Buoys

1. FADE IN

2. 
   

3. Act 1

5. INT. BEDROOM - 04:45

7. Soft blue light washes over high-rises. PETER's Nokia glows with the Duolingo owl icon.

8. 
   

9. PETER (V.O.): I didn't bring this Nokia with me on my recent 16-day trip, which was mainly focused on visiting Niigata, Japan.

10. 
    

11.  Peter taps the screen diligently. Soon, a streak counter clicks to 451 days. Peter grabs an Xperia.

12. 
    

13.  PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I also left my Xperia behind. I kept up my Duolingo streaks on my Redmi by switching accounts.

14. 
    

15. Tapping the screen, Peter responds to questions in Japanese.

16. 
    

17. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): While travelling in Japan, I make an effort to learn and practise the language.

18. 
    

19. Soon, a streak counter clicks to 442 days.

20. 
    

21. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've three daily routines in Hong Kong, learning languages, swimming, and screenwriting.

22. 
    

23. Pausing.

24. 
    

25. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): While travelling, I won't write screenplays, but I'll maintain my streaks and aim to swim whenever possible.

26. 
    

27. Act 2

28. 
    

29. EXT. GOLDEN BAY - 16: 30

30. 
    

31. Sunlight glitters on the water. A LIFEGUARD on a raft dots the calm surface at the centre of the designated swimming area, marked by orange buoys.

32. 
    

33. PETER (V.O.): I'd swim past the lifeguard, heading toward the outer edge.

34. 
    

35. Peter wades into the water and soon reaches a buoy at the outer edge.

36. 
    

37. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I thought my energy would be limited after travelling, but I feel I've the capacity to swim even more.

38. 
    

39. Peter swims to the buoys at a corner of the outer edge of the swimming area.

40. 
    

41. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Instead of clinging to the buoys, I'll just tread water to keep myself afloat.

42. 
    

43. Peter treads water with a steady rhythm, his legs moving in a gentle, circular motion. His arms are extended to his sides, providing balance as he keeps his head above the surface.

44. 
    

45. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But the sunlight is still strong.

46. 
    

47. Peter glances around the surroundings.

48. 
    

49. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I think the buoys at the corner can provide some relief from the glare.

50. 
    

51. Having reached the corner, Peter gribs the handles of the orange buoys.

52. 
    

53. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If I submerge myself beneath the surface, I can escape the glare even more effectively.

54. 
    

55. We follow Peter to submerge beneath the surface and see a school of fish, each about 2/3 of his palm size, dart near the base of the buoys.

56. 
    

57. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, they're unbothered by my presence.

58. 
    

59. Peter watches the fish, a smile touching his lips. Tranquil. Then, his smile fades slightly. His gaze becomes distant, looking through the water, not at it.

60. 
    

61. FLASHBACK

62. 
    

63. EXT. KAWAHARADAHONMACHI, SADO, NIIGATA - 15:00 (28 July 2025)

64. 
    

65. A beach with murky water and a scattering of orange buoys.

66. 
    

67. PETER (V.O.): This is the first time I've encountered buoys in a Japanese swimming area.

68. 
    

69. Peter wades into the water which is covered by swaying dark seaweed.

70. 
    

71. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I don't like their ribbons swirling around my legs, brushing against my skin.

72. 
    

73. Peter strokes through the water as he distances himself from the seaweed. Soon, he reaches the orange buoys.

74. 
    

75. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Let me check if the buoys are connected to shark prevention nets.

76. 
    

77. We follow Peter to submerge beneath the surface.

78. 
    

79. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, they're simply anchored in place. No nets.

80. 
    

81. Pausing.

82. 
    

83. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Nothing between me and...whatever.

84. 
    

85.  Peter glances around.

86. 
    

87. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): On a hot, sunny summer day, I'm the only swimmer in the water.

88. 
    

89. We hear a publc annoucement in Japanese.

90. 
    

91. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I can see no lifeguards. And I couldn't grasp the message.

92. 
    

93. Pure, primal fear flashes across Peter's face.

94. 
    

95. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I can tell that swimming here without any lifesaving facilities, is entirely at my own risk.

96. 
    

97. Peter treads back to the shore hastily.

98. 
    

99. RETURN TO PRESENT

100. 
     

101. Act 3

102. 
     

103. INT. BEDROOM - 22:00

105. Peter uploads an image of the Golden Bay to a draft on his laptop.

106. 
     

107. PETER (V.O.): Golden Bay's buoys provide functional safety. Sado's buoys provide the illusion of safety.

109. Thinking.

110. 
     

111. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd):  In the end, I choose my buoys - to embrace the Hong Kong nets and routines.

112. 
     

113. Reflecting.

114. 
     

115. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Peace is found not in eliminating danger, but in cultivating spaces (and relationships) where fear can't thrive.

116. 
     

117. FADE OUT

118. 
     

119. END