The document is a script for the short film "The Clean Table". It follows Mr. William Lim, who is retiring from his job at DBS Bank and advising his son to always keep their dining table clean. Later, his son forgets this promise and leaves the table dirty. When Mr. Lim comes home, he initially threatens to punish his son but instead teaches him about the importance of honesty and second chances. The story explores family values of honesty through the relationship between father and son.

1. The Clean Table
Revision 2
By Singapore Media Academy
Stienberg Tan Geok Yong
WSQ Narrative Script Writing
Stienberg Tan Geok Yong robin.stienberg@yahoo.com

2. Revision 2
INT - OFFICE, DBS BANK HEAD OFFICE
MR. WILLIAM LIM SITS ON A LEATHER CHAIR OF THE DIRECTOR'S
OFFICE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TABLE AND THE DIRECTOR OF
THE CENTER OF THE TABLE TO HAVE A FARWELL CONVERSATION FOR
MR. LIM'S RETIREMENT
(MR. WILLIAM LIM IS DRESSED IN HIS USUAL GOOD IRON PRESSED
WHITE SHIRT AND RED TIE WITH A BLACK JACKET AND PANTS
ALONG WITH HIS BLACK ITALIAN LEATHER SHOES WELL-POLISHED,
WITH GRYPHON TEA BEEN SERVED WITH SWEET SMELLING
PEPPERMINT AROMA WHICH HIS USUAL FOR HIS MORNINGS.)
(THE MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR. CHANDRAN IS ALSO HAVING HIS
USUAL - MASALA TEA IN A COPPER TEA CUP AND SAUCER ALONG
WITH THE COPPER COMPLIMENTS, AND IN HIS STYLISH
CONSERVATIVE BLACK ITALIAN SUIT, SKY BLUE TIE AND SHOES
DESIGNED TO IMPRESSED WITH THE RED LONG SLEEVED SHIRT AND
A PLEASANTLY DEEP VOICE OF A GOD LIKE COMMANDER.)
THE MANAGING DIRECTOR - MR CHANDRAN
Thank you, Mr. Lim, for working
with us for many years and your
service is valued.
MR WILLAIM LIM
Thank you, Sir„ for your kind
words and the company for giving
me this chance to prove myself
worth all these years.
THE MANAGING DIRECTOR - MR CHANDRAN
I am right about making the
decision hiring you 20 years ago,
you told me the truth on why you
were sack on your previous
employment and I give you the
chance to redeem your reputation.
I am glad that with this
retirement you will have a clean
start, you came to us clean and
the company has released you as a
clean table.
MR WILLAIM LIM
Thank you, Sir
MR. LIM BOWED AND EXIT THE OFFICE WITH THE DOOR CLOSING BY
MR. LIM.
INT - AT MR. LIM'S HOME AT TOA PAYOH, BLOCK 216, #10-09J
IN THE EVENING AT 7AM
MR. WILLIAM IS DRESSED IN THIS WHITE LONG SLEEVE SHIRT
WITH A BLUE SKY TIE FOR HIS NEW JOB AND HE IS FETCHING HIS
(CONTINUED)

3. CONTINUED: Revision 2 2.
SON TO SCHOOL WHILE HIS WIFE IS DRESSED IN FLOWERY ORCHARD
DESIGNED DRESSED HAVING BREAKFAST TOGETHER.
MR. WILLIAM LIM
MR. LIM AT THE DINING TABLE AND IS HAVING BREAKFAST WITH
HIS
7-YEAR-OLD SON AFTER BREAKFAST. AND MR. LIM GIVES AN
ADVICE TO HIS SON WHILE HIS WIFE SMILED AND OBSERVED.
Son, I want you to know that
Daddy is starting a new life, a
new job. And I want you to do me
a favor.
SON
SON LOOKS AT HIS FATHER'S FACE AND SMILED, AND ANSWERED.
Yes, what can I do for you, Dad?
MR LIM
Make sure that this table is kept
clean after you use it. Can you
keep that promise?
SON
The Son agrees with a smile and
bows his head to his father and
Mr. Lim and his wife smiled and
agreed.
MR. WILLIAM LIM
Good, Remember, if you break this
promise, you will be punished.
INT - AUTHORIUM OF IBM
It is Mr Lim first day at work as the Chief Executive
Officer. And he begins his day with meeting the employees
of IBM at the auditorium.
MASTER OF CEREMONY - MS CHAN
Ladies and Gentleman, Good
Morning and please be seat
and kindly put your mobile
devices to silent mode please.
THERE IS MUSIC BACKGROUND (Just One Life) - WHILE THE
AUDIENCE IS WAITING.
MASTER OF CEREMONY - MS CHAN
Ladies and Gentleman, Kindly
please Welcome Our New CEO of
Singapore - Mr William Lim.
Audience Applause
(CONTINUED)

