FADE IN
Act 1
INT. STUDY - 13:00
Checking his phone's mail inbox, PETER sees a mail with the heading "IVLP Alum Call to Action" and the logo of the US Department of State.
PETER (V.O.): IVLP - The International Visitor Leadership Program?
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Yes, I was an IVLP participant in 2007; and I had a one-month study tour in US.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Originally, the US Consulate in Hong Kong nominated my participation in 2004, but I declined.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In early 2004, the WTO Secretary General appointed me to act as a Dispute Settlement Panelist in two trade-related IP cases. In one case, the Complainant was US.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In 2007, I got my second bite on the cherry. One feature of IVLP is to share success stories.
Act 2
FLASHBACK
INT. MCL PLUS, HOLLYWOOD PLAZA, DIAMOND HILL - 22.00 (YESTERDAY)
Peter and his WIFE are watching the film "Top Gun: Maverick".
PETER (V.O.): "Maverick" and "Iceman" are call signs.
FLASHBACK UPON FLASHBACK
INT. HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL - DAY (2003)
Lecture theatre. Waiting for the lecture to begin, Peter reads a booklet on Program Participants.
PETER (V.O.): Several of my classmates are US colonel pilots. They've just returned from the war in Iraq.
COLONEL (to All): I suggest we use call signs rather than names to communicate.
PETER (V.O.): Call signs? Like nicknames?
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I love carrot juice. Should my call sign be "Carrot"?
END FLASHBACK UPON FLASHBACK
On the silver screen, we see low-altitude flying scenes and hear characters calling:..."Hangman"... "Rooster" ...and "Goose"...
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But the intellectual life at Harvard isn't like the US Army or Navy. Only those having the background would actually use call signs informally.
RETURN TO PRESENT
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I took part in IVLP in 2007, it was a down-to-Earth learning experience.
MONTAGE OF PETER'S IVLP STUDYING TOUR IN APRIL 2007
A. New York. LaGuardia Airport. Transiting, Peter is greeted by OFFICIAL#1.
B. Washington DC. Various Departments. Peter and PEERS are being briefed by OFFICIALS#2-#10.
C. Charleston, South Carolina. A HOST takes Peter and two PEERS in a small boat to venture out the North Atlantic Ocean.
D. Broadway, New York. Accompanied by ESCOURT#1-2, Peter and PEERS watch the musical "Colour Purple".
E. Indianapolis, Indiana. Peter and some PEERS visit the headquarters of Eli Lily. Below the "Welcome" sign, Peter sees "欢迎" and then below it, the equivalent in other languages.
F. Redmond, Washington. Accompanied by ESCOURTS#1-2 Peter and PEERS visit the Headquarters of Microsoft Corp. Peter gets in touch with a friend working there.
END MONTAGE
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): To be able to visit the midwestern city of Indianapolis was particularly exciting.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In our first briefing in Indianapolis, we learned about its nickname "Indiana-no-place".
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But people heard about the world's largest single-day sporting event - the "Indianapolis 500".
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That's why my peers and I were anxious to go to the "Indianapolis 500" stadium to have a feel.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): We took fun photos as if the sporting event was taken place during our visit.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Even that, we knew very well we're having once-in-a-lifetime moments.
Act 3
INT. STUDY -CONTINOUS
Peter continues to read the mail content.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's an invitation to me to join an online story-telling session concerning ending human trafficking.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Weeks ago, when I couldn't find the hat I bought in “Indianapolis 500” in my shoulder bag, I thought I had lost it.
Smiling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): As I was about to panic, I discovered that I was wearing it on my head.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): While it's unlikely that I'd go to Indiana-no-place again, my memories of having been there can last a lifetime.
THE END
FADE OUT
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