FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
PETER rolls over in bed.
PETER (V.O.): Am I still too excited?
FLASHBACK
INT. SITTING ROOM - THE NIGHT BEFORE
Peter's FAMILY is skyping with Peter's elder DAUGHTER. Peter claps his hands.
PETER (To laptop): I'm so pleased that you've got a job offer! Working in the upscale Roppongi office district is prestigious!
Pausing.
PETER (To laptop): You've the right value. You've enhanced your capacity. With the job-offer support, you've made it!
Peter claps his hands again. Then, Peter's WIFE intervenes.
RETURN TO PRESENT
Act 2
INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
PETER (V.O.): Yes, I'm still very excited. My elder daughter is the first person in the family who has secured a job overseas.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm very proud of the steps she has taken in reaching her goal. Let me take some icy water to calm me down.
EXT. ROADS TO NT - MORNING
Wearing a T-shirt with a design depicting Japanese cities, Peter drives his red Nissan 200SX.
PETER (V.O.): This is the first time I wear this T-shirt in Hong Kong. Before the pandemic, I might wear it upon entering Japan, so that customs officers would ask me fewer questions.
Pausing.
.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My family had a tour in Japan in Dec 2019. When the custom officer checking us found out that we would go to Aomori, he was bewildered.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That's understandable as there wasn't much to see there in winter. But for us, snowing was already the attraction. My elder daughter flew from Fukuyama to join us at Aomori.
Driving towards Golden Coast.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In hindsight, we had a great trip, driving a hired 8-seater from Tokyo to Aomori and return.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And in early Jan 2020, I went to Tokyo alone. I stayed in a hotel in Tokyo's Roppongi area. It looks safe during day time.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And in early Feb 2020, I flew to Sapporo via Tokyo.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): On my return trip, I made a quick trip to Akihabara from Haneda Airport, before heading to Narita Airport.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): So, for my last three trips before the travel restrictions, I stayed in Tokyo.
Sighing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Now, I drive my cars and have staycations in my NT home. In fact, I'm building a life so that I don't need any vacation.
Peter arrives Golden Coast Beach.
INT. RESTAURANT - AFTERNOON
Getting a menu from the CAPTAIN (20s), Peter does his order.
PETER: I'll have Kyushu Ramen.
PETER (V.O.): The last time I had Ramen in Kyushu was in Nov 2019. I was visiting my elder daughter who began living there in Oct that year.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I meant to visit her again in March 2020. But by then, the Japanese government had already imposed the travel restrictions.
A bowl of Kyushu Ramen is put on the table.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): This is an imperfect substitute I can get.
Peter enjoys every bit of the noodles and soup. Soon, there's nothing left.
EXT. PETER'S NT HOME - LATER
Covered car park. At the rear seats of his Nissan 200SX, a sweating Peter is gluing the broken plastic joints for the cargo cover.
PETER (V.O.): These're some of the little things that I can do for myself in Hong Kong. I couldn't offer any physical help to my elder daughter in Japan.
Act 3
INT. STUDY - NIGHT
Working on his laptop, Peter watches TV news intermittently.
PETER (V.O.): Tokyo's state of emergency has been extended. It's still uncertain if the Games would be on.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That's understandable. Managing any crisis is a lot harder. I'm all for greater safety in Tokyo now.
INT. BEDROOM - LATER
Turning on the bedside radio, Peter goes to bed.
PETER (V.O.): I know my elder daughter will be careful especially when she moves to Tokyo. She has my genes.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Although I'm not religious person, I'll continue to keep my fingers crossed for her.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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