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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

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