A Shanghai Trip
FADE IN:
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY
A GROUP is having dim sums. PETER shows a phone image and circulates it around the table.
A beat.
A GENTLEMAN passes the phone back to Peter.
GENTLEMAN
Someone called you just
then.
Peter nods and checks his phone.
PETER
Oh, he finally sends me
the particulars of my flight
itinerary.
Peter keys:"Received." and then touches "SEND".
INT - STUDY - NIGHT
Peter works on his computer. Mobile devices by his side. The wall clock registers 1:30am.
PETER (V.O.)
What a busy day! Only now
can I do my online checkin.
Peter checks an image in one device and keys in some letters and numerals in a template in his computer screen. Then he looks shocked.
PETER (V.O.)
Oh, flight numbers are
right, but the direction
is wrong! I should be
flying out from Hong Kong,
not from Shanghai!
He anxiously works on his computer.
PETER (V.O.)
I can't change my flights
at my end. I shouldn't have
taken it for granted...
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)
I didn't... He thought I only
needed to present myself
at the airline counter.
MONTAGE OF PETER'S SALVAGING THE OPERATION.
INT. STUDY - NIGHT
A/ He sends a message and then another.
B/ He calls, but his call was not answered.
C/ He sends another message.
D/ He looks exhausted and leaves the study.
INT. SLEEPING ROOM - DAY
E/ A call wakes him up.
F/ He answers it and then reads a message.
G/ He keys in a reply.
I/ He says gently to his sleepy wife: "...My flight itinerary has changed! I can't come back in time for the Christmas concert."
EXT. AIRPORT BUS STOP - DAY
J/ He gets off with his small luggage.
END MONTAGE
INT. AIRLINE COUNTER - DAY
Peter checks in before a STAFF.
STAFF
We've only a window seat left.
PETER
No problem. My flight was
booked just two hours ago.
Holding a boarding pass, Peter looks relieved.
INT - AIRPORT CARPARK - NIGHT
Waiting at a loading area at B1, Peter consults a TRAFFIC CONTROLLER nearby. He walks downstairs and waits at B2.
He sends images and engages in phone conversations. He focuses on number plates of arriving cars. Then a car pulls in and Peter shouts at a MAN (70) at the driver seat to stop and then he gets in.
PETER
At last!
MAN
I couldn't find the entrance and
have been driving around the
highways near the airport...
PETER
(Looking around the interior)
Wow, you've got so many
stuff inside your car...
MAN
It has also run over 270,000 kms...
EXT. HOTEL ENTRANCE - NIGHT
Peter gets off the car. As he watches the man reversing the car and parking it in front of the hotel, we hear a loud squeaking sound.
EXT. HUANGPU RIVERSIDE - NIGHT
A WOMAN (55), the man and Peter walk leisurely in the midst of lights from near and far.
PETER
(To the man)
After my visit next morning, I'll
go to the airport direct.
MAN
I'll drive you there... I remember
your flight is at 1.00pm.
PETER
No, you've changed it to 4.15pm.
The man looks surprised.
PETER (Cont'd)
I didn't want to make changes
to your rebooking as time was
tight.
PETER (V.O.)
I'll miss a Christmas concert as a
result of that...
EXT. HIGHWAY TO PUDONG AIRPORT - DAY
A car from the fast lane suddenly slows down and cuts into the slow lane. We hear horns and shouts from cars passing by. After a few cranking sounds, the man and Peter get off the car.
MAN
I need to call roadside assistance.
You try to catch a taxi.
Peter with his baggage waits at the roadside as the man makes calls.
A beat.
A taxi pulls in and flashes its lights. Peter waves to stop it and gets inside.
PETER
Terminal 1 please.
DRIVER
Cash and no receipt?
PETER
Yes.
The taxi pulls off and its meter is not running. Peter looks relaxed and bids farewell to the man. He then takes out from his wallet a hundred dollar note and has it ready in his hand.
A beat.
The taxi arrives Terminal 1.
PETER
How much is that?
DRIVER
100.
Peter passes him the note.
PETER (V.O.)
I was more fortunate than him.
My first experience of getting
a taxi at a highway, timely!
Both the taxi and Peter leave the loading area swiftly.
FADE OUT. The End