Scene #1

Time:            Day

Location:      Coffee Shop

Character(s): Yuen (partner of a garment trading company), Ivy (coffee shop owner)

(Yuen finishes a phone conversation and sighs. Ivy brings him a cappuccinowith the word “RELAX” written in the foam.Yuen looks at his coffee and his mood is lifted.)

Yuen:           You’ve read my mind, Ivy.

Ivy:              Of course I can see that you’ve been upset these few days. What’s wrong? Trouble at work?

Yuen:           (forced smile) You wouldn’t understand. All I do is taking complaint calls from unhappy clients.

(His cell phone suddenly rings.)

Yuen:           (points at the phone) Speak of the devil…

Ivy:              (smiles) Relax!

(She walks away. Yuen picks up the telephone.)

Yuen:           (to the phone)Hi, Mr. Wong… Really? Something wrong with the fabric? The color isn’t right… I’ll fix it right away! I’m so sorry, Mr. Wong.

(He gestures at Ivy to put the bill on his tab as he hurries out of the shop.)

Yuen:           Make a note of this!

(Ivy smiles and nods.)

Scene #2

Time:            Day

Location:      Garment Trading Company

Character(s): Yuen, Cheung (another partner of the garment trading company)

(Yuen enters the office and realizes that Cheung has returned (from a business trip to the Mainland). Cheung is giving instructions to an employee. Yuen approaches Cheung.)

Yuen:           Cheung, I was looking for you.

Cheung:        What happened? You’re sweating.

Yuen:           Wah Pan screwed up the orders again! The clientsare complaining!Where’s the quality control?

Cheung:        Calm down. I’ll visit Wah Pan and get to the bottom of this. Let’s talk later.

Yuen:           You’re familiar with Mainland operations. We’re counting on you.

Cheung:        Don’t worry. Go back to work.

Scene #3

Time:            Night

Location:      Restaurant (Chinese Mainland)

Character(s): Cheung, Chief Chan (Mainland garment factory owner)

(Cheung is dining with Chief Chan. A waiter is serving them wine.)

Chief Chan:  How nice of you to take time to visit, Cheung. Let’s have a drink.

Cheung:        Sure.

Chief Chan:  Thanks to you, we received a steady stream of orders from your company.

Cheung:        Well, Chief Chan, the reason for my visit this time is…

Chief Chan:  Something wrong with the last shipment?

Cheung:        So you knew there was a problem?

Chief Chan:  It’s nothing serious. Let’s just look past it!

Cheung:        Hey, no. We’ve received a lot of complaints. The quality of your products was fine in the past.

Scene #4

Time:            Day

Location:      Garment Trading Company

Character(s): Yuen, Secretary

Yuen:           (to the phone) What? That is serious! Okay… I’ll replace them immediately. I’m so sorry, Mr. Wong.

(He hangs up, mumbling to himself…)

Yuen:           It’s Wah Pan again! What has Cheung been up to?

(He steps out of his office and enters Cheung’s office...)

Yuen:           He disappears every time.

(Just as Yuen turns to leave, the cell phone that Cheung left on his desk receives a text message. Yuen is shocked when he sees the text message from Chief Chan, it reads: “The money has been transferred to your account.”Yuen quickly goes to Cheung’s secretary.)

Yuen:           (anxiously) Where did your boss go?

Secretary:     Mr. Cheung said he went outside for coffee.

(Yuen heads to the coffee shop in search of Cheung.)

Scene #5

Time:            Day

Location:      Coffee Shop

Character(s): Yuen, Cheung, Ivy

(Ivy serves a takeaway coffee to Cheung.)

Ivy:              Mr. Cheung, your coffee.

Cheung:        Thanks.

(Yuen rushes into the coffee shop and finds Cheung.)

Yuen:           Cheung!

Cheung:        Hey, something happened?

Yuen:           Sit down first.

Cheung:        Alright.

Ivy:              Yuen, what would you like?

Yuen:           The usual, please.

(Yuen looks at Cheung, filled with disappointment.)

Yuen:           What’s wrong with Wah Pan? I received another complaint!

Cheung:        Well, clients are always picky.

