FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM/SITTING ROOM - 22:45 (THE NIGHT BEFORE)
PETER hears his wife calling him loudly.
WIFE: Peter! Come out quickly!
Rushing to the sitting room, Peter sees their smaller turtle struggling in a pool of blood in the turtle box.
PETER: Oh dear!
WIFE: I've heard that there're reptile vets. Let's research.
Having researched with their phones, they share their research results.
PETER: I suggest this one.
WIFE: Same here. It opens 24 hours a day.
As his wife is making a call, Peter lends an ear to the conversation and nods.
WIFE (Cont'd): An appointment with a reptile vet is fixed. Tomorrow, at 2.00 pm.
Act 2
INT. HKUST BUSINESS SCHOOL, CENTRAL - 12:15
Meeting. Sitting among LADIES and GENTLEMEN, Peter looks restless.
PETER (V.O.): I seldom leave before the end of a meeting. But today, I don't want to delay our turtle's medical appointment.
EXT. ROADS - 13:15
Carrying steadily a covered box with a turtle inside, Peter rushes towards a MTR station.
PETER (V.O.): Don't worry, you aren't alone. I'm with you.
We hear Peter speaking "Hand, Hand" to the box from time to time.
MONTAGE OF PETER'S ENGAGEMENT WITH THE SMALLER TURTLE
A. Bathtub. Two turtles of different sizes are there. Lowering his hand, Peter says: "Hand, Hand"
B. Hearing "Hand, Hand", the smaller turtle responds to Peter's call and gets close to his hand.
C. After holding the turtle's hands gently, Peter massages the turtle's shoulders.
D. And then, Peter treats his fingers as baits and let the turtle bite them.
END MONTAGE
INT. REPTILE CLINIC, TAI WAI - 14:00
Reception. Peter and his younger SON appear. Having checked the turtle, a RECEPTIONIST does the registration.
RECEPTIONIST: What's the name of the turtle?
PETER: Erh...I don't call her by any name.
RECEPTIONIST: Peter Cheung then.
SON: Her name is Nana, actually.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.): She's actually one of my son's pets.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): His original wish, over 18 years ago, was a baby panda...
Later, inside a consultation room, an ASSISTANT enters data in a computer as he asks Peter and his son questions.
ASSISTANT: So this is Nana's first time seeing a vet...
The Assistant then puts Nana on a white weighing scale. After awhile, as Nana sticks out her head, Peter captures the moment.
PETER (V.O.): Nana must be curious as to what's happening to her.
Later, a VET and his TRAINEE appear. Examining Nana from head to tail and top to bottom, the vet explains to Peter and his son his preliminary diagnosis.
VET: Any questions?
PETER: Nana has to be hospitalized, right?
VET: Definitely.
Later, the Assistant presents to Peter a list of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and the financial estimates. Peter signs and pays.
PETER (V.O.): That's how I can help Nana.
INT. STUDY - 17:38
Phone ringing.
PETER (V.O.): I don't expect anyone calling now.
We hear from the phone someone saying: ...Nana's conditions are far from good...
Act 3
INT. SITTING ROOM/BEDROOM - 21:00
Having discussed solemnly, Peter, his wife and their son seem to have reached a consensus.
WIFE: In determining what to do next, the welfare of Nana is the paramount consideration.
PETER (V.O.): Now, I realize that until one has loved a small animal, a part of one's soul remains unawaken.
Peter goes to the bedroom.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd):The most beautiful thing in this world can't be seen or heard; it must be felt with the heart.
THE END
FADE OUT
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