FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. STUDY - 09:30 -13:00
PETER is glued to the computer screen.
PETER (V.O.): I'm finalizing my domain name decisions. There's no room for any error.
Checking and editing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In order to play the roles of a preparer, a checker and an approver all by myself, I re-read my drafts at different times and in different ways.
Relaxing on a sofa, Peter grabs his mobile to check messages.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, my sister has broken news - 58 rounds of ammunition were found in Wong Uk Tsuen (黄屋村) - reported by Yahoo News.
Reading and listening.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In her old village house, actually! Her late-father-in-law used to have a gun licence.
Peter types on the phone.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Well done Wong Mo Yuen (黄武源) ! Still have ammunition to make Wong Uk Tsuen in the news and the Wong family under the limelight!
Act 2
FLASHBACK
EXT. WONG UK TSUEN - FEW YEARS AGO
Peter is attending a traditional funeral ceremony, paying final tribute to Wong Mo Yuen.
PETER (V.O.): He's a very good man, living to his 90s. He was the Wong Uk Tsuen's village representative. From 1968-1980, he was the vice-chairman of Shap Pat Heung (十八鄉) .
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In 1971, when I was applying for admission to the matriculation class in NT Heung Yee Kuk (Yuen Long District) Secondary School, he wrote a reference for me.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Although I learnt later the admission threshold wasn't high, I appreciated his support. The government school charging cheap school fees was my only option.
Beside Peter is his BROTHER-IN-LAW.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In Autumn 1971, my sister married my brother-in-law. Wong invited well over 1000 guests.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In 1973, when I wanted to change my career to become a teacher, I was referred to see Wong's good friend Tang Kin Sun (鄧乾新).
SEQENCE OF PETER BECOMING A TEACHER IN 1973
A. Summer, 1973. Tung Lok Theatre (同樂戲院). Ticket office. Peter (19) is given a name card bearing the name of Tang Kin Sun.
B. Later. Pak Kau College (伯裘書院). Principal's office. Peter presents the name card to Principal Tam Man Kwan.
C. Continuous. After teaching ex tempore a mock class, Peter is hired.
END SEQUENCE
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That's my 1st full-time job. Initially, I was paid $700/m. In early 1974, I led a pay-rise petition and my pay was raised to $730/m.
.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In May 1974, I quit the job to become a Housing Assistant. The government paid me $1400/m initially.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): On one rare occasion in early 1980, I happened to be with Wong and met some Land Executives. Wong seized the opportunity to introduce me to them.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But in summer 1980, Wong contested the incumbent's job as Chairman of Shap Pat Heung. The votes were tied, necessitating a draw.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Wong lost the draw and had to disappear from the rural political scene. He adapted well and enjoyed family life.
RETURN TO PRESENT
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My brother-in-law, the village representative of Wong Uk Tsuen for many years now, wanted to rebuild the family's Spanish-style mansions. So the Wong family will have to retreat to their old village house soon.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The rounds were discovered during decluttering by one of Wong's granddaughters and grandsons-in-law.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've been doing the decluttering myself, as I still can.
Act 3
INT. STUDY - 20:30
Peter is working on his laptop.
PETER (V.O.): Do I have a photo of Wong Uk Tsuen?
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, after last Saturday's wedding banquet, I drove my sister and brother-in-law back to Wong Uk Tsuen with my 2002 Mercedes E-class.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Before Wong's passing away, my brother-in-law had a new E-class and a luxurious 8-seater.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That night, my brother-in-law was so anxious to show me his new S-class. I sat in the driving seat and had a feel of it.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I looked at the empty boss seat at the back, I remembered Wong Mo Yuen.
Peter reads incoming emails.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): While the arbitration centre's Secretariat hasn't come back to me, I've received lots of notices and agendas for meetings at HKUST.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Work in retirement isn't family life for me yet. A man can never have too much ammunition.
FADE OUT.
THE END

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