The November Flight
FADE IN
Act 1
MONTAGE
A. Living room. Afternoon. PETER sits at an upright piano. He plays some gentle, slightly halting tunes. His WIFE sits on the sofa, watching a drama on TV.
B. Silverstrand Bay. Evening. The water is calm. Peter swims with steady, methodical strokes. The beach is quiet.
END MONTAGE
EXT. PARK - 18:45
Streetlamps cast a warm glow. His wife walks Kaji, the family pet. Peter joins them.
PETER: Has she done her business?
WIFE: Yes...I've a message for you. Our younger daughter is coming home for a break. In November. The TV drama project is wrapping out in a fortnight.
Peter's face, usually composed, breaks into a wide smile.
PETER: That's wonderful. We last met in May, in Tokyo. It's been too long.
Act 2
FLASHBACK
INT. ROYAL LOUNGE, NEW CHITOSE AIRPORT - 16:45 (Sept 23, 2026)
Elegent. Peter and his wife sit with carry-on luggage.
PETER: We'll be back in Hong Kong in about four hours. I'd be able to get home, pick up the car, and get to the airport in time to pick up our son-in-law from Seoul.
WIFE: Our elder daughter thinks the better option is for her to grab an Uber and bring her husband home.
Peter frowns, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face.
WIFE (Cont'd): She says you'll be tired.
Peter is silent for a moment, processing. Then his expression softens into one of appreciation.
INT. HOME - 20:45
Peter and his wife enter, looking weary from travel. Peter drops his bag by the door.
PETER: I'm going to bed. I'll see them tomorrow.
He heads straight to the bedroom.
INT. LIVING ROOM - 11:00 (Sept 24, 2026)
Peter, refreshed, greets his elder DAUGHTER and SON-IN-LAW.
PETER: It's good to see you both.
DAUGHTER: We're having brunch in a Cha Chaan Teng. We'll be back for dinner.
INT. LIVING ROOM - 17:45
Peter's daughter and son-in-law return.
DAUGHTER: My husband loves the Stir-fried Beef flat noodles...
Peter passes to her a fat red-packet.
PETER: Happy Birthday!
DAUGHTER: Thanks, Dad.
INT. DINING ROOM - 20:30
The FAMILY is gathered at a long table laden with food.
DAUGHTER:...and the best part of my new job is, I'm 100% teleworking. I can be anywhere.
Everyone smiles. pleased.
PETER: That's wonderful. You deserve it.
PETER (V.O.): Six months ago, she came home unexpectedly. Then, she disclosed she's on her resignation leave.
RETURN TO PRESENT
INT. LIVING ROOM - 20:00
Peter and his wife are on the sofa, a laptop before them.
WIFE: There's a round trip ticket Tokyo-HK-Tokyo (Nov 10-18)...but it departs at 08:15...too early.
PETER: For the past five months, while working for the TV drama project, our younger daughter has been waking up at 5am and hasn't been able to sleep before 11pm...
WIFE: Although practice during a break should differ, I'll share this suggestion for her consideration.
PETER (V.O.): When our elder daughter came back from Seoul, defeated, it hit me. The harsh working conditions she endured...I couldn't protect her from them.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And now, our younger daughter, five months in Tokyo, working on her dream, but also working herself to the bone.
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM -22:30
Peter uploads a photo to a draft on his laptop. It shows an airport departures board.
PETER (V.O.): November isn't a month on the calendar. It's the countdown in a father's heart.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Every daughter's return flight is a father's proof that love travels both ways.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The November flight isn't about travel. It's about return - the oldest story families tell.
The END
FADE OUT
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