FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. SITTING ROOM - DAY
Having checked her notifications, Peter's WIFE chats with Peter.
WIFE: Things are happening really fast.
Pausing.
PETER: What?
WIFE: Huawei's Meng Wanzhou is on her way back to Shenzhen, China.
Pausing.
PETER: Is that right? You've got fast news.
Pausing.
WIFE: Yes, my friends living in US and Canada forward the news to me.
Act 2
INT. SITTING ROOM - LATER
Peter checks news on his phone.
PETER (V.O.): Meng travelled to Canada in Dec 2018...
Checking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): She had been under house arrest in her multi-million dollar home in Vancouver for nearly three years...
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I took my first flight at the age of 26 in 1980, visiting Philippines as a tourist. It was most pleasurable.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I lived in London from 1986 -1987, during which I spent my Summer of 1987 in Strasbourg, France, and in Den Haag, the Netherlands. I felt the European culture.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): From 1992-2013, I travelled and worked in Geneva at least once a year. I knew the Swiss characteristics.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In fall 2003, while attending the Senior Executive Fellows Program at Harvard Kennedy School, I lived in Cambridge for a month. I engaged in the Harvard way.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In Spring 2007, I was an invited International Visitor of the US' Department of State. During my month-long visit, I stayed in Washington DC, South Carolina, New York, Indianapolis and Seattle. I saw the light.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): From 1983, I began buying property in Hong Kong. I felt the long-term burden of paying mortgages and bills.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I don't have any spare money to buy property elsewhere. More importantly, I've never thought of leaving Hong Kong for good.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I feel I've deep roots in Hong Kong. Furthermore, as a lawyer, I know how to protect myself. Outside Hong Kong, only China can protect me.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Before the pandemic, whenever my returning flight was approaching Hong Kong, I felt excited and delighted.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): There's really no place like home.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): As to my children, I've given them wings. They all have lived in foreign countries for longer periods than me.
EXT. KWUN TONG AREA - LATE AFTERNOON
Peter and his wife are walking their dog.
PETER (V.O.): It was my elder daughter's urge to have the dog five years ago. And now, she hasn't seen her dog physically for about two years.
At the pier, Peter sees a traditional ferry mooring. He captures the moment
with his mobile.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Months ago, my wife and I and our dog took the ferry to the other side of the harbour..
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Over there, we found that we're less welcoming. That's why we won't go there anymore.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Just a short distance away, there are already some differences.
Act 3
INT. SITTING ROOM - NIGHT
Peter and his wife are watching TV news. We hear: Huawei's Meng Wanzhou has already landed in Shenzhen, China.
.Pausing.
PETER (V.O.): Home is where one belongs. Elsewhere, we're aliens.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.): Home is a peaceful place where one can rest and re-energize oneself.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): We don't have to travel the whole world or stay somewhere to find it.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Hong Kong is my home.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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