FADE IN
Act 1
EXT. FERRY PIER#6, CENTRAL - 10:00
As PETER is checking the ferry schedules on a sign post, we hear a loud bell sound and see a WOMAN approaching Peter.
WOMAN: Has the ferry to Mui Wo just gone?
PETER: No, that one goes to Peng Chau. The one to Mui Wo leaves at 10:30.
Peter points at the 10:30 trip for Mui Wo and then the 10:00 one from Mui Wo.
WOMAN: I see now! How about those trips highlighted in blue?
PETER: They accept cargoes.
PETER (V.O.): I had the same issue weeks ago.
PETER (Cont'd): You can check in now.
WOMAN: Okay.
PETER (V.O.): Like me, she wants an excursion on a fine day.
Act 2
EXT. MUI WO BUS TERMINUS - 11:27
Peter gets on board a Route#1 bus to "Tai O".
PETER (V.O.): I know the bus leaving at 11:30. My third time taking it now.
Peter sits in a middle row.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I went to Lower Cheung Sha Beach and then Pui O Beach, I sat in the front row as I could seek the driver's advice.
EXT. TONG FUK BEACH - 11:50
Getting off at a bus stop, Peter sees a sign "Tong Fuk Beach".
PETER (V.O.): My first time coming here by a bus.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I was a Justice of the Peace (JP), I visited Tong Fuk Correctional Institution a few times, by helicopter.
Entering, Peter sees a signage: Lifeguard services have been suspended.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It isn't Nov yet. Another reason why I've come.
Apart from seeing waves lapping on the shoreline, Peter sees BEACHGOER#1 sunbathing near an empty lifeguard tower and BEACHGOER#2 doing the same on the other side.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Let me stay in between them and play my ukulele.
Depositing his stuff under a shade, Peter plays the fingering of "Fly Me to the Moon" and the strumming of the chords of "Stand By Me" or C, Am, F, G and repeats.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Not having heard my songs before, people can't resonate with them.
Later, while Peter is playing the ukulele under the sun at the shoreline, we see a cleaning STAFF sweeping litter on soft sands nearby.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): There's no time to be bored in a place as beautiful as this.
EXT. SOUTH LANTAU ROAD - 14:00
Walking towards Upper Cheung Sha Beach, Peter gives way to a bull and avoids cow dungs. Then, we hear whup-whup-whup and thith-thith-thith.
PETER (V.O.): Are they coming from a helicopter? It's unlikely a JP visit would extend beyond 13:00.
Looking up the sky, Peter sees no helicopter. Looking seawards, Peter sees a motor boat working by a beach's shark prevention nets.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's my cognitive bias. Yes, the good old days.
EXT. UPPER CHEUNG SHA BEACH - 14:15
Arriving, Peter sees a signage: Lifeguard services have been suspended.
PETER (V.O.): This beach is the largest in Lantau and the water is the roughest. I won't take the risk.
Peter watches the sea.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Without water, there wouldn't be life on Earth. Water is the driving force of all nature.
As he's waiting at a bus stop, Peter sees a Route#11 bus approaching.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It isn't Route#1. It goes to "Tung Chung"...
As Peter doesn't hold out his arm, DRIVER#1 drives past without stopping.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, why should I stick to my Mui Wo destination?
Later, Peter sees a Route 11A bus to "Tung Chung Town Centre" approaching. He has no hesitation to signal to DRIVER#2.
EXT. TOWN CENTRE, TUNG CHUNG - 14:50
Carrying his red bag and ukulele, Peter is the last to get off the bus. A young COUPLE carrying tent gear are before him.
PETER (V.O.): In 1973, I was 19. Together with my classmates. we walked down from Lantau Peak to Tung Chung. It was just a rural village then.
Act 3
EXT. MTR STATION, TUNG CHUNG - 16:00
Coming out from the Citygate Outlets, Peter walks towards the station.
PETER (V.O.): I've just had a "Pepper Lunch". I feel good to be somewhat lost in the new direction.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): While the purpose of a journey is the destination, the purpose of an excursion is the process.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Whether one goes looking for sorrow or joy, the excursion is the same.
Happily, Peter disappears in the crowd.
THE END
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FADE OUT
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