Yuen:           Picky? They’re furious! You really screwed up this time!

(Cheung does not know what to say.)

Yuen:           With so many Mainland manufacturers to choose from, why pick Wah Pan?

Cheung:        Well, we’ve been working with Wah Pan for years.

Yuen:         Look, Cheung, just tell me the truth. Are you hiding something from the company?

Cheung:        No. I have nothing to hide…

(Cheung grows increasingly uncomfortable.)

Yuen:           No? Why did Chief Chan transfer money to you? Did you accept payment from them?

(Shocked, Cheung is unable to respond.)

Scene #6 (continuation of scene 3)

Time:            Night

Location:      Restaurant (Chinese Mainland)

Character(s): Cheung, Chief Chan

(Chief Chan explains his situation to Cheung over dinner…)

Chief Chan:  Cheung, you’ve got to understand. We received the last order at such short notice. We simply substituted similar products in the warehouse and shipped them out instead.

Cheung:        You slipped up! How do you expect me to face my people now?

Chief Chan:  Sure, you can. Look. How about this: I’ll let you have 10% of the sale price to thank you for your help.

Cheung:        No…that’s not right.

Chief Chan:  You’re a partner in your company. What’s wrong with a boss receiving payment? Come on! Give me your account number, I’ll transfer the money tomorrow.

(Cheung looks at Chief Chan, unsure what to do. Chief Chan raises his wine glass, ready to toast.Cheung forces himself to smile and accepts Chief Chan’s proposal.)

Chief Chan:  We’ll look out for each other from now on.

(They clink glasses.)

Scene #7 (continuation of scene 5)

Time:            Day

Location:      Coffee Shop

Character(s): Yuen, Cheung, Ivy

Yuen:           Don’t you know our reputation is on the line?  The company will lose tons of business!

Cheung:        Don’t worry, I’ll deal with it.

Yuen:           So how? You knew their products were bad yet you still order from them. Our clients are furious! Did you accept money from them or not?

Cheung:        (with hesitation)Yes…Wah Pan transferred money to my Hong Kong account. But what’s wrong with that?

(Their conversation increases in volume, drawing Ivy’s attention…)

Cheung:        I own part of this company. I entertain clients out of my own pocket. It's Just partial compensation. Wah Pan’s products aren’t always bad.

Yuen:           (disappointed in Cheung)You’ve really crossed the line. How will you explain this to the other partners?

Cheung:        I toiled for years to establish the company on the Mainland. Now you want to scapegoat me over a minor issue?

Yuen:           I know you have worked hard for the company. But you’ve gone too far this time. I can’t be part of this!

Cheung:        Then there’s nothing more to say!

(Furious, Cheung leaves.)

Yuen:           (Dejected) Cheung… Cheung!

(Yuen sighs helplessly.Ivy brings over a coffee for Yuen. The words “Business is business” are written in the foam. The message in the coffee opens his eyes.)

Scene #8 (Recap)

Time:            Day

Location:      Coffee Shop

Character(s): Ivy, Yuen

(Ivy stands beside Yuen to outline the relevant anti-corruption laws…)

Ivy:              Are you okay?

Yuen:           I don’t want to report Cheung. We’ve been partners for years.

Ivy:              I know how hard it is to choose between integrity and friendship. But according to the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Prevention of Bribery Ordinance), when an agent accepts an advantage without his principal’s permission while conducting the principal’s affairs, the agent is guilty of accepting a bribe.

Yuen:           Who does “agent” refer to?

Ivy:              In the context of a company, any one of its employees, board directors or even individual shareholders is considered an agent when acting for the company. They must have obtained approval from the principal, in this case, the company, before soliciting or accepting any work-related advantage.

Yuen:           But Cheung is a partner in the company. Can’t he give himself approval to receive an advantage?

Ivy:              Keep in mind that the “principal approval” is not up to individual shareholders to give. It should be given by all shareholders or the entire board of directors.

Yuen:           That means without the consent of all shareholders or the entire board of directors, an individual shareholder must not accept rebates?

Ivy:              That’s right.

Yuen:           But Cheung accepted an advantage from a Mainland manufacturer. Would the ICAC take on the case?

