FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - 07:30
PETER wakes up.
PETER (V.O.): I slept well.
Peter does exercises.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I 've to file my tax return today. But I haven't got the calculations right.
INT. STUDY - 08:00
Working before a desktop, Peter checks journal entries, fills in numbers in a profit and loss account and a balance sheet.
PETER (V.O.): I learned bookkeeping and accounting while reading my diploma in Housing Management in the late 1970s.
A calculator in hand, Peter checks the subtotals and totals.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Mine should be very simple, but there's still a discrepancy.
Act 2
INT. STUDY - 09:30
Having set up his iPad Mini, Peter reads accounting sheets on his smartphone screen.
PETER (V.O.): They're annexes to a paper that will be discussed via Zoom.
From the iPad Mini, someone on screen says: Hi Mr Cheung...
PETER (to iPad Mini):Hi Tim, I'm very impressed with the particulars annexed to the paper...
PETER (V.O.): I know a lot of work has gone into it.
When the Zoom meeting ends, Peter continues with his calculations.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Yes! I've done it!
INT. POST OFFICE - 13:45
Counter. We see Peter posting a green letter.
PETER (V.O.): Beating the deadline is a stress reliever.
INT. FASTFOOD RESTAURANT - 14:00
Peter is having a light meal.
PETER (V.O.) : I've a meeting in Central in an hour.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I was young, I had no worry about time, but I had lots of stress about having insufficient money.
Peter checks Yahoo!Finance on his phone screen.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): For the stocks I invested, I've lost 3% less today. My investment has been a big financial stress to me.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Before I invested in stocks, sitting on idle cash was also a financial stress to me.
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM, CENTRAL - 15:00
PARTICIPANTS. Peter's designated seat is next to LADY#1. We see lots of accounting on a big screen. Then, a big cake is served to Lady#1.
PETER (V.O.): Her colleagues know that she hasn't had time for lunch.
LADY#1: Oh, it's too much...
Lady#1 then offers half of the cake to Peter who accepts it cheerfully.
PRESENTERS and ATTENDEES exchange ideas as Peter listens actively.
PETER (V.O.): As we invest in our future, can we have a balanced budget?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Most stress is caused by having little money. Staying calm is easier said than done.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): For me, it's very easy to let financial stress get into me.
Peter makes an intervention.
PETER:...I feel the financial stress...
ALL react strongly to Peter's emotive remark. Lady#1 begins to rub Peter's shoulder.
PETER (V.O.): What a kind stress reliever!
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I always want to be free from any financial stress.
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - 23:00
Staring at one of his AI drawings, Peter is in thoughts.
PETER (V.O.): Money is the most practical stress reliever.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Meanwhile, let me stop focusing on how stressed I'm but on what I can control.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Reminding myself of the good things in life, I should be able to persuade myself to stay positive.
FADE OUT
THE END
Stress Reliever
Updated: Jun 3, 2023
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