FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - 21:00
Seeing his WIFE returning, PETER looks surprised.
PETER: Home now?
WIFE: I've lots of work to do, but a chronic complainant has been botherig me all day.
MONTAGE OF WHAT PETER HAS DONE EARLIER
A. After court work, Peter immediately contacts a plumber.
B. At home, Peter watches the plumber replacing pipes under the sink.
C. Having paid the plumber, Peter cleans the floor.
D. Peter contacts the management and a uniformed STAFF appears to take photos of the bathroom condition.
END MONTAGE
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The chronic complainant worries that water will flood her apartment and the lift shafts during the night...
Act 2
FLASHBACK
INT. COURTHOUSE - 10:30
Peter is prosecuting. We hear the DEFENDANT requesting an adjournment.
DEFENDANT (to the bench): I've just got a message that my son feels sick in school...
PETER (V.O.): Prioritizing family obligations over other things is important.
Later, during a break, Peter chats with his ASSISTANT.
PETER: You've just begun your career. But for me, I don't want to work until I die.
INT. CHA CHAAN TENG - 13:15
Smartphone in hand, Peter is reading an article about Charlie Munger.
PETER (V.O.): A good friend shares it with me. I now understand that I invested at the wrong time and my investments are too diversified.
Nodding.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'll restrategize when circumstances permit.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): He has lived 99 years. I believe there's a correlation between wealth and long life.
As a plate of Fried Vermicelli with Sliced Beef is put on the table, Peter sees a message from a brother.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): What's the matter?
Peter reads the message and attachments.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): They're about unpaid bills relating to our mother's home.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.): Probably, there wasn't enough money in my bank account for the auto-pay to go through.
Peter types: I'll settle them after work.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Our old mother is cash-rich. She never spends any but enjoys keeping money in bank accounts.
Then, Peter sees another message: Your current bank account is overdrawn.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): OMG, I don't know about that at all!
As his smartphone rings, Peter hears: "Wealth Manager".
PETER (to phone): Yes, what's happening? I haven't issued any cheques with that account.
MANAGER (from phone): Oh, your financial insurer has been debiting money from that account...
INT. STUDY - 19:00
We hear: Henry Kissinger dies aged 100...
PETER (V.O.): In his teens, he attended school at night and worked in a factory during the day.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In the 1970s, he changed the world for a while. At age 100, he still strived to shape US-China relations.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): What I want to learn from him is how to live to 100 years with style.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): No matter how strong people can be physically and mentally, there're breaking points.
RETURN TO PRESENT
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
On Peter's smartphone screen, we see an animated AI drawing entitled "Breaking Points".
PETER (V.O.): In life, there're multiple moments or factors leading to breaking points.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I believe I can bear the overwhelming demands and pressures I face. I strive to keep control too.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I like to think that breaking points are opportunities for me to rebuild myself the way I wish I had been all along.
FADE OUT
THE END
Breaking Points
Updated: Dec 1, 2023
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