Lend a Hand

1. FADE IN.

2. 
   

3. Act 1

4. 
   

5. INT. SITTING ROOM - BATHROOM - LATE AFTERNOON

6. 
   

7. Returning home, PETER rushes to the bathroom. We see two turtles swimming in the bath tub.

8. 
   

9. PETER (V.O.): I yearn to see them and interact with them.

10. 
    

11. As Peter reaches out the turtles with his hand, the turtles attempts to bite Peter's fingers. Peter doesn't avoid their bites.

12. 
    

13. PETER (VO.) (Cont'd): Their bites won't hurt me, just a little pain.

14. 
    

15. Peter uses his fingers to massage turtles' shoulders in turn.

16. 
    

17. PETER (VO.) (Cont'd): The bigger one isn't that shy now. I believe he knows I've never been a threat.

18. 
    

19. Holding its right hand and then its left hand, Peter talks to the turtle.

20. 
    

21. PETER: Hand, hand...lend a hand.

22. 
    

23. PETER (VO.): He neither avoids nor resists me.

24. 
    

25. Peter captures the moment with his mobile.

26. 
    

27. Act 2

28. 
    

29. FLASHBACK

30. 
    

31. INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT (Yesterday)

32. 
    

33. Checking her mobile, Peter's WIFE relates a message.

34. 
    

35. WIFE: Our elder daughter's boyfriend's father has been hospitalized again.

36. 
    

37. Peter nods.

38. 
    

39. WIFE (Cont'd): The doctor said he had reached his limit of life...

40. 
    

41. PETER: It was great that we did skype last Monday.

42. 
    

43. FLASHBACK UPON FLASHBACK

44. 
    

45. INT. SITTING ROOM - NIGHT (Last Monday)

46. 
    

47. Peter and his wife are focusing on a computer screen. In one window is their elder DAUGHTER. As another window opens, they see their daughter's BOYFRIEND, his very frail FATHER and caring MOTHER - all smiling.

48. 
    

49. END FLASHBACK UPON FLASHBACK

50. 
    

51. PETER (Cont'd): And you supplemented that with a note in Korean using Google Translate...

52. 
    

53. Pausing.

54. 
    

55. WIFE: Our daughter's boyfriend will return to Busan from Seoul to visit his father.

56. 
    

57. PETER: Yes, I like him very much. Our daughter has made an excellent choice.

58. 
    

59. Pausing.

60. 
    

61. PETER (Cont'd): We do have some precious moments to remember, although our encounter was virtual and brief.

62. 
    

63. Sighing.

64. 
    

65. PETER (Cont'd): How old is he?

66. 
    

67. WIFE: I don't know...

68. 
    

69. PETER: Ask our daughter.

70. 
    

71. Having tapped on her phone, Peter's wife gets a swift reply.

72. 
    

73. WIFE: He's 63.

74. 
    

75. PETER: I'm 67...

76. 
    

77. RETURN TO PRESENT

78. 
    

79. PETER (V.O.): Leaving court this morning, I've gone to a sports store and bought a wet suit.

80. 
    

81. Peter watches the turtles swimming.

82. 
    

83. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I endeavour to swim all year round. I've never got a wet suit to keep me warm.

84. 
    

85. Pausing.

86. 
    

87. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But the fact is that I'm a senior citizen. I might not be able to endure the cold water anymore.

88. 
    

89. INT. SITTING ROOM - NIGHT

90. 
    

91. Peter's wife relates a message to Peter solemnly.

92. 
    

93. WIFE: The doctor remarked that it was about time...So sad...

94. 
    

95. PETER (V.O.): Nothing stays the same.

96. 
    

97. They sigh together.

98. 
    

99. Act 3

100. 
     

101. INT. SITTING ROOM - LATER

102. 
     

103. The TV is on. Neither Peter nor his wife is watching.

104. 
     

105. PETER (V.O.): Helping others in need might not be a cure, but it definitely nurture the souls.

106. 
     

107. Pausing.

108. 
     

109. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's one of the greatest gifts that all should cherish.

110. 
     

111. Thinking.

112. 
     

113. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Be a smile to others who have no reason to smile.

114. 
     

115. Pausing.

116. 
     

117. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Have a heart and lend a hand, while we can.

118. 
     

119. FADE OUT.

120. 
     

121. THE END