FADE IN
Act 1
Both PETER and his WIFE arrive home with their baggage. KAJI, the family pet, greets them enthusiastically.
PETER: She's so very happy!
WIFE: Of course! She hasn't seen us for 11 days.
Speaking to Kaji.
PETER: We bought lots of stuff for you in Niigata.
WIFE: The same food stuff we buy in Hong Kong costing $130 is sold at $30 in Japan.
Speaking to Kaji.
WIFE (Cont'd): But I'm too tired to show you right now.
PETER: I feel exhausted too.
As his wife settles into a massage chair, Peter goes to the bedroom.
Act 2
INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Having lied down and rested in bed for a while, Peter gets up.
PETER (V.O): I feel just slightly refreshed.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): While travelling, we're always on the move.
INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Appearing, Peter sees his wife emptying dirty clothes from her baggage. He follows suit.
PETER (V.O): Let our maid take care of them meanwhile.
WIFE: We'll have a quick and casual dinner at home so that we can rest more quick.
PETER: Sure! We've had lots of great eating experience for the past 11 days.
INT. BEDROOM - 10:00
Sitting by bedside, Peter is reading texts in the laptop.
PETER (V.O): I'm the Chair of HKUST's Knowledge Transfer Committee and have important responsibilities.
Peter looks at his sleeping wife at times.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I need to go through the materials thoroughly as a Committee meeting is coming up.
Later, his WIFE wakes up. She then checks the time.
WIFE: Wow, I've slept on-and-off for 14 hours.
PETER: While travelling, you slept late and woke up early.
WIFE: Yes, we enjoyed the onsen late at night and early in the morning.
INT. DINING ROOM - 13:30
His wife is having sandwiches as Peter appears.
PETER: You're having breakfast...
Recalling.
PETER (V.O): She could have the orange jam she bought in Mashiko. As the bottle of jam was inside her carry-on bag, she had to surrender it to the security.
Smiling.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): We did open the bottle and savor a bit of the jam...
Peter talks to the MAID.
PETER: Please make a bowl of instant noodles for me.
PETER (to Wife): I'll have my quick lunch as a Zoom meeting with my Committee Secretary is coming up.
INT. STUDY - 15:30
Having finished the Zoom meeting, Peter types on screen.
PETER (V.O): On second thoughts, I've got a simpler solution option...
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Now, I can discuss with a solicitor about a brief...
Peter then engages in a lengthy telephone conversation.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): He wrote to me while I was still motoring in the Nikko area.
Then, Peter checks an incoming email with attachments.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Yes, I've a professional appointment coming Monday...And now is Friday evening already?
Act 3
INT. LIVING ROOM - 21:00
Peter inserts an AI drawing entitled "The Weary Return..." to a draft.
PETER (V.O): Gradually recovering from our post-travel fatigue, my wife and I have just walked our pet in the riverside and seaside gardens.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): While I was discharging my responsibilities, my wife reckoned that she forgot to put the iced cheese cakes she bought at duty free inside the fridge.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I comforted her that we had already bought air tickets to visit Japan again in August. I also suggested to make an additional trip to Japan in June - my kind of work-life balance now.
FADE OUT
THE END
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