Script    

 

VO = Voice-over

 

Scene #1

Time:      Midnight

Location:       South China Fine Masterpieces Limited meeting room

Character(s): Eva、Michael

 

Michael:(VO)The gallery will be listed in less than three months. I don’t know why Eva’s called me this late …But she looks worried. Could it be something with the listing documents? I don’t think so. I’ve done it all by the book and under the table. There shouldn’t be any problem. To make my mark nowadays, I need to have what it takes and also know how to create opportunities. Five years ago, I ran into my US college classmate who is now my boss and work partner, Eva. After graduation I worked in an investment bank. My job served me well. But I wanted to build my own business. Luckily, I bumped into my lucky charm, Eva

 

Scene #2

Time:      Day

Location:       Coffee shop

Character(s): Eva、Michael

 

Michael:Running a family business. Is that really what you aspire to?

Eva:Why’d you say that?

Michael:You majored in fine art, and have good taste.

Eva:Honestly I do enjoy my work right now. But if the family business and art could fuse together. It’d be perfect. The art business is still a dream of mine.

Michael:It’s not impossible. I’ve noticed that the art auction market has being flourishing.

Eva:I’ve noticed that too!

Michael:Let’s give it a go. We can invest in mid to high end pieces. We can choose the lesser known pieces of great artists which have high potential in the market. If you are interested I have a client base. And we can open a gallery together. Just like old times in college. The gallery focuses on art investment. We do promotion, curating, selling art pieces.

 

Scene #3

Time:      Day

Location:       Suntarks Wong Man-kan’s office

Character(s): Eva、WONG Man-kan

 

Eva:After that, we rent out the pieces to our big corporate clients. The income is split between the gallery and the owners. The owners can have the masterpieces without caring for them. The gallery can cash out immediately. Earning commission at the same time!

WONG Man-kan:Are you sure you have thought it through?

Eva:Grandpa, have you forgotten that I majored in fine art? I know which pieces are good investment.

WONG Man-kan:Well it doesn’t hurt to try I guess.

Eva:But I’m serious about it. Art investment today is a growing business. As a start, I plan to open a gallery in Hong Kong for investment and also for trading. And I’m confident that, within four years. It’ll go public in time for Suntarks’ 40th listing anniversary!

WONG Man-kan:Going public that soon, are you sure?

Eva:I’m sure! I’m optimistic about the mainland market. Many luxury apartments and high-end venues in China have great demand for art pieces. I plan to open two galleries in prime locations in Shanghai. They will set the scene up there for large art gallery estates. Grandpa that is my long term goal!

WONG Man-kan:Good idea!

Eva:So I have your support? Thank you grandpa!

WONG Man-kan:But if you really are planning to get the gallery listed in four years. I suggest, that you hire Alan, Suntark’s company secretary as your company secretary too. He is very experienced with listing matters.

 

Scene #4

Time:      Day

Location:       Warehouse

Character(s): Eva、Michael

 

Michael:Never imagined that you collected so many pieces.

Eva:Come on you knew I bought them all during my university days.

Michael:I know but I never thought this many. You do need a big warehouse for storage.

Eva:I figured so I purchased this warehouse a few years ago with my trust fund.

Michael:I got it. The main gallery will be in Central. Then, we rent this warehouse as a branch. And of course, the gallery will pay you the rent. But first, renovation, a makeover styled like London’s Westbank. The renovation cost will be picked up by the gallery. What’d you think?

Eva:That’s good! Then the rent will just go into my own company.

Michael:But the gallery doesn’t have many pieces to start. Maybe, we borrow some of yours for the first show.

Eva:No problem. The gallery is mine anyway. Art’s only valuable when appreciated.

Michael:We’re all set then. Any idea about a name?

Eva:South China Fine Masterpieces.

Michael:Hello. South China Fine Masterpieces' Chairman and CEO.

Eva:Hello. Executive director and general manager.

 

Scene #5

Time:      Day

Location:       South China Fine Masterpieces Limited shop front

Character(s): Eva、Michael

 

Michael:(VO)Eva rarely examines the accounts. Please take your time, sir, I’ll be right back. But she is checking the books today. Could it be?

Eva:Hey Michael! Is something wrong with the listing process?

Michael:Jenny, Mr. Lee is here, please take care of him

Jenny:Okay.

Michael:Everything is fine here, why do you ask?

Eva:The accountant has told me, there are irregularities. The number of physical pieces we have are less than the record indicates. One of Jacque Vallance’s pieces is put up to three different banks as collateral for three loans

Michael:hat must be an administrative error. The painting was already sold to Chief Chan in Shanghai at high price. The problem no longer exists. I am meeting the Administration team this afternoon to set things right. Are you free to join?

Eva:I've a board meeting at Suntarks today. I’ll leave it to you. Listen, no matter whatthe gallery must be listed by the end of next year. Also, by the end of this financial year, it must fulfil all the listing requirements, especially the profit test

Michael:Understood. Gotcha. It’ll be a double celebration next year. Suntarks’ 40th listing anniversary and South China Fine Masterpieces going public.

Eva:I’m in a rush I am off.

Michael:Okay, drive safely

Eva:Okay. Bye bye.

Michael:Bye!(VO)I’m the one finding new clients for us and entertaining them to keep them happy. Those three loans should be treated as my allowance. This is my gallery too. I also want it to be listed soon. Looks like I have to work even harder.

 

Scene #6

Time:      Day

Location:       South China Fine Masterpieces Limited shop front

Character(s): Michael、Jenny

 

Jenny:Michael?

