Standing Tall

1. FADE IN

2. 
   

3. Act 1

4. 
   

5. INT. BATHROOM - 22:00 (YESTERDAY)

6. 
   

7. A MAID ushers PETER inside to see TAI KOU, the family pet turtle.

8. 
   

9. PETER: Wow! That's unique and magnificent!

10. 
    

11. We see Tai Kou standing tall, firm and strong with his back claws against the wall.

12. 
    

13. PETER (V.O.): Staying quiet, he holds his head up high. I like that.

14. 
    

15. Observing.

16. 
    

17. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It isn't the height at which Tai Kou stands. It's how he stands at his height.

18. 
    

19. Pausing.

20. 
    

21. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Even though he is standing alone.

22. 
    

23. Peter captures the moment with his smart phone.

24. 
    

25. Act 2

26. 
    

27. INT. STUDY - 09:30

28. 
    

29. Taking out files from a brief case, Peter studies them.

30. 
    

31. PETER (V.O.): Having a sad time over the loss of Nana, I hate to do this.

32. 
    

33. Pausing.

34. 
    

35. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Quality time is more valuable than money. I don't want to waste my life.

36. 
    

37. Studying.

38. 
    

39. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But it's a part-heard case, and so I've to do it.

40. 
    

41. INT. RESTAURANT - 11:00

42. 
    

43. Eating dumplings, Peter has his eyes on phone screen images of Nana.

44. 
    

45. PETER (V.O.): The images should make a good album for Nana's funeral service coming Saturday.

46. 
    

47. EXT. MTR CABIN - 13:30

48. 
    

49. In a 3-piece black suit, Peter is having screen time.

50. 
    

51. PETER (V.O.): For lawyering, no preparation is ever enough.

52. 
    

53. Peter sees an incoming mail.

54. 
    

55. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, it's New Year Greetings from the former DG of AIPPI.

56. 
    

57. Recalling.

58. 
    

59. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I always remember him. He was my last official guest and we talked about sound marks.

60. 
    

61. Smiling. Peter types his reply: You make my day! Then, Peter discovers something.

62. 
    

63. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, I've missed the station where I need to get off.

64. 
    

65. INT. OFFICE - 14:10

66. 
    

67. Appearing. Peter sees no one at the reception. Investigating, Peter sees STAFF gathering at an open space.

68. 
    

69. PETER (V.O.): Oh they're having a Christmas party. But I come here working...

70. 
    

71. MONTAGE OF PETER'S COURT APPEARANCE

72. 
    

73. A. Standing, Peter calls WITNESSES.

74. 
    

75. B. Standing, Peter examines witnesses.

76. 
    

77. C. Standing, Peter submits before the BENCH.

78. 
    

79. END MONTAGE

80. 
    

81. INT. MTR CABIN - 17:45

82. 
    

83. Crowded. Peter is standing. We hear an announcement encouraging passengers to give their seats to the elderly...

84. 
    

85. PETER (V.O.): They even compete with me...

86. 
    

87. Standing tall.

88. 
    

89. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That's Okay. While grieving, there's not much difference between standing and sitting.

90. 
    

91. Pausing.

92. 
    

93. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Accepting, absorbing and enduring are challenging.

94. 
    

95. EXT. STREET - 18:15

96. 
    

97. Nightfall. Peter is walking towards an estate.

98. 
    

99. PETER (V.O.): Nana's absence is like the dark sky, spreading over everything.

100. 
     

101. Act 3

102. 
     

103. INT. BEDROOM - 22:30

104. 
     

105. Sitting in a corner, Peter is checking turtle images on screen.

106. 
     

107. PETER (V.O.): Against all odds, Tai Kou stands up and stands tall.

108. 
     

109. Thinking.

110. 
     

111. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I should stand out by loving deeper and smiling wider.

112. 
     

113. Pausing.

114. 
     

115. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Standing tall just the way I'm supposed to be.

116. 
     

117. THE END

118. 
     

119. FADE OUT