Retreats
FADE IN:
INT. CLUB HOUSE - DAY
PETER checks a phone mail.
PETER (V.O.)
A retreat invitation?
FLASHBACK & MONTAGE ABOUT PETER'S RETREAT EXPERIENCE
A. Getting out of his car, Peter (50s) gets a guitar from the boot and walks towards a secluded premises.
B. Peter greets COLLEAGUES alighting a coach.
C. Colleagues sit in different groupings at tables.
D. Peter makes OPENING REMARKS. TRAINERS speak and instructs. Colleagues respond. A clipboard is filled with key handwritten words.
E. During breaks, Peter plays his guitar to entertain the audience casually.
F. In a restaurant, Peter eats and mingles with colleagues.
G. Trainers, colleagues and Peter play outdoor games.
H. Colleagues' FEEDBACK. Trainers' WRAP UP. Peter's CONCLUDING REMARKS.
I. Colleagues board a coach as Peter blows his harmonica and waves goodbye to them.
END FLASHBACK & MONTAGE
PETER (V.O.)
The overall objective was
to build better teams, to
reflect how good we were
and how far we could go.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd)
Then a newspaper published
an anonymous colleague's
letter, complaining the retreat
was a waste of time and
money.
Peter looks downbeat.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
There' re always naysayers
resisting change...And I
can lead change in more
than one way!
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Well, I should accept
the retreat invitation
seizing another
experiential opportunity.
INT. SECLUDED PLACE - DAY
Elegant. In the midst of casually dressed LADIES and GENTLEMEN, Peter is directed to sit at a table near the podium. GENTLEMAN# 1 (60s) speaks.
GENTLEMAN#1
We'v e our vision...
We're not just doing
a job, getting a pay
check, but achieving
a mission...
PETER (V..O.)
Very well articulated.
INT. SECLUDED RESTAURANT - DAY
Western food buffet. Peter chats with LADY#1(50s) and GENTLEMAN#2 (50s) over lunch.
PETER
Pardon me for my
ignorance, why is it
important to have post-
doctoral arrangements?
GENTLEMAN#2
Completion of supervised
doctoral degrees doesn't
mean that they can
conduct further research,
or do knowledge transfer
on their own immediately.
Peter looks enlightened.
PETER (V.O.)
There're always new things
to learn and new skills to
be acquired...or a new
mindset - similar to the
function of a retreat.
INT. SECLUDED PLACE - DAY
GENTLEMAN#3 (40s) is away from the lectern and speaks out in the open. He uses eye contact to engage the audience.
PETER (V.O.)
That has been my open
and accessible delivery
style too. I speak, perform
and keep my audience.
Seeing the gentleman#3 expecting a response from the floor, Peter grabs the microphone and makes an intervention.
PETER
...let it be a value centre
for all!
A beat.
Gentleman#1 calls LADIES and GENTLEMEN by their names and they speak one after another.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
They speak what they
know and care about.
Peter listens attentively.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
A majority endorses
the strategies ahead...
Naysaying is few. Some
disclose their inner
change.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd)
They all explain the why,
and share insight. Their
humor also connects
well. What a successful
retreat!
INT. SECLUDED RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Chinese dinner service. Peter chats to GENTLEMAN#3 (50s) on right & GENTLEMAN#4 (30s) on his left passionately and energetically.
PETER
(With authenticity)
My blue-sky idea is to
establish an IP-based
capital market in the
Greater Bay Area...
GENTLEMAN#3
I buy that ...
GENTLEMAN #4 also nods.
PETER
I know some right
things must be done.
I'm in the know, if I
didn't try, nobody
will. Even if I can't
change the world, I've
tried.
INT. CLUB HOUSE - DAY
Reading newspaper stories and obituaries, Peter ponders.
PETER (V.O.)
Having worked over 40
years and retired in 2014,
I have retreated into, and out of, myself for years.
I now have better clarity
as to how I should live the
rest of my life!
FADE OUT. The End