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Writer's picturePeter K F Cheung SBS

Joyful Encounter

  1. FADE IN.


  2. Act 1


  3. INT. STUDY - MORNING


  4. PETER is relaxing on a sofa.


  5. PETER (V.O.): I should be very busy, preparing for a hearing tomorrow. But yesterday, the Court ordered the hearing be re-fixed.


  6. Pausing.


  7. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've a hunch that the hearing won't be re-fixed anytime soon. To fill the void, I'd better do something constructive.


  8. Picking up one of his smartphones, Peter makes a call.


  9. PETER (To phone): Hello, I wish to have my car tested today. Do you have a vacancy?


  10. SOMEONE (From phone):..Today?...Okay....4.pm. Bring along the vehicle licence...


  11. PETER (V.O): That's great. That's one thing I can do.


  12. Ending the call, Peter looks pleased.


  13. Act 2


  14. INT. CAR TESTING CENTRE - AFTERNOON


  15. Waiting room. Peter is reading a magazine.

  16. PETER (V.O.): My SMART car was manufactured in 2003. It's 18-year old now.


  17. Pausing.


  18. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It has never failed a roadworthy test. I feel it's still pretty healthy.


  19. Recalling.


  20. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I didn't have deep pockets, car-testing was testing to me as well.


  21. Pausing.


  22. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But now, whatever matters that money can resolve aren't problems to me anymore.


  23. Thinking.


  24. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If the car has to be fixed, I pay to support the car-repairing sector, contributing to Hong Kong's GDP.


  25. Pausing.


  26. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Somehow, I still wish my car well. It saves my time.


  27. Peter looks a little nervous.


  28. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've waited for over an hour now. Is there anything wrong?


  29. Then, a uniformed MECHANIC appears, passing some papers to Peter.


  30. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): A clean bill again. Great!


  31. EXT. ROADS - LATER


  32. Peter drives his SMART car swiftly.


  33. PETER (V.O.): Having verified its health, I feel the car is smarter than before. What a confirmation bias!

  34. INT. HOME - LATER


  35. Peter is checking some look-a-like papers.


  36. PETER (V.O.): I go to the car testing centre 6 times a year. I need the roadworthy certificates to renew their licences.


  37. His smartphone rings. Peter sees on the phone screen the identified caller.


  38. PETER (V.O.): What? From the car-testing centre? Have they made a mistake or something?


  39. Peter takes the call.


  40. SOMEONE (From phone): I believe I've left my smartphone inside your car!


  41. PETER (To phone): Is that right? Where have you put it?


  42. No response.


  43. PETER (To phone): Let me go to the car park and check it out.


  44. SOMEONE (From phone): Do come back to me!


  45. PETER (To phone): Sure.


  46. INT. UNDERGROUND CAR PARK - LATER


  47. Using a phone torch, Peter checks the interior of his car.


  48. PETER (V.O.): If I leave something inside a car, I expect them to be near the seats.


  49. Peter sees a smartphone on the car floor next to the driver seat.


  50. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've found it! Let me drive up to the G/F to make a call, and then deliver it back to the mechanic.


  51. Arriving at the G/F, Peter finds that he has missed many calls from the car-testing centre.


  52. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I know how it feels when one is separated from one's smartphone. It's an extension of one's self!


  53. Quickly, Peter makes a call.


  54. Act 3


  55. EXT. CAR-TESTING CENTRE - LATER


  56. Arriving, Peter sees the Mechanic and other STAFF waiting. Swiftly, the Mechanic comes forward as Peter opens the car door. The Mechanic sees his smartphone.

  57. PETER: I haven't touched it.


  58. The Mechanic grabs his smartphone joyfully, reuniting with his extension.


  59. MECHANIC: Thank you very much! Mr Cheung!


  60. As he drives away, Peter joyfully waves goodbye to the PARTY.


  61. PETER (V.O.): The Mechanic was all smiles! It is infectious!


  62. Pausing.


  63. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've assured him that his privacy remains intact, despite the hour-long separation.


  64. Pausing.


  65. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): What an unexpected joyful encounter!


  66. FADE OUT.


  67. THE END



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