Life Is Like A Hotpot
FADE IN:
INT. STUDY - DAY
PETER answers a call.
PETER
(Over the phone)
I've to decline the two-day
hearing brief, commencing
on Nov. 15. It's my daughter's
graduation ceremony.
INT. CORRIDOR/SLEEPING ROOM - DAY
Peter's DAUGHTER (22) resembles Peter and dresses nicely, knocks at the door. Peter and his WIFE are still in bed.
DAUGHTER
We've to go in 15 minutes!
They rise instantly.
INT. LECTURE THEATRE - DAY
Peter and his wife are among the audience. We see on a big screen a congregation proceeding.
The VICE-CHANCELLOR spoke in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
PETER (V.O.)
Telling short stories multi-lingually
is customer-friendly.
EXT. UNIVERSITY CAMPUS - DAY
Crowded with roped youngsters. Peter and Peter's wife meet up with their waiting daughter.
WIFE
We couldn't catch a glimpse of
you!
DAUGHTER
Naturally. I'm just one among the
many. There's another ceremony
in my College.
Their daughter leads them to a College.
PETER (V.O.)
I used to drive her here when
she was a first-year under-
graduate. When was that? Yes,
just months after my retirement.
They arrive at the College entrance.
PETER (Cont'd) (V.O.)
Now, she's graduated and is
working full-time. I've retired
over four years. Am I done?
INT. COLLEGE THEATRE - DAY
Peter and his wife sit in the crowded dress circle. We see roped personnel sitting on stage only. A GENTLEMAN (50s) speaks at the podium.
GENTLEMAN
My Chinese isn't very good.
But I 'd speak in Chinese in
this University...
PETER (V.O.)
Sounds like any Hongkonger.
GENTLEMAN
...Life is a like a box of chocolates
...you never know what you're
gonna get...
PETER (V.O.)
When the Gump film was released
the graduates weren't born yet...
Pausing.
PETER (Cont'd) (V.O.)
If they get a box of chocolates, they
know they get chocolates.
FLASHBACK
EXT. HKU CAMPUS - DAY (1981)
Peter (27) talks to SOMEONE (19).
PETER
I'm a freshman... a mature
student... I'm already 27.
SOMEONE takes a deep look at Peter.
RETURN TO PRESENT
We see Peter and Peter's wife focusing their lens on activities near the stage down below.
Upon hearing a PRESENTER announcing "Cheung Ying", they put their cameras in action.
Conferment of degrees ends. We see and hear a roped GRADUATE speaking on stage.
PETER (V.O.)
She talks loosely, not knowing
what to share... Her emotions
overcome her logic. She's not
mature yet.
INT. DINNING ROOM - NIGHT
Peter's family talks over a Chinese hotpot meal.
PETER
(to Daughter)
How did you find the speech
of the gentleman at the
College ceremony?
DAUGHTER
Nothing special.
PETER (V.O.)
I'm not surprised.
Looking at raw food put on the table, Peter picks up a piece of raw beef with chopsticks and dips it into the hotpot.
PETER (V.O.)
Life is like a hotpot. If you
didn't put anything into it,
you won't know what you're
gonna get.
Pausing.
PETER (Cont'd) (V.O.)
But if you put raw beef into
a hotpot and keep it under
control, you'll know what
you're gonna get - from rare
to well done.
Pausing again.
PETER (Cont'd) (V.O.)
Our future is basically in our
own hands. I can testify to
that. And, I'm not done yet!
Having done the beef medium-rare, Peter looks pleased and eats it.
FADE OUT. The End