FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - 08:30
As PETER wakes up, we hear wind sounds from the outside.
PETER (V.O.): I dreamt I had parked my silver coupe in the Wan Chai office. I've retired for over 8 years.
Peter shakes his head sideways.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): For my 40 years of civil service, I struggled and rose from the entry rank to the top.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): From policy to administration, I went through a lot.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I was, and still am, confident that I can resolve any problems practically and creatively.
Later, his WIFE is about to wake up.
PETER: As the storm #8 signal is still up, I'm going to buy breakfast rather than to let the maid do it.
Act 2
INT. MALL - 10:30
McDonalds'. Peter sees and hears a young STAFF saying "Hi".
PETER (V.O.): I began working part-time at age 15.
Having done his orders at the CASHIER, Peter waits among the crowd.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Business is particular good on a typhoon day.
We hear the staff saying "Hi" to CUSTOMERS again.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): He sounds mechanical. But he's very dutiful.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I love that. I was very dutiful too.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I was working as hotel waiter, I learned to serve customers with style.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): During the summer holidays of 1970, I worked from 11am-11pm with two monthly holidays.
FLASHBACK
EXT. CASTLE PEAK HOTEL - SUMMER (1970)
A stormy morning. At a closed bar corner of an open-air sea view cafe, Peter is reading a book.
PETER (V.O.): I just want to study before a day's work.
Later, we see Mr YIP (60s) inspecting the bar, incidentally spotting Peter.
PETER: Good morning, Mr Yip.
Smiling a little, Mr Yip continues to inspect other spots.
PETER (V.O.): Mr Yip is a dutiful Hotel Manager. He was a retired civil servant.
A fortnight later at the CASHIER, Peter is getting paid. Mr Yip is around.
MR YIP: Fai Chai (輝仔), you're so hardworking, let me tip you 20 dollars.
Mr Yip takes out two $10 notes from his own pocket.
PETER (Bowing): Thank you very much Mr Yip! Thank you very much Mr Yip!
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My monthly wages was just HK$150. And HK$20 means 4 days or 48 hours of work.
As Peter gets his takeaways, we hear the young staff saying "Hi" again.
INT. STUDY - 17:15
Peter sees a WhatsApp message on his smart phone.
PETER (V.O.) : Oh, it's from my wife.
Reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My 1/2 share of our younger children's university and overseas expenses for the past year amounts to HK$500,000.
Having typed on his smart phone, Peter sees a quick response: You can reimburse me by installments.
INT. SITTING ROOM - 22:00
Peter and his wife are skyping with their elder DAUGHTER and SON on screen
WIFE (To daughter and then son): The typhoon has prevented me from posting the stuff to you today! Let me have your payment invoices in good time!
.Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - 23:00
Peter goes to bed.
PETER (V.O.): Adversity is like a typhoon. It tears away from us what can be torn and let us see who we really are.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's better to bend with the wind to let go than to break.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.): Life isn't about waiting for the typhoon to pass. It's about how we can be resilient and adaptive to adversity.
It's quiet outside. Peter sleeps.
THE END
FADE OUT
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