4. CONTINUED: Revision 2 3.
Mr William Lim is escorted to the stage by the female
saffron and he composed himself quickly to present his
opening speech.
MR. WILLIAM LIM
Good Morning Ladies and
Gentleman, Thank you for coming
for this first of one of many
sessions which I intend to plan
to have more talks like these
with you, no I am just joking.
The Audience Laugh.
Mr William continues the speech and smile to the audience.
It is an honor to see you, and I
want to humbly thank the
management to approve of my good
standing and employ me to be your
leader and a friend.
When I mean I say, Friend to you
it is not about like close
friends, but as professionals and
as family. I want to ensure every
and each of you are given the
oppuninity to grow your vision
and mission along side with IBM.
And there will be room for more
growth for mistakes and sharing
of joy when we do better in the
economy.
But to get there, we all need to
make sacrifices give and take.
Mr William turns his head to the left and right
Let me tell you once incident
that happen to me a long ago, I
was 22 working for the first
employer at a Japanese firm. I
was proud and full of confidence,
and I thought I could do anything
I wish without considering any
consequences.
Until one day, on a Monday
morning I was called into the
office where my Director and my
mentor was there.
My Director push a letter to me
across the table, it was a letter
of services termination. I was
hit with a shock and I could not
find words to say.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)

5. CONTINUED: Revision 2 4.
MR. WILLIAM LIM (cont'd)
In the letter, it says that I had
misbehaving and also perform
impropriate ethics such making
claims from the company expenses
which is not related to the
company's goals and plans. I also
did not seek advise, consult or
obtain approval from the
management concerning daily
issues at the company which has
cause employees to feel uneasy
and unhappy with me and my
actions.
I beg for a second chance but
they would not let me.
So they said to me, they are
letting me go like a clean table
because I came in clean.
The Moral of the story I am
trying to convey with my three
points is this:
1. Always ask when you are lost
and or in doubt, if you ask as
question - you will be less
stupid for a day, if you don't
ask, you will always be a fool
forever.
2. Always consider you actions
and seek advise or consultation,
this is a good best practice for
every employee. If you don't
apply this, then there will be
misunderstanding, and you will be
misunderstood.
3. And finally, Always listen at
90% and talk 10%, and what do I
mean is this - no one and not
even the managers or the head of
department will not argue with
you in getting things done, We
all need to work as a team
and those who are older - you are
only to advise not breathing
everyone's neck.
Lets work as a team and be
accountable to each other and to
your families. Once again, Thank
you for listening and have a good
journey.
(CONTINUED)

6. CONTINUED: Revision 2 5.
Everyone applause as Mr Lim makes his way to his seat on
the front row.
MASTER OF CEREMONY - MS CHAN
Thank you Mr Lim.
Thank you for coming everyone,
there is refreshment out side and
do meet the new CEO for a chat.
INT - AT HOME, AT 3PM
SON
SON IS HAVING HIS DESSERT, ICE CREAM, AND A BIG SLICE
CHOCOLATE CAKE FROM COFFEE CLUB AND A COLD TALL GLASS OF
VANILLA DRINK ALONG WITH CARAMEL SAUCE WITH LYCHEE
The son finished his dessert at 3 pm and left the table
dirty, he forgot about his promise he made to his father
and the camera focus on the table which is dirty.
INT - AT MR. LIM'S HOME AT TOA PAYOH, BLOCK 216, #10-09J
Son came home at 7pm for dinner and faces his father and
his mother. With a dirty table in sight.
MR LIM
Son, do you remember the promise
to me?
MR. LIM STARES AT HIS SON ALONG WITH HIS WIFE AND HAVING
HIS BELT IN HIS HAND ALL READY TO APPLY THE PUNISHMENT
THAT HIS SON DESERVES, HIS SON FELT GUILTY AND FEAR AND
PREPARES FOR UNCERTAIN PAIN AND FEAR ON HIS FACE.
MR. LIM TOOK OUT THE TABLE CLOTH AND CLEAN THE TABLE AND
ASK HIS SON TO TAKE A SEAT AND PREPARE FOR DINNER, HIS SON
FELT SURPRISED AND THEN HIS FATHER MR. LIM BEGIN TO SHARE
A PROVERB TO HIS SON.
MR LIM
Son, Life is like a Clean Table,
even when it's dirty, it makes
clean again. We need all need a
chance, to come clean and leave
clean. Your honesty to my
question defines your character
and your future. Remember this.
SON
(CONTINUED)

7. CONTINUED: Revision 2 6.
Son looks on and impressed of his father's action towards
the incident and learn from the situation from the facial
expression. Peace descends upon his heart knowing that 2nd
chances don't come by easy.
WIFE - MRS LIM
MRS. LIM LOOKS ON AND AGREED WITH MR. LIM'S ACTIONS AND
IMPRESSED WITH HER SON'S ACTION.
IN THE CLOSING SCENE
THE CAPTIONS END WITH THE BACKGROUND OF THE FAMILY....
OUR WORDS AND ACTIONS DEFINES OUR CHARACTER
THE END
The Soundtrack plays the ending credits(Just One Life)
CHARACTERS
MR William LIM (Main Character)
Mr. Lim is married to his wife Susan for over 25 years.
They have a son James who is 7-year-old attending his 1st
year of his Primary School at Toa Payoh. Mr. Lim works
hard at DBS bank downtown at Shenton Way for over 30 years
and has lived a full life having been a volunteer for his
school, church and the community at large at the Residents
Committee. He has awards and plagues on his walls and
glass cabinets that he shows off silently to his guests
that visit him and sometimes to his wife that felt
overwhelming and imitating by the presence of it.
Over the years, Mr. Lim has grown patient, wiser and
learned. He used to be temperamental in his younger days,
but he learns a very humbling and costly lesson because of
his over confidence and personal ego because at one time
he gives a strong encouragement to his employee that the
deadline is far more important than his family.
That statement Mr. Lim made cost him his job from his
previous employer. Mr. Lim realized that life is short and
being a leader is not about being in control, it's about
sharing and imparting empowerment to others so that others
will follow and respect the leader's action by example.
Mr. Lim realized very quickly that being a manager, a
father and as a person is all about living and setting a
good example and having a good name or good reputation is
more important than material gain.
MRS. Susan LIM (Supporting Character -WIFE)
(CONTINUED)

8. CONTINUED: Revision 2 7.
Mrs. Lim is the housewife for Mr. Lim for over 25 years
and she is expecting a surprise annual wedding anniversary
ceremony from her husband Mr. William Lim. She met William
Lim through an introduction between friends at the
University. Susan who loves classical piano, and dogs. She
is kind and loving, soft-spoken but stern when it comes to
discipline. She grew up with a family with a mixed
culture, her mother being Singaporean and her father who
is a Chinese Brunei Citizen 4th generation and hold a
permanent citizenship from Singapore.
Susan is 4 years younger than William, enjoyed having
meals with William and her son when she can, and tries to
influence her son James to learn piano.
James Lim - The SON (Main Character)
Son, Mr. Lim's Son who is 7 years old and growing up and
learning. He loves desserts because of the influence of
social media. James loved taking pictures of food with his
mobile phone, the S7 series from Samsung. He hangs out
with his friends at MacDonald's and Burger King with his
friends nearby at Toa Payoh Central Multi Transport
Interchange also known as the Hub. James finds studying
not his cup of coffee and prefers movies and food. And
with his latest new interest online gaming. James attends
1st Toa Payoh Primary School.
James is a Happy go lucky young boy, short tempered, loves
to make friends. Often forgetful, but he is serious about
the conversation he would have with his father or his
mother's. His honesty is yet to be tested by his father.
Mr. Chandra (The Managing Director)- Supporting Character
Mr. Chandra is the Managing Director of Human Resources at
DBS Bank at DBS Headquarters at Shenton Way. He first knew
Mr. Lim 25 years ago and hired Mr. Lim as a junior
position as Assistant Clerk at the Bank. Mr. Chandra has
worked for the bank for more than 35 years and is planning
to retire. He is a reasonable and shrewd man. He has a
degree from India from a well reputed University. A
patient and pragmatic man loves to buy art and dresses
Italian clothes. And wears Giorgio Armani gold frame
circle glasses, Short by the height of 5.2 feet high and
weigh over 120kg, big and overweight.
THE STORY - THE CLEAN TABLE
The Clean Table is about sharing
family values about Honesty. Mr.
Lim advises his son to clean the
dining table after each use and a
promised is made until one day
his son overlook to clean the
table and came home expecting to
be punished by his father.
(CONTINUED)

9. CONTINUED: Revision 2 8.
THE PLOT
The Short film explores the human
emotions of honesty from a young
7-year-old, does he learn the
character of his father and
models after it. The father's
test is to see what the future
holds for the son, the clean
table test.
GENRE
This is a short film design for
the general audience for families
of all ages. Its sets in the
modern day Singapore with an
average Singapore family, Chinese
Middle-Class Family living in a 4
room flat in the eastern part of
Singapore.
About The Lim's Home Décor Set
Mr. William Lim's home is well renovated and cleaned. His
home is painted with pastel pink in the living room and
his ceiling is white, his master bedroom is painted pastel
blue and the ceiling is white, and his two other common
rooms are painted in pastel green and the ceiling is
white. For his kitchen and bathrooms, they are painted
white with Italian Ceramics for both floor and wall, the
ceiling is white.
There's air conditioning unit in every room except for the
kitchen and bathrooms.
About Mr. Chandra's Office Set
Mr. Chandra's office is as big as a four-room HDB flat,
covered with leather wall paper and very elaborate ceiling
Italian design painting of Michael Angelo's Angels and it
felt as though it's singing. What amazing feeling it is
the sheer size, size matters along with power.
The Theme:
This Short Film "The Clean Table" is about the rewards and
value of telling the truth even if it will result in
painful repercussions in human relationships at work or at
home.
The Premise:
What is truth? The World is contemplating if truth still
exists as part of our daily moral living. Is truth good?
Why is there a need to hide the truth even if there are
painful repercussions? This short film will examine the
lost art between employee and boss and father to his son.
Will harsh punishment be the answer for correction of his
(CONTINUED)

10. CONTINUED: Revision 2 9.
own son when the father was given an ill treatment by his
own past experience? Does truth pay?
The Logline:
Father is going to decide to beat up his own son for
telling the truth, voices in his head are encouraging him
to payback his loss of his former job.
Point of Attack:
The Point of Attack begins when the Son promised his
Father that he would ensure the table will be clean each
time he used and dirty it.
The Plot:
From there the plot begins and closes on the son when he
forgot to clean the table after his dessert.
The Rising Action:
The Rising Action began when the son comes home and his
father was waiting for him at the dirty dining table.
Climax:
The Climax begins when fear in James Lim eyes when he
realizes he forgot to clean the table and promised is
broken made between his father as his mother had witnessed
his Orth. But he (James Lim) chose, to tell the truth
regardless of the outcome of the situation.
Resolution:
The resolution was made in a calm manner by William Lim,
but explaining to his son that telling the truth and
admitting the mistake he made is the right thing to do and
its ok. That brought the entire short film experience to a
breath taking end as the father explains that correction
is not about control or fear, it's about been honest to
yourself and not cheat any repercussions.
The short film ends with a moral value quotation.
Characters
Mr. William Lim - Father (Antagonist & Protagonist)
Mrs. Susan Lim - Wife & Mother (Supporting Character)
James Lim - The 7-Year Old Son (Protagonist)
Mr. Chandra - HR Director at DBS Bank (Protagonist,
Supporting Character)