Michael:What is it?

Jenny:The transaction amount for these few orders are quite big.

Michael:Is that a problem?

Jenny:It’s almost delivery time. But I can’t get in touch with the buyers. And they’re not regular buyers that we have close contact with. With such huge amounts involved, I’m afraid we may suffer a loss

Michael:Don’t worry. These are new clients. I know them well. How about this? Let me take care of the follow up from now on.

Jenny:Michael, you seem to like them. You’ve stared at them for ages. Do you want them yourself? Sadly someone’s ordered them.

Michael:No(VO)Want  them? Are you kidding me?! I wish someone would buy them immediately in cash! To fulfil Eva’s wish to get us listed. I need to use my shell company to purchase a few more of these paintings in order to pad our revenue. Now, I need to team up with a good partner. The gallery’s sponsor, Lycole Capital Hong Kong which specialises in helping SMEs get listed. The general manager Lily Poon understands. Also, I like the way she works

 

Scene #7

Time:      Day

Location:       Lycole Capital Hong Kong meeting room

Character(s): Michael、Lily

 

Lily:What I need to know, I’ll always find out no matter what. What I don’t need, it isn’t my business, I don't care.

Michael:(VO)The year before the gallery went public. We met almost every week.

Lily:What I need to know the most now is how it’s going with the reporting accountant. He asks too many questions and we’re trapped in the middle with our hands tied. If this continues, we won’t meet the schedule.

Michael:Well that problem has been solved because the reporting accountant was fired. So now you need to help me make up a reason for it on paper.

Lily:Well that’s good news. My team can work more smoothly and finish the due diligence as soon as possible. We'll cut down the check on original key documents to save time. And, for these items on the auditing checklist. Just give me a blanket statement signed and assuring the records match the facts and we will tick them off the list. About the outstanding loans of your gallery as long as you sign off that fully executed bank documents were in place at each bank. The team will be satisfied. Then it’s done.

Michael:Oh right. The money was transferred. Got it?

Lily:We’ve received it.

Michael:And your part? (Lily nod)(VO)If a problem can be solved by money it is not a problem at all...

 

Scene #8

Time:      Day

Location:       South China Fine Masterpieces Limited shop front

Character(s): Michael、Alan

 

Michael:(Say to the customer)Here. This piece is distinct. It has great characteristics(VO)However, there are certain matters that money cannot solve, Alan.

Alan:Hello.

Michael:(VO)This is Alan, the company secretary assigned by Eva’s grandpa. He’s come all the way here. I wonder what he’s up to.

Alan:The gallery’s sponsor Lycole. Their due diligence team in China called me several times. They wanted additional information and files for some clarification.

Michael:What kind of files and what’s to clarify?

Alan:It’s about the gallery’s loans taken with mainland banks and breaches on the reserved land for development in Shanghai.

Michael:Really?

Alan:I’ve checked the gallery’s bank loan and the records of the land transaction. There are irregularities. Can you explain it?

Michael:There are no problems. I think it’s just some mistakes on the documents. I’m meeting Lily, Lycole’s general manager today. She’ll fix the problems.

Alan:How about I tag along? As the company secretary. I’m responsible for ensuring the listing is smooth and compliant.

Michael:These issues are trivial. No need to complicate things Alan. As you are aware, we are running a tight schedule. Eva wants to get listed at the end of next year. Together with Suntarks’ 40th listing anniversary. Big celebrations ahead for us, Right? I know you look up to Mr Wong. And he has hopes for Eva. I mean, you do want him to be happy and fulfil his dreams right? Worry not! Lily’s the gallery’s sponsor. It’s her job to solve this. Let them do their work Alright? Call me anytime

 

Scene #9 (after Scene 1)

Time:      Midnight

Location:       South China Fine Masterpieces Limited meeting room

Character(s): Eva、Michael

 

Michael:We’ll go public in three months. We’ve done what we needed to do. What are you worried about?

Eva:I’m not worried about the listing. Actually I think I need your advice. I miscalculated something. I bought three apartments in Repulse Bay. After the listing, I plan to cash out some of my shares for the property transaction. But I overlooked as a director, there’s a six-month lock-up period.

Michael:Oh! That’s why. No wonder you’re anxious

Eva:Any ideas for me?

Michael:I think there’s a way out. But first, do you trust Jenny and Patrick?

Eva:They come from Suntarks to help the gallery. Of course I trust them.

Michael:It’s simple then! If they are inside the circle of trust. Recommend the board to grant them share options. To make it legitimate, disclose it in the prospectus. After the IPO, ask them to sell their options to free up the cash for you. After that, you can reward each of them a small bonus

Eva:That sounds great. What would I do without you, my personal advisor?

 

Scene #10

Time:      Day

Location:       Outside Stock Exchange of Hong Kong

Character(s): Eva、WONG Man-kan、Alan、Michael、Robert and several company executives

 

Eva:Grandpa, you look very smart in your suit today. When you hit the gong at the Stock Exchange, You’ll make an impression!

WONG Man-kan:I’m too old to make a dramatic entrance. Today we have a double celebration. Now, Suntarks celebrating its 40th anniversary of listing together with the IPO of your gallery. Good for you!

Eva:I have learned from the best.

Robert:Hey dad, we’re leaving, it’s time.

WONG Man-kan:Go

Eva:Come on go.

Robert:Hey. It’s time to go.

Alan:(VO)The gallery’s going public today. But I wonder if we’ll have a problem later?