FADE IN
Act 1
INT. STUDY - 21:00
As PETER types "Ground at Kai Tak" in the search bar of his phone, we see on screen: Grounded at Kai Tak: Chinese Aircraft Impounded in Hong Kong, 1949-1952.
PETER (V.O.): It's my friend's latest publication. His book on Hong Kong Tenancy Law was first published in 1985.
Scrolling up the screen, Peter sees a Youtube video clip.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, it's his book talk on Feb 16, 2023. I missed that.
Peter taps the "Play" arrow. We see and hear the Moderator doing the introduction.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): He's one of those who interviewed me in my HKU Law School admission interview back in 1981.
Listening.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My friend used to teach me Property Law in the early 1980s. In the 2000s, he agreed to be my wife's pupil master.
We see on screen a Gentleman with a tie speaking.
Act 2
FLASHBACK
INT. JAPANESE RESTAURANT - NIGHT (DAYS AGO)
Peter and his WIFE are having dinner with their FRIEND and the FRIEND'S WIFE. Peter engages his friend, his wife their friend's wife.
PETER: Apart from flying to Hong Kong to give your book talks, any plan to fly elsewhere?
FRIEND: No.
PETER: After flying to UK last Nov, my wife and I flew to Seoul in Jan. Days ago, my younger son and I flew to Sapporo.
FRIEND: Days ago, we visited Fanling. The place triggered my memories. I've become nostalgic about Hong Kong.
FLASHBACK UPON FLASHBACK
INT. CHINESE RESTAURANT - DAY (2021)
Peter and his wife are having lunch with their friend and the friend's wife.
FRIEND: We're leaving Hong Kong for good. We don't have anything to miss.
END FLASHBACK UPON FLASHBACK
PETER: You miss the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong?
FRIEND: No. I'm okay with a quiet life.
PETER (V.O.): Yes, his previous residences in Hong Kong were in the quiet parts of NT.
FRIEND (Cont'd): Do you know there were talks about a possible Ping Shan airfield?
PETER: No. I've never heard of it.
FRIEND (Cont'd): It was never built...another airdrome site at Sheung Che, Pat Heung was also considered.
PETER: Is it the same as the Sek Kong Airfield?
INT. STUDY - DAY (THE NEXT DAY)
Peter is reading texts on screen.
PETER (V.O.): When WWII ended, a preliminary ground survey was done for a possible Ping Shan airfield.
Reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The planned runway would pass through Tin Sum...That's where I lived from 1960-1983.
Reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If the proposed Ping Shan airfield was built, I wouldn't have lived in Tin Sum and won't be nostalgic about the place.
Researching.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I can't find any objective documentary evidence about the proposed Sheung Che airdrome site.
Reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But I read that Tang Pak Kau supported the Govt to construct the Sek Kong Airfield.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Through the father of my brother-in-law, Tang Pau Kau's son Tang Kin-sum recommended me to teach in Pak Kau English College in Kam Tin.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That's how I got my first full-time job in 1973 at the age of 19.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I had been grounded until 1979, when I flew for the first time from Kai Tak to the Philippines.
RETURN TO PRESENT
We hear from the screen: I just want to wet people's appetite... I stop here.
Act 3
INT. STUDY - CONTINUOUS
From his Photos App, Peter selects an aircraft image.
PETER (V.O.): I took the photo at the Kai Tak Runway Park. Those aircraft grounded at Kai Tak before I was born must look very old.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): To me, "Grounded at Kai Tak" tells the story that nothing is worse than being grounded when one has good plans.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When adversity strikes, one has to be calm. So stay grounded before one can press on, strongly.
FADE OUT
THE END
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