FADE IN.
Act 1
EXT - STUDY - DAY
Having sent a mail with 10 attachments, PETER turns on the TV.
PETER (V.O): Time to have a short break.
On TV screen, SOMEONE dressing the US flag and riding their motor toys on sand dunes are being interviewed.
SOMEONE#1 (On Screen): We hire him as a businessman, not a politician...
PETER: (V.O.): Asserting the boss role is good, as those governing are civil servants.
SOMEONE#2 (On Screen): He's against lazy people...
PETER: (V.O.): They don't like being taxed for their diligence.
SOMEONE#3: Having worked hard, we'd spend $15,000-$20,000 on our toys.
PETER (V.O.): I spent a lot on my toys too.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Same for my friend in Canada.
Act 2
FLASHBACK
EXT - ROADS IN VICTORIA, CANADA - DAY (Oct 2019)
FRIEND (64) is driving a motorcycle. Peter rides on the back. They're having a joyride.
PETER (V.O.): We deserve the wonderful moment. We've worked hard for decades.
END FLASHBACK
Another TV news catches Peter's attention.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Tax hike as part of an election engineering?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Tax is something that even Albert Einstein finds it hard to understand.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I was a boy, I wondered why government would provide for roads and hospitals.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If I had 5 cents, I would buy a lychee to eat. Government seemed rich and kind.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Upon investigation, I learnt that government got money from tax.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But government seemed not interested in me. I couldn't understand it.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I knew that when I sat on my Dad's lap, he didn't need pay my fare.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Later, I had to pay children's fare. Bus and ferry services weren't free.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Going to cinemas by myself, there weren't any children's tickets. I paid the full price.
FLASHBACK
INT. BOX OFFICE - DAY (1964)
Paying for a ticket, PETER (10) tenders two 10-cent coins.
PETER (V.O.): The 5:30 show is all that I can afford. The front-stall ticket is 20 cents.
Getting the ticket, Peter reads the handwritten seat number. Then, he reads some small prints.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Fare: 18 cents. Tax: 2 cents?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh! I've paid tax! I'm also a taxpayer.
RETURN TO PRESENT
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I was so pleased that I wasn't a total free rider.
Act 3
INT. STUDIES - CONTINUOUS
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I don't mind paying tax for my cars as I use the roads. I pay other taxes as I visit families clinics occasionally.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But I do mind paying taxes to support people who are professionally involved in politics.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Some of them just work for themselves. They're parasites, worse than free riders.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Tax payers want visible and tangible public values, not words or shows.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): There's always economic inequality, but I believe laziness is one main factor.
Pausing.
'
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Having just completed and sent some legal training materials, I'm going to take instructions from a client in prison.
Peter turns off the TV.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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