FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. STUDY - EVENING
PETER is sleeping on the sofa as his mobile rings. PETER struggles to take the call.
PETER: Hello.
SOMEONE (From phone): We've a bargain loan offer...
Peter taps the red phone icon.
PETER (V.O.): Over 10 years ago, I was interested in such calls. I had difficulty to pay tax every year.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.(Cont'd): For decades, I worked very hard. But the civil service pay wasn't linked to performance.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.(Cont'd): I did the best to create public value. I didn't do much for my loved ones, not to mention myself.
Act 2
FLASHBACK
INT. BEDROOM - MORNING
Peter wakes up at 06:30.
PETER (V.O.): Yesterday, I woke up around this time. But I don't have to work today.
Later, Peter wakes up at 09:45.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): For the past few days, my sleeping time varied. from no sleep and 3 hours to 6 hours and now 9 hours. Yesterday night, I deliberately didn't wear my eye mask.
INT. JAPANESE YAKINIKU RESTAURANT - AFTERNOON
Cosy. Peter and his wife are reading the menus.
PETER: There are A4 or A5 Wagyu beef choices.
WIFE: We can order two A5 dishes.
PETER: I'm easy. But I'm curious about the difference A4 and A5. The last yakiniku we had in Japan was many years ago.
Later, the dishes of A4 and A5 bite-sized beef are put on the table. Soon after Peter's wife's placing of the slices individually on a grill net, Peter picks up a medium-raw slice to sample.
PETER: Well, it tastes as good as those in Japan.
They continue to enjoy their meal.
PETER (V.O.): I don't often have such good moments with my wife. She has her engagements on Saturdays and Sundays. Right after this meal, she'll go to her beauty salon.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'll take time for myself to swim in Repulse Bay.
Finishing their meal, Peter checks Google Maps.
PETER: Oh, I can take the Route No.6 bus at the Exchange Square. I've never taken a bus from there before.
SEQUENCE OF PETER'S TAKING TIME FOR HIMSELF
A. Peter gets on board a waiting Route No.6 bus.
B. When the bus passes Wu Chung House, Wanchai, Peter looks excited.
C. Getting off at Repulse Bay, Peter captures the panoramic view.
D. Having changed, Peter walks past other BEACHGOERS - mostly expatriates.
E. Peter swims to a floating platform and rests on it for a short while.
F. Leaving the beach, Peter walks past bayside shops and restaurants.
END SEQUENCE.
EXT. CAR PARK - AFTERNOON
Peter rejoins his wife in a cyber-green New Beetle.
PETER: A lot of expatriates are enjoying their time at the Repulse Bay Beach.
RETURN TO PRESENT
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.): In the summer of 1973, I was working in the Lido Restaurant, Repulse Bay. It was where the current shops and restaurants are situated.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'd swim in the Repulse Bay early in the morning. Other than that, I've never swum in the Repulse Bay on a Saturday.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): While working for the Government and my family were young, we had dinner with my parents on Saturdays before staying overnight in our NT home. In retirement, I came on weekdays but the car parks were full.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): For my Saturdays & Sundays now, I reserve them to my family members. Whether they'd seize my availability is up to them. .
Act 3
INT. STUDY - CONTINUOUS
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My past events were such that they tried to make me something else.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That I'm so relaxed now is probably because the stress in me has been released.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Do I deserve doing something nice to myself?
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's a fact that I've taken time for myself this Saturday afternoon.
: FADE OUT.
THE END
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