FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. SLEEPING ROOM - DAY
Waking up, PETER checks the time of a table clock.
PETER (V.O.): It isn't even 06:00.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I woke up early for two days in a row and my biological clock takes it as my new routine. But I'm breaking it from today.
Then a DVD on a side table catches Peter's attention.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.): Oh, isn't it the same DVD I bought yesterday? Now, I've two copies.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.): Was I wrong to buy the same DVD again?
Lying down in bed again, Peter puts on his eye mask.
Act 2
INT. SLEEPING ROOM - CONTINOUS
FLASHBACK
INT. DVD STORE - NIGHT
Peter checks the images and titles on DVD covers. Having two in his hand, he picks up a third one.
PETER (V.O.): It's a film by Roman Polanski. He's a brand himself, although I've never heard about this film. Perhaps, it belongs to the minority culture.
Hand on cheek.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I think I've seen the DVD cover before. Yes, I was in HMV months before its closing. Did I buy it on the last occasion?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): HMV used to have a very rich repertoire of great movies. I was able to collect the DVD-format movies I saw and loved when I was young.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If it was still open, I might be able to buy the DVD-format of Around The World In Eighty Days!
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But it's gone, otherwise I wouldn't be here.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I could still remember many episodes of the movie made in 1956. I wateched it when I was a kid.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I could afford to travel, I prefer to see the world firsthand.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Now, I can travel nowhere. The world isn't the same again. So I'd like to revisit the old world even with some fiction.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Should I buy this Roman Polanski film? It's for sure I haven't seen the film. But I'm not sure if I bought it already.
Pondering.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But if I don't buy it now, It might be bought by others. I can see just a copy here. What I've learned from the pandemic is that opportunity can come and go quick.
Peter sees two STAFF (20s) at the cashier.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): This store maintains at least two jobs. I must contribute to Hong Kong's consumption demand.
Peter pays for the DVDs.
END FLASHBACK.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): To buy something takes a few seconds. To see a film takes an hour and a half at least.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I don't know how many DVDs that I bought are still unpacked.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): What is unexpected is that the earlier-bought one has been right before my eyes for at least a year, but I haven't noticed!
Act 3
INT. SLEEPING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
In bed, Peter's leg touches KAJI's body a little.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I knew there was the possibility that I did buy it.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But the circumstances including my motivation were different.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.): What hasn't changed though is my value, as reflected by my buying habit. I was and have been attracted by the same film.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And it's through our habitual acts or routines that lead to our success due to the compounding effect.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I feel good after all.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): So, nothing is wrong.
Peter sleeps again.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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