FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - 20:45
Sitting in a corner, PETER is listening to the radio. The anchor reports Today in History.
PETER (V.O.): The events weren't historic at all. Let me do my research.
Researching with his smart phone, Peter reads the results.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): On Oct 18, 1867, US took formal possession of Alaska from Russia. That's historic.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): With hindsight, it was one transaction Russia might want to avoid.
Pondering.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Is the time always right to do what is right?
Act 2
FLASHBACK
INT. STUDY - 10:00 (TODAY)
Glued to his phone screen, Peter reads a Quora answer request: Within the last year, what's your biggest achievement?
PETER (V.O.): What a good reminder for self-appraisal!
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Qualitative outcomes are hard to measure and difficult to explain.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Let me give a quantifiable one.
Inserting an image of his publications, Peter types on screen: I've written 365 screenplays.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Intellectually, I enjoy the creative process. Creatively, I see them as my intellectual legacy. Economically, I've copyright in my works.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If I can't capitalize on my portfolio during my lifetime, perhaps my children or grandchildren can.
EXT. TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT - 11:30 (TODAY)
Counter. Getting a green booklet with his photo on it, Peter looks pleased.
PETER (V.O.): It's great that I've to apply for the International Driving Permit again. I haven't driven outside of Hong Kong for over two years now.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I must recheck again the expiry date of my passport. I didn't have to worry about it before the pandemic.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My wife, our younger daughter and I will visit UK in Nov.
EXT. SWIMMING POOL - 17:15
Raining, Peter is the only swimmer.
PETER (V.O.): It's a pleasant surprise that the pool reopens soon after the typhoon signal was lowered.
Swimming breaststrokes.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've begun learning to play "A Summer Place" on piano. And I've prepared very well for my clients' cases.
Swimming freestyle.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Today, I got farewell messages from the President HKUST. Oct 18, 2022 is his last day on duty.
Swimming backstrokes.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Since 2015, I've been working with him in HKUST.
Swimming butterfly style.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): While colleagues wishing him well, I've shared what I did soon after retirement.
Leaving the pool, Peter thanks the LIFEGUARDS.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): "I wrote a screenplay entitled: 24 Hours Before & After (Retirement)."
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I know how hard it is to leave a job one loves.
END FLASHBACK
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Peter works on his laptop.
PETER (V.O.): People move on and life evolves. As an ordinary person, I can't write History.
Typing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Living in the present, I know for every act I've done, its becoming the past.
Typing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I think the time is always right for me to write my true stories.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And I won't miss my future too.
We see by Peter's side his International Driving Permit dated 18 Oct 2022.
THE END
.
FADE OUT
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