FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - 21:30
PETER is checking images on his smart phone. We hear from the radio: China's Covid-19 cases have come to a new record...
PETER (V.O.): Despite its strict lockdown measures which impact on the economy and people's lives.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Hong Kong's Covid-19 cases top 9000 again today. And the no. of infected patients in serious or critical condition has also risen.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I sympathize the families of those Covid-19 patients who have died. The deceased aren't just numbers in statistics.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Due to the pandemic, I suspended my monthly travel hobby from March 2020.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): As the pandemic will never end, I thought I might never be ready to resume it.
Act 2
FLASHBACK
INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT (AUG. 2022)
After dinner, Peter talks to his WIFE solemnly.
PETER: We're going to see our younger's congregation in early Nov. What if one of us gets Covid -19 while in England?
WIFE: Don't worry about it!
PETER: We've heard about the UK situation. The risk isn't low, we've got to be smart to manage it and get prepared.
WIFE: Prepared for what? You haven't got it yet.
PETER: We'd have an understanding on what to do should that happen.
WIFE: Good money and holidays shouldn't be thrown away just because one of us couldn't make it.
PETER: While there's nothing much others can help when one is being isolated, there's a risk that I might be in a serious or critical condition.
WIFE: No, you won't...
PETER: But we don't know for sure.
PETER (V.O.): But my wife is right. If I wait until I'm ready, I may never go.
MONTAGE OF COVID-19 INFECTIONS/ISOLATIONS OF PETER'S FAMILY.
A. Sept 2022. Younger DAUGHTER has sore throats. Covid-19 RAT tested positive.
B. RATs are negative, Peter, his wife and the MAID don't leave home to comply with isolation orders.
C. Routinely, Peter's wife and the maid work in the kitchen to prepare food for all. Younger daughter recovers after 10 days.
D. Oct, 2022. The maid has coughs and diarrhea. Covid-19 RAT tested positive. When the maid has gone to a community isolation centre, Peter's wife sanitizes the home.
E. Days later, Peter and his wife are happy to see their RAT negative results.
END MONTAGE
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): While my wife was worried that she might have been infected, I saw myself as the last healthy one to support the family.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Fortunately, both my wife and I didn't get it, while our younger daughter and the maid have become invincible to the disease.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): So, when we went to England early this month, only my wife and I were still at risk.
FLASHBACK
INT. BOURNEMOUTH INTERNATIONAL CENTRE - DAY (Nov 7, 2022)
University congregation. Full house. BAND#1 is playing music. We see NO ONE wearing face masks. Peter and his wife are among the SPECTATORS.
PETER (V.O.): But for this function, we won't travel out of Hong Kong.
Later, a fully-packed reception. BAND#2 is singing songs. PEOPLE including Peter, his wife, their younger daughter are eating, drinking and chatting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): What's coming will come and we'll meet it when it does.
INT. A RELATIVE'S HOME, LOCKS HEATH - NIGHT (Nov 8, 2022)
At a bar table, Peter, his wife and younger daughter are chatting with RELATIVES#1 & 2.
PETER: Before coming here, we've checked that our RAT results are still negative.
WIFE: As you're visiting Hong Kong in Dec, we'll report to you our first-hand experience about Hong Kong's Covid-19 restrictions for inbound persons...
RETURN TO PRESENT
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Peter selects an image depicting a congregation.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Facing the pandemic, there's almost no such thing as ready.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): While we're still in England, my wife and I changed our Covid-19 understanding ie we're in this together - and we'll get through this, together.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Life is full of unpredictable challenges. Be informed and prepared, be smart and safe - just stay ready!
THE END
FADE OUT
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