Manage The Future
FADE IN:
INT. STUDY - DAY
Relaxing on a sofa with his smart phone in hand, Peter looks pleased.
PETER (V.O.)
Good, I've fixed my solo
trip to Tokyo in Jan, even
though I'd travel with my
family there in late Dec.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Travel-eat-sleep-repeat
is enjoyable in Japan
even though I don't speak
the language. It's an
orderly country.
The TV is showing a documentary about Japan's underworld.
Peter sees on the screen members of Yakuza (Gangster - derived from the 8-9-3 card game) have full-bodied tatoos. We hear: If you've a tatoo, you're a Yakuza; and if you don't, you're a respectable citizen.
FLASHBACK
INT. RYOKAN ONSEN - NIGHT
Peter sees a notice at the entrance: People wearing tatoos aren't permitted.
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.)
I doubt the young ones'
perception that the reason
for the rejection is purely
hygienic - No toxic tatoo
paints should pollute the
onsen.
Peter researches with his phone.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
I'm right. Japanese don't
feel comfortable to take
onsen with tatooed
people. Many onsen
ryokan wouldn't allow
even foreign travellers
with tatoos. The industry
think if they allow that,
they'd have to let the
locals in.
Peter reads on.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
The Yakuza functions as
a police force in their areas
of operation. They help
reduce crime in the sense
that few would compete
with them. They do what
the Police can't do.
Peter raises his eyebrows.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)s
They collect protection
moneys and respond
quicker than government
agencies in emergencies.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
I think they fill a governance
gap. There're shades of
grey between black and
white.
INT. SITTING ROOM - NIGHT
The TV breaks news, showing people in black T-shirts and people in white T-shirts combating in public.
PETER (V.O.)
Are they new breeds of Yakuzas in Hong Kong?
INT. DINNING ROOM - DAY
Smart phone in hand, Peter watches video clips. We hear loud and clear profanities in Cantonese, including some in female voices.
PETER
(To his wife)
Well, I'm shocked to
hear young girls
shouting foul languages...
WIFE
You're out of touch!
PETER (V.O.)
While they don't have
to be ladylike, don't
they feel vulgar and
stupid to provoke in
that way?
INT. STUDY - DAY
Peter is watching a video clip.
PETER (V.O.)
The Yakuzas claim they
fight the strong and help
the weak.
We hear: They may not look so strong individually. But when they're in a team, they're prepared to sacrifice.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
(Raising his eyebrows)
Yes, those with less self-
control wouldn't have the
ability to consider the pros
and cons of their next
steps. They'd simply act
according to what is most
pressing in a situation,
intuitively protecting their
social identity at the
same time.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
It's ironic that people who
can't control themselves
may be able to control
those around them, including the Police through
their restraint and tolerance.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
The people in T-shirts are
just like uncooperative decision makers in Game
Theory. They'd win the
zero-sum game - at
least in the short-term.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
In the final analysis, the
current breakdown of
law and order in Hong
Kong has a lot to do with
the lack of leadership
on all fronts. They don't
think three steps ahead
and forfeit the opportunity
to manage the future!
Peter changes to a green T-shirt before going out.
INT. CLUBHOUSE - NIGHT
Peter reads a newspaper report.
PETER (V.O.)
Immigration inquiries have
increased tenfold recently...
FADE OUT. The End