Chance Encounters

1. FADE IN

2. 
   

3. Act 1

4. 
   

5. INT. STUDY - 07:00

6. 
   

7. PETER is examining a bundle of papers.

8. 
   

9. PETER (V.O.): I've a mediation to do in the afternoon.

10. 
    

11. Peter researches with his mobile from time to time.

12. 
    

13. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Checking the current law enhances my negotiation capacity.

14. 
    

15. Checking.

16. 
    

17. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): This time, I'm acting for the plaintiff.

18. 
    

19. Pausing.

20. 
    

21. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): And Reuvena of my instructing solicitors will be assisting me.

22. 
    

23. Pausing.

24. 
    

25. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Knowing our names for years, we'll meet face-to-face for the first time.

26. 
    

27. Act 2

28. 
    

29. INT. LIFT - 13:00

30. 
    

31. Dressed in a suit, Peter stands at the back of it and has his eyes on his mobile. Then, a WOMAN enters from a floor.

32. 
    

33. PETER (V.O.): Oh, we haven't bumped into each other for months.

34. 
    

35. Pausing.

36. 
    

37. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): We used to have some small talks...

38. 
    

39. Exiting the lift, the woman holds the door for Peter.

40. 
    

41. PETER: Thanks.

42. 
    

43. PETER (V.O): This is what she'd always do for me. So very kind.

44. 
    

45. INT. MEDIATION CENTRE - 14:15

46. 
    

47. Peter appears with REUVENA.

48. 
    

49. PETER (V.O): Although we've just met for minutes, we seem like old friends.

50. 
    

51. The woman MEDIATOR greets them.

52. 
    

53. PETER (V.O): While waiting for Reuvena in the lift lobby, I saw her taking the lift up.

54. 
    

55. Pausing.

56. 
    

57. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I've read her CV. She's junior to me but has done lots of mediations.

58. 
    

59. While the mediator goes back and forth, negotiating between the two sides, Reuvena chats with Peter.

60. 
    

61. REUVENA: Johnny observes that you can read speedily...

63. PETER: I always act timely.
    

64. 
    

65. At 16:30, Peter and Reuvena exit.

66. 
    

67. PETER: We don't want our client to pay extra.

68. 
    

69. EXT. SHEUNG WAN - CONTINUOUS

70. 
    

71. Pedestrian walkway. Accompanied by Reuvena, Peter walks and types on screen.

72. 
    

73. PETER: I need to let Johnny know what to follow up timely.

74. 
    

75. REUVENA: Our office has great harbour view...

76. 
    

77. PETER: But I can't go up to your office for professional reasons.

78. 
    

79. INT. LIFT - 18:00

80. 
    

81. As principal WONG steps inside, she is joined by Peter.

82. 
    

83. PETER: Hi Principal Wong! Good to see you!

84. 
    

85. WONG: Hi!
    

86. 
    

87. PETER: I've turned 70.

88. 
    

89. WONG: Is it? You don't look like it.

90. 
    

91. PETER: My wife has retired too.

92. 
    

93. WONG: I know.

94. 
    

95. As Peter looks puzzled, Wong elaborates.

96. 
    

97. WONG (Cont'd): I've seen you two walking the dog around the neighbourhood.

98. 
    

99. PETER (V.O): We're often more interconnected and observed in our daily lives than we realize.

100. 
     

101. PETER: As empty nesters, a pet is particularly good for us.

102. 
     

103. Act 3

104. 
     

105. INT. STUDY - 22:00

106. 
     

107. Peter inserts an AI drawing entitled "Chance Encounters ..." to a draft.

108. 
     

109. PETER (V.O): I can connect with others in small, everyday moments, even if we don't interact that much.

110. 
     

111. Pausing.

112. 
     

113. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): The types of encounters I've can range from casual acquaintances to professional ones.

114. 
     

115. Reflecting.

116. 
     

117. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I now know that even mundane interactions can take on significance and leave an impression.

118. 
     

119. FADE OUT

120. 
     

121. THE END