Scene #1

Time:            Day

Location:      Front gate, primary school

Character(s): Simon (travel agency worker), Simon’s son, Hung (owner of a coach company)

(Simon is escorting his son to school.)

Simon:          Try to do well in the test, okay?

Son:              Okay.

Simon:          That’s my boy.

(Simon’s son watches the other children being driven to school by their parents. He appears to be filled with envy.)

Simon:          Son, do you want Daddy to drive you to school?

Son:              (excited) I do! Daddy, are you buying a car?

Simon:          Hm, Daddy wants to… then I could drive you to school every day.

Son:              Hurray! Pinky promise.

(The father and son hook their pinky fingers together.)

Simon:          Off you go, class is about to start!

Son:              Bye, daddy.

Simon:          Bye.

(After delivering his son to school, Simon heads to work. On route, a coach bus honks at him. He turns around and sees the driver waving at him.)

Simon:          (surprised) Hung?

Hung:           Simon, long time no see. Come, let’s chat!

Scene #2

Time:            Day

Location:      Coach

Character(s): Simon, Hung

(Hung’s bus is parked on the side of the road.Simon sits next to Hung who is in the driver’s seat.)

Simon:          What a coincidence? I moved out of the old neighborhood years ago. So you’re driving for tourist groups?

Hung:           A friend and I started a coach company last year. Business is just starting to pick up.

Simon:          So you’re the boss!

Hung:           It’s a small business. What about you?

Simon:          I work for a travel agency, arranging tours and so on.

Hung:           (elated) Then we’re in the same field! Let’s look out for each other. We should get together sometime and catch up. When are you free?

Simon:          How about lunch sometime tomorrow? I know a good café nearby.

Hung:           Good! Your pick.

Simon:          Okay! I’ll call you.

Hung:           Okay! Sure.

Simon:          I should get going then. Bye.

Hung:           Bye.

 (As soon as Simon gets off the bus, Hung’s smile is replaced by a devious expression.)

Scene #3

Time:            Day

Location:      Coffee Shop

Character(s): Simon, Hung, Ivy

(Hung and Simon catch up over lunch. Ivy comes over to remove the empty plates.)

Hung:           Back in our school days…

Simon:          May I?

Hung:           Yes, please.

(Their chat is interrupted by a ringing cell phone; Simon answers the call and his faces darkens.)

Simon:          (to Hung) Excuse me…(to the phone) Hello… Can you hold on for a moment? Thanks.

(Simon hangs up and appears distraught.)

Hung:           What? Lost money in the stock market?

Simon:          I listened to a so-called investment expert. Now, my money is all tied up.

Hung:           Just hold on till you need the money.

Simon:          But I was planning to buy a new car to drive my son to school. Even with the down payment, I can’t afford the monthly payments.

Hung:           How about this: you handle the down payment and I’ll help you with the monthly installments.

Simon:          That’s not a good idea. No… no…

Hung:           Why not? What’s wrong with old neighbors helping each other out. I don’t need the money.

Simon:          No, I didn’t earn it, I can’t accept it…

Hung:           How about this: your travel agency needs regular coach services, if you help me secure a coach contract, I will help you with the monthly car installments. Don’t you think that’s fair?

Simon:          That’s against the rules… I’ll get in big trouble if the company finds out.

Hung:           Stop worrying. How will anyone find out? Your company needs a coach service anyway. We have brand new coaches and experienced drivers. You won’t regret hiring us.

(Simon is deeply conflicted.)

Hung:           How about this: register the new car under your wife’s name. That’s less obvious.

Simon:          Well… (struggles) …alright. I’ll talk to my boss and sell him the idea.

Hung:           I’m counting on you! I have to pick up a tour group. Once you buy the car… I mean once your wife buys the car, let me know. I have to go.

(Hung leaves. Simon lowers his head, deep in thought. Ivy brings Simon a coffee. The message: “Pull back before it’s too late” is written in the foam. Simon is startled when he reads the words. Then he imagines his son’s expression of joy as he can drive him to school with the new car. He stirs the coffee with a spoon. The message quickly dissipates.)

Scene #4

Time:            Day

Location:      Simon’s new car / Hung’s coach

Character(s): Simon, Hung

(Simon is outside his home, washing his new car. He appears relaxed and whistles as he works.His phone rings. The caller is Hung. Simon hesitates for a moment before answering the call.)

Simon:          Hello, Hung, how can I help?

(Hung is calling him from his coach.)

Hung:           Simon, you still haven’t delivered your part of the deal.

Simon:          I’ve really tried my best, Hung.

Hung:           Your best? It’s been months.

Simon:          I recommended your services several times. But it’s up to management. It’s out of my control.

Hung:           (infuriated) I’ve been taking care of your car payments for months. Now you say it’s not up to you? You promised me!

Simon:          Calm down, Hung. I’ll sort this out once I get to the office.

Hung:           (still furious) You’d better get it done!

(Hung hangs up angrily.)

Scene #5

Time:            Day

Location:      Office, travel agency

Character(s): Simon, Coworkers

(Simon is back at work. He is discussing tour schedules with a coworker…)

Coworker A: How many are expected to register for this tour…

(Another coworker comes looking for him.)

Coworker B: Simon.

Simon:          Yes.

Coworker B: The manager asked for you.

(Simon walks slowly to the manager’s office…)

Simon:          (VO) Someone reported me to the ICAC about Hung helping me with car payments. As a result…

(CLOSE-UP: two sets of hands are in cuffs, it’sHung and Simon.)

Scene #6 (Recap)

Time:            Day

Location:      Coffee Shop

Character(s): Simon, Ivy

(Dejected, Simon is sitting alone at the coffee shop.After cleaning up the kitchen, Ivy goes over to talk to him.)

Ivy:              (genuinely concerned) So, when is your hearing?

Simon:         Next Wednesday. I shouldn’t have trusted Hung. He’s going to testify against me on bribery charges. But in the end he didn’t get the contract and the car was under my wife’s name. Why are they still charging me?

Ivy:              Once an agreement to offer or accept a bribe is reached, even if the recipient doesn’t carry out the act for the purpose of the bribe, it’s still against the law .In addition, no matter how  the advantage is transferred or whether it is done through a third party, it would still violate the anti-corruption laws.

Simon:         I just wanted to buy a car, now look at the mess I’m in.

Ivy:              If you didn’t gamble on the stock market, tying up your cash, you wouldn’t have needed Hung to pay off your car loan. It’s important to manage your finances prudently. When you have financial difficulties, you’re more prone to bribery. That’s why we should separate business and personal matters. Otherwise, it’s tempting to cross the line.