90th Anniversary
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Sep 18, 2021
- 3 min read
FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY (Sept 16, 2021)
Attending a meeting, PETER checks a notification.
PETER (V.O.): Hmm, a pretty urgent task as time is ticking. But I've got a lunch appointment tomorrow.
Peter reads the notification again.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It seems that Sept 18, (Sat) morning should work me and others.
Typing and sending his reply quickly, Peter refocuses on the meeting agenda.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I haven't worked on any Saturday since 1 July 2006.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It has been a windfall. I originally thought that Hong Kong's 6-day week would remain unchanged after June 30, 1997.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): As a self-employed, working a pay-job on Saturday doesn't have any opportunity cost.
Act 2
EXT. ROADS - MORNING (Today)
Peter drives towards Castle Peak Bay.
PETER (V.O.): No traffic jams. How nice!
EXT. CAFETERIA BAY - NOON
Parting an INTERPRETER, Peter walks towards the beach.
PETER (V.O.): Although I've something to follow up, let me swim awhile meanwhile.
EXT. BEACH WATERS - LATER
Peter swims not far away from the shore.
PETER (V.O.): I don't know why there's no lifeguard service here even on a Saturday. Anyway, it's a cool thing to swim after work.
EXT. ROADS - AFTERNOON
Driving, Peter listens to the radio. We hear one anchor singing parts of the song Pink Cloud Chasing the Moon (彩雲追月).
PETER (V.O.): Oh yes, the mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. It's coming Tuesday, Sept 21.
We hear another anchor singing parts of the song Pink Cloud Chasing the Moon.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, they're actually sharing some singing techniques. I've never learned to sing.
Peter sings along with those on air.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's fun! This Cantonese opera song Pink Cloud Chasing the Moon (彩雲追月). is really good. It highlights the state of my mind. It reinforces my link to my roots.
EXT. FAIRVIEW PARK - LATER
Strolling along the lake path, Peter takes photos.
PETER (V.O.): I'm capturing something beautiful - peace.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But I haven't come back on a Saturday for over 10 years.
EXT. ROADS - LATER
Peter drives towards Kowloon, listening to the radio: We hear: Today is the 90th anniversary of the Manchurian/Murkden Incident...
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh yes! How can I forget?
From the radio, we hear: On Sept 18, 1931, Japanese military personnel detonated dynamite close to its railway line near Murkden (now Shenyang) and began its invasion of China.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Hong Kong was also under Japanese occupation from December 1941 to August 1945.
Then we hear from the radio a song: Along the Songhua River (在松花江上).
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The song narrates the lives of the people who had lost their homeland on Sponghua River after the Murkden incident in 1931.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh I've heard this patriotic song before.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In the early 1960s, I was around the age 6-7. My Mum taught me to sing the songs she liked. One of the numbers in her song book was Along the Songhua River.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The first few verses about people and their homes were particularly touching.
From the radio, we hear: Chairman Mao said that one song of resistance was as strong as two divisions of soldiers.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That's the alternative power of songs. Songs can bring all types of tears and strengths.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm inspired. I should write more good songs.
Act 3
INT. RELATIVE'S HOME - EVENING
RELATIVES singing.
PETER (V.O.): If there's anything out of rhythm, songs can tune things up.
Peter takes photos depicting his WIFE as the photographer.
PETER (V.O.): She should be in the photo.
After sending the photos via What'sApp, Peter checks the time.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh the 90th anniversary of the Manchurian Incident is about to end. But I would write about it.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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