Ivy:              Well if any part of the bribery took place in Hong Kong, then the ICAC has the power to investigate. The suspect may have violated the Mainland laws as well. If the entire incident occurred outside Hong Kong, you should report the crime to law enforcement agencies there.

Yuen:           I understand. It appears I must talk to the ICAC.

Scene #1

Time:            Day

Location:      Front gate, primary school

Character(s): Simon (travel agency worker), Simon’s son, Hung (owner of a coach company)

(Simon is escorting his son to school.)

Simon:          Try to do well in the test, okay?

Son:              Okay.

Simon:          That’s my boy.

(Simon’s son watches the other children being driven to school by their parents. He appears to be filled with envy.)

Simon:          Son, do you want Daddy to drive you to school?

Son:              (excited) I do! Daddy, are you buying a car?

Simon:          Hm, Daddy wants to… then I could drive you to school every day.

Son:              Hurray! Pinky promise.

(The father and son hook their pinky fingers together.)

Simon:          Off you go, class is about to start!

Son:              Bye, daddy.

Simon:          Bye.

(After delivering his son to school, Simon heads to work. On route, a coach bus honks at him. He turns around and sees the driver waving at him.)

Simon:          (surprised) Hung?

Hung:           Simon, long time no see. Come, let’s chat!

Scene #2

Time:            Day

Location:      Coach

Character(s): Simon, Hung

(Hung’s bus is parked on the side of the road.Simon sits next to Hung who is in the driver’s seat.)

Simon:          What a coincidence? I moved out of the old neighborhood years ago. So you’re driving for tourist groups?

Hung:           A friend and I started a coach company last year. Business is just starting to pick up.

Simon:          So you’re the boss!

Hung:           It’s a small business. What about you?

Simon:          I work for a travel agency, arranging tours and so on.

Hung:           (elated) Then we’re in the same field! Let’s look out for each other. We should get together sometime and catch up. When are you free?

Simon:          How about lunch sometime tomorrow? I know a good café nearby.

Hung:           Good! Your pick.

Simon:          Okay! I’ll call you.

Hung:           Okay! Sure.

Simon:          I should get going then. Bye.

Hung:           Bye.

 (As soon as Simon gets off the bus, Hung’s smile is replaced by a devious expression.)

Scene #3

Time:            Day

Location:      Coffee Shop

Character(s): Simon, Hung, Ivy

(Hung and Simon catch up over lunch. Ivy comes over to remove the empty plates.)

Hung:           Back in our school days…

Simon:          May I?

Hung:           Yes, please.

(Their chat is interrupted by a ringing cell phone; Simon answers the call and his faces darkens.)

Simon:          (to Hung) Excuse me…(to the phone) Hello… Can you hold on for a moment? Thanks.

(Simon hangs up and appears distraught.)

Hung:           What? Lost money in the stock market?

Simon:          I listened to a so-called investment expert. Now, my money is all tied up.

Hung:           Just hold on till you need the money.

Simon:          But I was planning to buy a new car to drive my son to school. Even with the down payment, I can’t afford the monthly payments.

Hung:           How about this: you handle the down payment and I’ll help you with the monthly installments.

Simon:          That’s not a good idea. No… no…

Hung:           Why not? What’s wrong with old neighbors helping each other out. I don’t need the money.

Simon:          No, I didn’t earn it, I can’t accept it…

Hung:           How about this: your travel agency needs regular coach services, if you help me secure a coach contract, I will help you with the monthly car installments. Don’t you think that’s fair?

Simon:          That’s against the rules… I’ll get in big trouble if the company finds out.

Hung:           Stop worrying. How will anyone find out? Your company needs a coach service anyway. We have brand new coaches and experienced drivers. You won’t regret hiring us.

(Simon is deeply conflicted.)

Hung:           How about this: register the new car under your wife’s name. That’s less obvious.

Simon:          Well… (struggles) …alright. I’ll talk to my boss and sell him the idea.

Hung:           I’m counting on you! I have to pick up a tour group. Once you buy the car… I mean once your wife buys the car, let me know. I have to go.

(Hung leaves. Simon lowers his head, deep in thought. Ivy brings Simon a coffee. The message: “Pull back before it’s too late” is written in the foam. Simon is startled when he reads the words. Then he imagines his son’s expression of joy as he can drive him to school with the new car. He stirs the coffee with a spoon. The message quickly dissipates.)

Scene #4

Time:            Day

Location:      Simon’s new car / Hung’s coach

Character(s): Simon, Hung

(Simon is outside his home, washing his new car. He appears relaxed and whistles as he works.His phone rings. The caller is Hung. Simon hesitates for a moment before answering the call.)

Simon:          Hello, Hung, how can I help?

(Hung is calling him from his coach.)

Hung:           Simon, you still haven’t delivered your part of the deal.

Simon:          I’ve really tried my best, Hung.

Hung:           Your best? It’s been months.

Simon:          I recommended your services several times. But it’s up to management. It’s out of my control.

Hung:           (infuriated) I’ve been taking care of your car payments for months. Now you say it’s not up to you? You promised me!

Simon:          Calm down, Hung. I’ll sort this out once I get to the office.

Hung:           (still furious) You’d better get it done!

(Hung hangs up angrily.)

Scene #5

Time:            Day

Location:      Office, travel agency

Character(s): Simon, Coworkers

(Simon is back at work. He is discussing tour schedules with a coworker…)

Coworker A: How many are expected to register for this tour…

(Another coworker comes looking for him.)

Coworker B: Simon.

Simon:          Yes.

Coworker B: The manager asked for you.

(Simon walks slowly to the manager’s office…)

Simon:          (VO) Someone reported me to the ICAC about Hung helping me with car payments. As a result…

(CLOSE-UP: two sets of hands are in cuffs, it’sHung and Simon.)

Scene #6 (Recap)

Time:            Day

Location:      Coffee Shop

Character(s): Simon, Ivy

(Dejected, Simon is sitting alone at the coffee shop.After cleaning up the kitchen, Ivy goes over to talk to him.)

Ivy:              (genuinely concerned) So, when is your hearing?

Simon:         Next Wednesday. I shouldn’t have trusted Hung. He’s going to testify against me on bribery charges. But in the end he didn’t get the contract and the car was under my wife’s name. Why are they still charging me?

Ivy:              Once an agreement to offer or accept a bribe is reached, even if the recipient doesn’t carry out the act for the purpose of the bribe, it’s still against the law .In addition, no matter how  the advantage is transferred or whether it is done through a third party, it would still violate the anti-corruption laws.

Simon:         I just wanted to buy a car, now look at the mess I’m in.

Ivy:              If you didn’t gamble on the stock market, tying up your cash, you wouldn’t have needed Hung to pay off your car loan. It’s important to manage your finances prudently. When you have financial difficulties, you’re more prone to bribery. That’s why we should separate business and personal matters. Otherwise, it’s tempting to cross the line.

Script of the video

Scene #1

Time:            Day

Location:      Coffee Shop

Character(s): Alex (purchasing manager at a trading company), Kay (Alex’s girlfriend), Jane (Alex’s friend and coworker at the accounting department), Ivy (coffee shop owner)

(Alex, Kay and Jane are chatting over coffee. Kay whispers to Jane, revealing plans of her upcoming nuptials.)

Jane:             Congratulations! When’s the big day?

Kay:             Next June.

Jane:             Alex, you are the lucky one! Where are you going for your honeymoon?

Alex:            I'm not too fuzzed. I’ll let my wife choose this time.

Kay:             What do you think is better, Greece or France?

Jane:             There’re both typical spots...

(Ivy overhears their conversation and prepares a cappuccino and writes the words “Best Wishes on Your Wedding” in the foam.)

Kay:             There’s still time to decide. I invited you to lunch today because I want you to be a bridesmaid.

Jane:             Me again?

Alex:            Out of the Four Beauties of our school, you two are the only ones in Hong Kong.

Kay:             That means you can’t refuse?

Jane:             (smiles) We’re sisters… How can I say no!

Kay:             It’s a deal! I promise to toss my wedding bouquet to you, okay?

Jane:             Okay!

(As they talk, an exhausted-looking Alex lets out a yawn. Jane notices it immediately.)

