Pleasant Surprises
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Dec 7, 2021
- 3 min read
FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - 07:00
PETER opens his eyes.
PETER (V.O.): I didn't sleep well.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I was excited to get back my 32-year-old coupe in the morning. The repair had taken over 3 months.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I also felt unease about my prediction that the stock market would rise today. If I was wrong, I won't have much cash to buy low again.
Peter touches his back.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My back pain has recurred. And I've a workshop cum reception to attend at the International Finance Center (IFC) in the afternoon.
Peter gets up.
Act 2
INT. STUDY - 09:30
Smartphone in hand, Peter checks his entrepreneurship fund and sees numerals in green.
PETER (V.O.): Okay, the stock market is rising. Hope the market force is strong this time.
INT. CAR REPAIRER - 11:15
Inspecting the engine parts of a red coupes, Peter chats with a MECHANIC.
PETER: So the worn parts have all been replaced?
MECHANIC: Yes, it was a challenge to get the tailor-made parts.
Peter pays at the CASHIER.
PETER (V.O.): The repair cost isn't low. The car repairer needs profits too.
Happily, Peter drives away his old coupe.
INT. MTR CABIN - 13:00
Standing, Peter watches kindergarten pupils occupying all the priority seats.
PETER (V.O.): I usually don't care. But today, I need to put some Ammeltz lotion on my back. Would anyone of them offer me a seat?
Peter refocuses on his smartphone screen.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, the stock market continues to rise. Some investors may take profits soon.
INT. 5708, IFC TWO - 13:55
Arriving, Peter sees the stylised logo: SCIA HK.
PETER (V.O.): The Secretary-General from Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA) extended the invitation to me.
Smiling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Having heard me singing a trilingual song entitled Don't Make Me Blue in a cruise, he made me an arbitrator.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I used to go to SCIA premises at the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. But the pandemic has disrupted the practice.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I believe one reason to hold the workshop is to celebrate the intake of a new SCIA tower in Shenzhen.
Opening remarks are being made on screens.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The mixed-mode engagement is common these days.
A LADY on screen is speaking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Ah, the last time we met in Hong Kong was about 10 years ago.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I haven't told her that she inspired me to write the song Don't Make Me Blue.
Then, talks begin.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): What's happening to the stock market should keep me awake.
Peter is attracted to the flashing green numerals.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Well, I've recovered 1/3 of my loss in one trading day! Isn't life full of surprises?
Refocusing on the workshop, Peter looks bewildered.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): SCIA HK actually stands for "South China International Arbitration Center". It's a separate Hong Kong entity, although it collaborates with SCIA.
INT. GLASSHOUSE, IFC - 19::00
Joining a reception, Peter hears someone singing:...What a wonderful world.
PETER (V.O.): He imitates Louis Armstrong well.
Finishing his orange juice, Peter leaves.
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - 23:00
PETER (V.O.): The roof area outside the Glasshouse is nice. I've captured a few photos.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Predicting the stock market is a very difficult business. I was proven right today.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Tomorrow is another trading day. If I've low expectations, I should have more pleasant surprises.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Meanwhile, I feel good that I've reunited with my coupe. I'll fill up its tank and make it shine.
Peter sleeps.
FADE OUT
THE END
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