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Writer's picturePeter K F Cheung SBS

Pleasant Surprises

  1. FADE IN.


  2. Act 1


  3. INT. BEDROOM - 07:00


  4. PETER opens his eyes.


  5. PETER (V.O.): I didn't sleep well.


  6. Pausing.


  7. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I was excited to get back my 32-year-old coupe in the morning. The repair had taken over 3 months.

  8. Pausing.


  9. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I also felt unease about my prediction that the stock market would rise today. If I was wrong, I won't have much cash to buy low again.


  10. Peter touches his back.


  11. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My back pain has recurred. And I've a workshop cum reception to attend at the International Finance Center (IFC) in the afternoon.


  12. Peter gets up.


  13. Act 2


  14. INT. STUDY - 09:30


  15. Smartphone in hand, Peter checks his entrepreneurship fund and sees numerals in green.


  16. PETER (V.O.): Okay, the stock market is rising. Hope the market force is strong this time.


  17. INT. CAR REPAIRER - 11:15


  18. Inspecting the engine parts of a red coupes, Peter chats with a MECHANIC.


  19. PETER: So the worn parts have all been replaced?


  20. MECHANIC: Yes, it was a challenge to get the tailor-made parts.


  21. Peter pays at the CASHIER.


  22. PETER (V.O.): The repair cost isn't low. The car repairer needs profits too.


  23. Happily, Peter drives away his old coupe.


  24. INT. MTR CABIN - 13:00


  25. Standing, Peter watches kindergarten pupils occupying all the priority seats.


  26. PETER (V.O.): I usually don't care. But today, I need to put some Ammeltz lotion on my back. Would anyone of them offer me a seat?


  27. Peter refocuses on his smartphone screen.


  28. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, the stock market continues to rise. Some investors may take profits soon.


  29. INT. 5708, IFC TWO - 13:55


  30. Arriving, Peter sees the stylised logo: SCIA HK.


  31. PETER (V.O.): The Secretary-General from Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA) extended the invitation to me.


  32. Smiling.


  33. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Having heard me singing a trilingual song entitled Don't Make Me Blue in a cruise, he made me an arbitrator.


  34. Recalling.


  35. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I used to go to SCIA premises at the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. But the pandemic has disrupted the practice.


  36. Pausing.


  37. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I believe one reason to hold the workshop is to celebrate the intake of a new SCIA tower in Shenzhen.


  38. Opening remarks are being made on screens.


  39. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The mixed-mode engagement is common these days.


  40. A LADY on screen is speaking.


  41. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Ah, the last time we met in Hong Kong was about 10 years ago.


  42. Pausing.


  43. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I haven't told her that she inspired me to write the song Don't Make Me Blue.


  44. Then, talks begin.


  45. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): What's happening to the stock market should keep me awake.


  46. Peter is attracted to the flashing green numerals.

  47. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Well, I've recovered 1/3 of my loss in one trading day! Isn't life full of surprises?


  48. Refocusing on the workshop, Peter looks bewildered.


  49. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): SCIA HK actually stands for "South China International Arbitration Center". It's a separate Hong Kong entity, although it collaborates with SCIA.


  50. INT. GLASSHOUSE, IFC - 19::00


  51. Joining a reception, Peter hears someone singing:...What a wonderful world.


  52. PETER (V.O.): He imitates Louis Armstrong well.


  53. Finishing his orange juice, Peter leaves.


  54. Act 3


  55. INT. BEDROOM - 23:00


  56. PETER (V.O.): The roof area outside the Glasshouse is nice. I've captured a few photos.


  57. Pausing.


  58. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Predicting the stock market is a very difficult business. I was proven right today.


  59. Pausing.


  60. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Tomorrow is another trading day. If I've low expectations, I should have more pleasant surprises.


  61. Pausing.


  62. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Meanwhile, I feel good that I've reunited with my coupe. I'll fill up its tank and make it shine.


  63. Peter sleeps.


  64. FADE OUT


  65. THE END







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