FADE IN
Act 1
EXT. CAR PARK, HKUST - 09:50
Getting out of his silver coupe, PETER walks towards the Shaw Auditorium.
PETER (V.O.): Robing is at 10:00.
Walking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Since 2019, I've been joining HKUST's congregation as a Council Member.
Walking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's one of the happy moments for the participants and HKUST.
INT. FOYER, HKUST - 10:05
Robed in dark blue, Peter sees a LADY robed in red.
PETER (V.O.): She's going to get an honorary doctorate. I know who she's, but she doesn't know me. Should I go the extra mile?
Act 2
FLASHBACK
EXT. A MAKESHIFT SHED - DAY (1977)
An old MECHANIC and his young APPRENTICE are repairing a blue Pontiac. A MAN (51) gives them instructions. A GENTLEMAN (45) and Peter (23) look on.
PETER (V.O.): The Pontiac belongs to the gentleman. He's a music conductor. My boss knows car-repairing theories. He asks me to join and learn on the spot.
Peter sees the mechanic and the apprentice making their hands very dirty.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm surprised that a prestigious car is being repaired here.
MAN: Although US automobiles are big, their design is simple.
Peter talks to the gentleman.
PETER: I'm interested in music but have no opportunity to learn formally. My girlfriend is studying music at CUHK.
GENTLEMAN: Is that right?
PETER (V.O.): That's the only small talk I can do.
APPRENTICE: Done.
MAN (to the Mechanic): Can you do a road test now?
MECHANIC: No...I don't have a driving licence.
PETER (V.O.): OMG!
The man then goes inside the Pontiac.
END FLASHBACK
As Peter and the Lady have eye contacts, Peter introduces himself to her.
PETER: You don't know me. I'm Peter Cheung. I had one special encounter with your father in the 1970s.
Peter tells the story.
LADY: Yes, I remember my father's blue Pontiac. He's 91 now, but is being hospitalized.
PETER: Exceeding the average 85 life-expectancy, he's enjoying his bonus.
LADY: My father might be able to remember his good old days...
PETER: My boss's name is K C LUN.
LADY: Oh, his son was my father's music student. I was 15-16.
PETER: Please pass my kindest regards to your father, reminding him the good old days when his Pontiac needed some occasional maintenance.
LADY: I'll certainly do that.
PETER: Let's take a selfie together.
Peter uses his smartphone to take a selfie of them. Peter then gets the lady's phone no. and sends the image via WhatsApp.
PETER (V.O.): She needs to show something to his father.
INT. SHAW AUDITORIUM - 11:45
Sitting on stage, Peter takes snapshots discreetly.
PETER (V.O.): My angle is unique. I'd like to take some for the lady since we're connected.
As the lady is called to rise, a PROFESSOR does the citation.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Not sure if my little story about her father's Pontiac and car maintenance could improve his father's mood and well-being.
The PRESIDENT confers an honourable doctorate to the lady. Then she speaks.
LADY:...it's unfortunate that my parents couldn't come to witness this...
Act 3
EXT. CAR PARK, SILVERSTRAND - 16: 45
Carrying his swimming gear, a wet-haired Peter gets inside his silver coupe and then checks a WhatsApp notification: Like your profile pic.
PETER (V.O.): It's from the lady. What's my profile pic?
Tapping Settings in WhatsApp, Peter sees his image, depicting a happy performing moment on stage.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): What we want is the extra - the emotional bonus we get when doing something.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): While I'm not paid for doing voluntary work at HKUST, I see unexpected outcome as bonus.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Yes, always go the extra mile to get the bonus.
THE END
FADE OUT
留言