FADE IN.
Act 1
EXT. BUS STOP - DAY
As a bus stops, PETER, his WIFE and younger SON get on board to the upper deck. Mother chooses to sit with his son.
PETER (V.O.): Yes, a son is the whole world to the mother.
Peter takes another seat alone.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's a rare occasion that our son would join us for a day out.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): His girlfriend is preparing for her imminent exam.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): We'll watch the movie: The Father.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The reviews are very good.
Act 2
INT. CINEMA - LATER
Peter wife sits between Peter and their son. We see moving images on screen.
PETER (V.O.): We come to see how dramatic aging could be.
Watching the film.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): We all have slips of memory, but not as serious as that.
We hear giggles among the audience.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Even Professor Charles Kao would suffer from Alzheimer's. Would my mind begin to fray like that?
Watching.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But his father suffered from the same disease. My father didn't get confused with his identity or of places.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My elder son and I went to the columbarium yesterday. My Dad was 80 years of age. He died in 2011.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My Dad helped bring up my elder son until he turned 5 1/2 years old.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And I've been playing the roles of both father and mother.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Although the circumstances were very hard for my elder son, my overall goal was to make him strong, independent and brave.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Looking back, his behaviour has fully met and exceeded my expectations.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And I'm now very pleased to know that he may have found his soulmate.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My Mum is 90 years old now. Her memory is failing her...
FLASHBACK
EXT. FAMILY GRAVEYARDS - DAY
Peter and extended family MEMBERS are sweeping graves with tools. Peter's Mum chats with Peter.
MUM: Has your wife finished her studies?
PETER: Her studies? She has completed that nearly 20 years ago.
Getting closer to him, Peter's Mum combs his white hair with her hand.
PETER (V.O.): What a surprise! I thought my Mum only cares about money. And I did give her a lot earlier.
PETER (Cont'd): I'm turning 67 soon.
MUM: It isn't anything to worry about.
Later, leaving the graveyard, Peter walks hand in hand with her Mum.
PETER (V.O.): I'm doing that for the first time. I find my Mum getting frail this time.
RETURN TO PRESENT
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The leading male actor in the film is around the same age as my Dad before he died. The actor merges with the Father character.
Watching.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The film's approach is non-conventional. It's like the director playing mind games with the audience.
We see moving images of green leaves before the end credits.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In my opinion, the treatment of its Act III and the closing image can be better.
Act 3
INT. JAPANESE RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Sitting opposite to his wife and son, Peter is watching them deciding what to order.
PETER (V.O.): A fortnight ago, they came here without me.
EXT. BUS STOP - NIGHT
As a bus stops, PETER, his WIFE and their SON get on board to the upper deck. Son chooses to sit with mother.
PETER (V.O.) : It's said that a mother is a son's best friend, but I believe a father too.
Peter sits separately, but on the same role.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I believe children are what their parents made them.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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