Sandcastle Page #2

---

Have you seen Grandpa?

We are going to the seaside.

I'm ready to go.

Grandma

It is nighttime now.

You already went to the beach this morning.

See, it's already nighttime.

I didn't realise it's already nighttime.

Grandpa's gone out.

He asked you to sleep first.

Where did he go?

Aunt Leng brought him out.

Come, Grandma, lie down.

What time will he be back?

He'll be back late.

He said you should sleep first.

Did they go to Malaysia to visit Boon

without me?

No, Grandma.

They just went out to buy something.

Grandpa will bring you to the seaside in the

morning, okay?

Sleep first.

Are these yours?

Yes.

Mum, can I ask you something?

Yeah.

Were Father and you both 38 when you got

married?

Yeah.

And you met him in Malaysia?

When we were both working in Malaysia.

Why?

Did you know he was involved in

the student protests in Singapore in the 50's?

No.

I didn't know.

Why do you ask?

Grandpa mentioned it to me the other day.

I only know he was involved with the student

unions

and that they tried to brainwash him.

He never told you about the protests?

No.

Come out once you're done packing.

There are more guests coming.

Can't Seng watch over your son?

He's only just starting school.

Besides, the embassy also needs me there.

It took me so long to get this job.

Hian, you know I really can't help it.

I wish I could be here to take care of her.

I feel so useless as a daughter.

Mum

I have this brochure. Do you want to look at it?

When you were away Grandpa asked me to go

with him.

Why would he do that?

I don't know

but I think he really liked the place.

Excuse me, where's the toilet?

There's a portable toilet outside.

Ask Leng, my sister-in-law.

Was this your idea?

No!

Why would Grandpa want to put Grandma in a

nursing home?

He wanted to be there with her!

Grandma will move in with us.

There's space for a mattress in your room.

But we just had it renovated.

Take this back.

Take it!

He came back.

Came back from where?

I didn't think he would ever come back.

Hello, Ying.

Hello.

Come in, there's still space.

It's okay, I'll wait for the next one.

Come on. There's plenty of space.

En.

Yeah.

Have you unpacked?

Is Grandma sleeping?

Yeah.

This came from the Ministry of Defense.

Let me go out!

I said no.

I've already made plans with my friends!

Quiet!

Ying, you have been lagging behind in school

since we moved to Singapore.

Why are you still wasting time?

I'm already 21. I know what I'm doing!

I said no!

You stay in here and come to your senses!

Do you leave it on all the time?

Yeah I always leave it on but it's always been

okay.

Must have been the power surge.

But it has never happened before.

It must be the motherboard or the power supply.

What about the hard disk?

Will the data be okay?

I can't guarantee that but we'll try our best and let

you know as soon as possible.

What is it, Grandma?

Where are my earrings?

Are these the ones?

I told Ben I'm quitting at the end of the month.

Why?

My mother doesn't like me doing this.

I heard from Cheryl you are still doing that choir

sh*t.

My mother wasrt in town.

I had to stand in for her.

Ask her to give you a break. School's over.

Was she on holiday with the giant colonel?

Do you think she's f***ing him?

F*** off!

What?

Thanks.

I have to go off first.

Andy will lock up later.

Hey.

Are you alright?

Shall I send you back home?

Where are your keys?

Hi.

Are you Mr Tan Xiang En?

I'm your instructor

Mr Chua.

Hi, Mr Chua.

Do you have your driving theory certificate?

Can I check it?

I sent in my iMac more than two weeks ago for

evaluation.

The man said it would take a few days.

Can you call my mobile phone?

Okay, thanks.

Grandma.

Grandma, it's so hot. Want me to turn on the fan?

Hian

He listens to you.

Persuade him to sign it.

It's only a signature.

Grandma? Are you talking to me?

Hian

you can't live like this forever.

Mum's in her room.

It's been so many years.

Boon listens to you.

Persuade him to sign it.

Boon will listen to you.

Persuade him to sign it.

Grandma, what are you talking about?

Boon will listen to you.

Sir Stamford Raffles signed a second treaty with

the Sultan and Temenggong

which extended British possession to most of the

island.

This agreement brought the island under the

British law.

By 1827, the Chinese became the largest ethnic

group in Singapore.

They consisted of Chinese coolies who flocked to

Singapore to escape

the economic hardship in Southern China due to

the Opium Wars.

Many arrived in Singapore as lmpoverished

Indentured labourers.

No, read it.

Impoverished, indentured labourers and they

were

predominantly

predominantly males.

En, come and eat your dinner.

The rice is not cooked.

It's cooked, Ma.

I will get indigestion eating this.

It's cooked.

I can tell when the rice isn't cooked!

Okay, okay.

I'll add some soup to soften it okay?

Wilson is joining us.

You don't mind, do you?

Too much rice for me.

Hello.

Mrs Tan, eating dinner?

Sorry, I finished work late.

Young man, happy birthday!

This is for you.

Sorry, I didn't have time to wrap it.

Your mum said your computer isn't working.

So I figured a laptop would come in useful.

You shouldn't have! It must have cost a lot.

It's nothing.

As long as he likes it.

Thanks.

Come, let's eat.

Mrs Tan, let's eat.

Hey, can I ask you something?

What year did the Chinese school riots in

Singapore take place?

October 1956.

Top History student.

Were the students Communists?

They were protesting

the closure of the student union which was

supposedly pro-Communist.

And in the 60's the government arrested the

Communists?

That's also a contentious issue

whether or not those arrested were Communists.

What happened to them?

Were they exiled?

Some were locked up for a really long time,

some of them were exiled.

Are you going through some kind of exams

withdrawal?

Hi!

Here with your friend?

I'm not working today.

It's my birthday!

Sorry?

I said, it's my birthday!

Stand up for Singapore

Do the best you can

If you stand up for Singapore

You'll find it all won'thwhile

Believe in yourself. You've got something to

share

So show us all you really care

Be prepared to give a little more

Stand up, stand up for Singapore!

Did you come home late last night?

Quite.

My friends and I were celebrating my birthday.

You shouldn't stay up so late.

It's very unealthy.

It was my birthday!

I'm just saying it's unealthy. That's all.

Have you transferred the video discs for me?

My computer died. I need more time.

What about the laptop I gave you?

Can't it do transfers?

No.

Doesrt it have a movie-making software?

No.

Just put them on the floor. I'll sort them out.

Okay.

There's another bag at the door.

Are you coming back later for dinner?

Sure!

Why don't we eat out?

No, I'd rather cook.

The food court downstairs

is staffed by people from China.

I don't trust the hygiene standards anymore.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes