A Big Event
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- May 8, 2021
- 2 min read
FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
PETER rolls over in bed.
PETER (V.O.): I had milk before going to bed. It's been hours but I still couldn't fall asleep.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Why am I staying awake? I only need to appear in court on Monday.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Yes, my wife and I have a Saturday dinner engagement...
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I must be feeling very excited. Yes, it's a big event.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If I can't sleep, I might go swimming early in the morning.
Act 2
EXT. SWIMMING POOL - LATER
Resting at the pool wall, Peter has his knees being massaged by the jet water.
PETER (V.O.): Having exercised myself, perhaps I could have an afternoon nap.
Peter checks his diamond ring at the ring finger.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I got this one in 1993. I first married in 1979. That's some 42 years ago.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My children are relatively young. They're doing reasonably well on all fronts.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm glad that I can witness that.
INT. BEDROOM - EARLY AFTERNOON
Lying against the bed back, Peter is typing on his phone.
PETER (V.O.): Although I'm tired, I couldn't have a nap. I'd better make good use of my time to entertain some Quorans.
Peter then gets a message.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's a gentle reminder from my elder son regarding our dinner engagement tonight.
Peter replies to the message.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's a big event to Dad and Mom.
Soon, Peter sees a message: Relax! It's meant to be a casual dinner.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): True, it's only in the early afternoon.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): To pass the time, I meant to prepare for Monday's trial.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But it's a case of domestic violence. I'm disinclined to examine the details.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I don't want it to spoil my mood. Let me just respond to more answer requests from the Quora platform.
Peter types and types on his phone. He then counts something.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've done over 20 answers. But dinner time is still hours away.
Peter's YOUNGER SON appears.
YOUNGER SON: What dishes would Mom prepare tonight?
PETER: No, we're eating out. You've to make your own arrangement.
PETER (V.O.): It's a surprise. He often has his dinner engagements.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm just wondering what it would be like when we gather around the dinner table tonight?
Act 3
SEQUENCE OF PETER'S DINING EXPERIENCE
A. In a harbour view restaurant, Peter, his WIFE, his ELDER SON and his GIRL FRIEND sit around a table, chatting and eating together.
B. Later, his elder son and his girl friend put a Happy Birthday cake on the table. Peter looks moved.
C. Parting, Peter and his wife look pleased to see the young couple walking hand in hand.
RETURN TO PRESENT
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Lying in bed, Peter looks very pleased.
PETER (V.O.): We had good dinner hours, particularly the conversations.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I was led to believe it was a casual dinner. But it wasn't. It's actually a big event for me.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've never had a special occasion like this before.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I believe tonight's dinner engagement should lead to a big change before long.
Peter sleeps like a baby.
FADE OUT.
THE END
Comments