FADE IN
Act 1
INT. SITTING ROOM - 21:30 (Yesterday)
PETER sees his WIFE coming home.
WIFE: Err... the power window switch of our Eunos 30X is broken... I can't close the window.
Peter stares at his wife.
PETER (V.O.): She broke the power window switch of our New Beetle not too long ago.
WIFE (Cont'd):...Definitely, it's material fatigue...
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Yes, the coupe is 28 years old. I treat it like an elderly.
PETER: The problem is that it's hard to find any spare part...
PETER (Cont'd): Let me see what our car repairer can do.
Peter sends a WhatsApp message via his smartphone.
Act 2
EXT/INT. CAR REPAIR SHOP - 10:00
Arriving in the silver Eunos 30X, MECHANIC#1 greets Peter and checks the broken power window switch.
MECHANIC#1: What I hope to achieve initially is to close the window via alternative means.
PETER: Yes, to keep the coupe dry and air-conditioned.
Mechanic#2 joins them.
MECHANIC#2: I doubt if we could find the spare part or a substitute. You Eunos 30X is probably the only surviving one in Hong Kong.
PETER: For many years now, I haven't seen one on the roads of Hong Kong.
Mechanic#1 then drives the coupe into a workshop.
MECHANIC#1 Just then, I've noticed some strange sounds from your coupe.
Peter nods.
PETER (V.O.): I like to think that it isn't a problem. But imagination is a poor substitute for experience.
MECHANIC#: Some other parts are damaged. Your coupe is pretty old.
As the mechanics are repairing the broken power window switch and fixing the window, Peter inspects his New Beetle.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's being overhauled. It's manufactured in 2001.
Later, Mechanic#1 lets Peter get back his Eunos 30X.
MECHANIC: The window is closed now. As the switch is broken, you can't lower it. I need time to search for a spare part...
INT. DINING ROOM - 11:00
Over breakfast, Peter's wife talks to Peter seriously.
WIFE: The Transport Dept has a "1 for 1 Replacement Scheme" - ie first registration tax concession for electric vehicles.
Pausing.
WIFE (Cont'd): I think we should scrap the Eunos 30X and buy a brand new electric car...
PETER: I don't oppose to the idea to buy a brand new electric car. But I don't want to scrap the old Eunos 30X.
PETER (V.O.): When I bought my sixth brand new car in 2003, I undertook to my wife that I wouldn't own more than six cars at the same time.
While his wife looks disagreeable, Peter keeps his mouth shut.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've kept my promise.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): While renting cars overseas, we know how advanced and trouble-free are new cars.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But I'm in tune with my old cars. They're my line of beauties. I'm committed to keeping them reasonably healthy.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I don't buy jewelry. I just want to keep my old cars.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Scrapping even one is very hard for me to do.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's costly to maintain my old cars. It's my indirect way to maintain jobs in Hong Kong.
They continue their breakfast in silence.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Am I substituting emotion for reason?
Act 3
INT. SITTING ROOM - 22:00
Peter's wife talks to him.
WIFE: Next week, I'll drive the Toyota Previa to my office.
Peter nods.
PETER (V.O.): I trust in love at first sight. I'm still in love with my six cars. There's no substitute for lasting love.
Working on his laptop, Peter inserts an AI drawing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Being obsessive in creating original works is a good substitute for self-discipline.
FADE OUT
THE END
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