Watch the Turtles

1. FADE IN.

2. 
   

3. Act 1

4. 
   

5. INT. SITTING ROOM - DAY

6. 
   

7. At the main door, PETER is seeing his WIFE off.

9. PETER: Oh, you've forgotten about the turtles.

10. 
    

11. Peter's wife hesitates to look at the two turtles in the aquarium kit on the table by the main door.

12. 
    

13. PETER (Cont'd): Never mind, let me take care of them today.

14. 
    

15. Recalling.

16. 
    

17. PETER (V.O.): Our maid should have fed them before going out. Otherwise, they're determined to arouse attention. They scratch the aquarium kit with their feet.

18. 
    

19. Pausing.

20. 
    

21. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That's their only daily worry.

23. Exits Peter with the aquarium kit and the turtles.

25. Act 2

26. 
    

27. INT. BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS

28. 
    

29. Putting the bathtub stopper in the drain, Peter turns on the bathtub tap to allow a pool of water.

30. 
    

31. FLASHBACK

32. 
    

33. INT. BATHROOM - DAY (2010)

34. 
    

35. Peter's wife is talking to a CONTRACTOR.

36. 
    

37. WIFE: I want to replace the bathtub.

38. 
    

39. CONTRACTOR: Are you sure? There're lots of bathtub-related injuries. How about a shower basin?

40. 
    

41. PETER: Can be an option...

42. 
    

43. WIFE: No, I want a modern bathtub with low sides.

44. 
    

45. The contractor and Peter nod.

46. 
    

47. RETURN TO PRESENT

48. 
    

49. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've never imagined that the bathtub has become our turtles' swimming pool!

50. 
    

51. Opening the aquarium kit, Peter carefully puts the turtles into their pool.

52. 
    

53. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): They've been waiting for the delayed daily routine.

54. 
    

55. Peter then turns on the shower.

56. 
    

57. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The turtles are excited.

58. 
    

59. Peter watches the turtles catching the water droplets with their mouths.

60. 
    

61. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I can see that they're having fun.

62. 
    

63. Pausing.

65. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I play with them by touching their heads and massaging their shoulders.

66. 
    

67. Pausing.

68. 
    

69. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But the smaller one might try to bite my fingers.

70. 
    

71. Pausing.

72. 
    

73. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Well, in all fairness, it bites the larger one too.

74. 
    

75. Recalling.

77. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): For many years now, my younger son hasn't played with them.

78. 
    

79. FLASHBACK

80. 
    

81. INT. SITTING ROOM - NIGHT (2003)

82. 
    

83. The FAMILY is watching TV, telling a Giant Panda story. Then the younger son (5) asks Peter for a favour.

84. 
    

85. SON: Dad, I want to have a Giant Panda pet.

87. Peter doesn't look supportive.

88. 
    

89. SON (Cont'd): Dad, a very small one will do...

90. 
    

91. RETURN TO PRESENT

92. 
    

93. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I believe my wife persuaded him to accept two baby turtles as substitutes.

94. 
    

95. Pausing.

96. 
    

97. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Both our son and the turtles have grown up. Those were the days.

98. 
    

99. Act 3

100. 
     

101. INT. BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS

102. 
     

103. Peter continues to watch the turtles playing in water.

104. 
     

105. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When they stick their necks out, I know they feel safe and secure in their sanctuary.

106. 
     

107. Pausing.

108. 
     

109. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In fact, they've become my pets.

110. 
     

111. INT. SITTINGROOM - NIGHT

112. 
     

113. Peter takes a close look of the two turtles in the aquarium kit.

114. 
     

115. PETER (V.O.): They're always at ease in their own shells. Should humans create spiritual shields against negativity?

116. 
     

117. Pausing.

118. 
     

119. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): They look sleepy. Me too.

120. 
     

121. Exits Peter.

122. 
     

123. FADE OUT.

124. 
     

125. THE END