FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. STUDY - DAY
PETER sees a phone notification.
PETER (V.O.): Here's an answer request: If the coronavirus pandemic never happened, what would I have done in the past months?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Well, since my retirement in May 2014, I've made it my hobby to travel at least once a month.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If the pandemic never happened, I would certainly have continued making my monthly trips for the past months.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.): I managed to make my February trip to see the Sapporo Snow Festivals 2020.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In March 2020, when my round-trip flights to Fukuoka were cancelled and I needed to have a visa to travel to Japan, I was still hopeful.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Only when Japan announced that no non-essential travel visa applications would be entertained did I give up to visit my elder daughter there.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My wife and I also meant to visit our younger daughter in UK in April. But she managed to fly home in late March just before UK's general lockdown.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Our planned trip to Australia in May to see our son there was also cancelled because it wouldn't allow any entry of non-nationals .
Peter begins to type his answer on his phone.
Act 2
INT. STUDY - CONTINUOUS
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In 2019, I was in Fukuoka, Australia, and UK too. Visiting family members is never enough. Let me insert some photos in my answer.
Peter mines the images from his phone.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But I didn't plan beyond May 2020. If the coronavirus pandemic never happened, where would I have gone?
Checking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In 2019, I was visiting Ishigaki in June, Melbourne and Sydney in July, and Miyakojima in August.
FLASHBACK
EXT. ISLAND ROAD, ISHIGAKI - DAY (June 2019)
Peter sits inside a buffalo cart. A Japanese GIRL (20s) is in control. She plays a Japanese musical instrument and sings folklore as the buffalo is slowly pulling the cart.
PETER (V.O.): What a traditional cultural expression! I'm glad that I've come this time.
EXT. CENTRAL, MELBOURNE - NIGHT (July 2019)
Inside a light rail cabin, Peter is enjoying the street view.
PETER (V.O.): Oh, I see a promo sign: "Christmas in July"! Yes, I'm in the southern hemisphere. It's cold right now.
INT. OPERA HOUSE, SYDNEY - NIGHT (July 2019)
Peter and his SONS are watching the musical Madama Butterfly.
PETER (V.O.): What a rare occasion! The company is better than the show!
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD, MIYAKOJIMA - DAY (August 2019)
Wearing just a swimming brief, Peter drives a white car along a scenic route.
PETER (V.O.): Here's like a paradise on earth, and I feel so free!
RETURN TO PRESENT
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Fond memories. Different cultures. Family reunions. Things never happen the same way twice, possibly except the blue skies and seas.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): There was the possibility that I might revisit these places of attractions.
After inserting some other images into his answer, Peter clicks: Submit.
A beat.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, among the many views, there's an upvote. Let me check the background of the upvoter.
Peter taps his phone screen.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): OMG, he's disabled. Perhaps, my travel photos act as imperfect substitutes.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Did I give him a thread of hope to travel to the destinations someday?
Peter is in thoughts.
Act 3
EXT. ROAD - DAY
Walking along, Peter's WIFE chats with him.
WIFE: I've been reminded to take a decision as to when I'd like to retire. I'll quit the earliest possible.
Pausing.
PETER: But you're doing very well.
Pausing.
WIFE: There's so much other pleasurable things that I can do...
Pausing.
WIFE (Cont'd): Like your monthly travels.
PETER: I haven't travelled for months...
WIFE: If you can travel again, you won't wait. Right?
PETER (V.O.): True, seeing the world has been some of the good things that has ever happened to me. I'll continue to make the most of it while I can.
Peter smiles.
THE END
FADE OUT.
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