Jane:             Alex, why do you always look so tired? You’re like that at the office. But even now?

Kay:             That’s what happens when you work two jobs.

Alex:            (displeased) Kay!

Jane:             Two jobs?

Alex:            No, don’t listen to her.

(Though Jane finds his response odd, she doesn’t question them any further.)

Scene #2

Time:            Day

Location:      Alex’s office, Trading Company

Character(s): Alex

(Alex is fabricating quotations at his computer. He looks around before entering the price on one of the quotations.)

Scene #3

Time:            Day

Location:      Jane’s office, Trading Company

Character(s): Jane

(At the accounting office, Jane is examining the quotes from suppliers, submitted by Alex. She discovers some information missing from one quote.)

Jane:             (mumbles to herself) Hm? That’s careless…

(She calls the supplier in question.)

Jane:             Hello, John Lee, please…Hi, Success Trading here, calling about the quote you submitted last week. There’s information missing…You didn’t submit a quote? It’s for electronic components. You didn’t... I see. Thanks. Bye.

(She hangs up, even more confused.)

Jane:             (mumbles) No one submitted it?

(She flips through the other files. She finally comes across one quotation in particular; a supplier has offered a price far below the other four companies. Jane is immediately suspicious and starts calling the other suppliers.)

Jane:             Hello, is this Vital Electronics? It’s Chan from the accounting department of Success Trading…

Scene #4

Time:            Day

Location:      Coffee Shop

Character(s): Jane, Ivy

(Jane sits alone at the coffee shop, in distress.Ivy approaches to console her.)

Ivy:               Jane, what’s bothering you?

(Jane thinks for a moment before answering.)

Jane:             If a coworker who you’d been friends with for over ten years secretly started an outside business to get purchase orders from your company and fabricated quotes from other companies, would you report him?

(Just as Ivy opens her mouth, a customer calls for her.)

Customer:     Check, please...

Ivy:               (to Jane) Duty calls. Let’s talk later. Something to drink?

Jane:             The usual.

Ivy:               I’ll be back.

(Ivy leaves but soon returns with a cup of coffee for Jane. The words “Separate business from the personal” are written in the foam.)

Ivy:               Your coffee.

(Jane looks at her coffee, deep in thought.)

Scene #5

Time:            Day

Location:      Pantry / Conference Room, Trading Company

Character(s): Jane, Alex

(Alex is filling up his cup at the water cooler. Jane approaches him.)

Jane:             Alex…We need to talk… Let's go to the conference room?

Alex:            Okay.

(In the conference room, Jane shows Alex the fake quotations that he previously submitted. Alex panics and begins pleading with Jane.)

Alex:            I beg you, please don’t report me to the company. My prices are quite fair. The company loses nothing by buying from me. Why not let a friend profit instead of outsiders?

Jane:             But what you did was wrong!

Alex:            Do you think I have a choice? You know I’m getting married soon and it’s a huge cost!  Even if you don’t value our friendship, but think of Kay? She’s your best friend! If something happens to me, who’s going to take care of her?

(Jane cannot decide what to do…)

Jane:             Pretend I know nothing.

(Alex breathes a sighs of relief.)

Scene #6

Time:            Day

Location:      Entrance to ICACBuilding

Character(s): Jane

(Jane steps out of the building, head lowered.)

Jane:             (VO) I thought I could just turn a blind eye as long as I didn’t accept any advantages.  I never imagined the company audit would expose everything. Alex was arrested by the ICAC, and they suspected me of conspiring with Alex. I was now suspended during the investigation…

Scene #7 (Recap)

Time:            Day

Location:      Coffee Shop

Character(s): Jane, Ivy

(Ivy sits down beside Jane.)

Jane:             I regret not picking up your clue about separating business from the personal.

Ivy:              I understand your dilemma. But as soon as a corrupt act was found, it should be reported to management or the ICAC immediately. Don’t turn a blind eye for the sake of friendship. Alex’s side business might have offered good products at fair prices and your company suffered no losses by purchasing from him, but there was actually a conflict of interest, not to mention the fact that he deceived his employer with fabricated quotes. He certainly violated the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.