3: I can see from your badge.
Staff#3 marks against Peter's name on a list.
Act 2
INT. RECEPTION FOYER - DAY
Entering, Peter observes the environment.
PETER (V.O.): Since I began private practice in 2017, I haven't joined such functions. I'm joining again as there's nowhere I can go during the holidays. My flights were all cancelled.
INT. GRAND HALL - DAY
Entering, Peter see hundreds of sitting guests.
PETER (V.O.): I thought I was early...
STAFF#4: You might be able to find a vacant seat by the side.
Walking from the middle to the side, Peter sees a 4-person table with a MAN and a WOMAN.
PETER: Can I sit here?
The man and the woman reacts as Peter is transparent.
PETER (V.O.): So unfriendly...
Peter walks away and finds another table with just one GENTLEMAN (61).
PETER: Excuse me, can I sit here?
GENTLEMAN: By all means.
Seated, Peter looks around.
PETER (V.O.): Some familiar faces at distant tables. That's Donald, I had a JP visit with him nearly 10 years ago. That's Wesley, we used to raise questions in knowledge-sharing sessions among legal service departments.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But this year's setting is different. Food and souvenirs are put on the table, and we're physically distanced.
The gentleman clears his throat.
PETER: You've arrived early?
GENTLEMAN: I meant to see the flag raising but I missed that.
PETER: What do you do?
Pausing.
GENTLEMAN: I work in the Maritime Museum.
PETER: You're a curator. I visited the Museum when it was in Stanley.
GENTLEMAN: I came here in 2010 to relocate it.
PETER: I see.
They chat and chat until the ANCHORS on stage make announcements. The rituals follow: the playing of the national anthem, the CE doing her speech...
After capturing a few photos, Peter recalls something.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Yes, today's the Mid-Autumn Festival as well.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd):I chose the festival as my first wedding date.
Peter is in thoughts until the rituals end.
Act 3
INT. GRAND HALL - DAY
GENTLEMAN: Peter, I've wondered if I should join this function as I'm not particularly patriotic. It turns out that I've the most engaging exchange with you about the past, the present, and what to expect in future.
Peter smiles.
PETER: I'll pay a visit to your Museum before long, Richard.
They part.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I had low anchorage about the function. It's definitely more than a breakfast gathering.
INT. FOYER - DAY
Seeing red flags on a table, Peter finds an artistic angle and takes a photo, not knowing that a LADY (40) was watching him from behind.
LADY: I'll follow your example and take one like that.
Smiling, Peter leaves her.
PETER (V.O.): It's good that someone appreciates my artistic choice. I've a good song on the Mid-Autumn Festival too.
INT. SLEEPING ROOM - NIGHT
Peter turns off the light.
PETER (V.O.): Today's a special day.
FADE OUT.
THE END
A Special Day
Updated: Oct 2, 2020
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