A Good Price
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- 15 minutes ago
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. LIVING ROOM - 13:00
PETER is comfortably seated on the sofa, reading newspapers.
PETER (V.O.): When I was downstairs earlier, the caretaker invited me to take some free newspapers.
Reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I haven't read newspapers in a long time. I'm surprised by the abundance of ads, especially for package tours.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That explains why the online package tours I've booked are being offered at such a good price.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): A good price is the one I stop thinking about after I've paid for it.
Reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, there's an article about an affordable 5G smartphone equipped with an AI translation feature...
Act 2
INT. OCEAN CENTRE - 18: 30
An upscale shopping mall. Peter and his WIFE enter a luxurious IWC boutique.
PETER: I just hope that the model you've in mind is available for purchase.
An hour later, a beautiful, green-faced IWC watch is being boxed up in an elegant bag.
PETER (V.O.): Here, the watches aren't for display only. We can get exactly what we want timely and at a good price.
Watching.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): A good price is the alignment of cost, value, and desire at a single point in time. Change any one, and the deal is undone.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): A good price isn't the lowest number, but the fairest exchange. It leaves both the buyer and the seller with their dignity intact.
Then, the sales ASSOCIATE also hands them a bottle of premium white wine.
PETER: Thank you! That exeeds our expectations.
The sales associate warmly bid them farewell.
WIFE: We considered buying it at the Airport branch, but it turned out that selecting the model colour, adjusting the steel bracelet, or opting for the leather one, takes time.
Later, they stand at a counter, processing the purchase in exchange for a gift coupon.
PETER: Why not purchase the smartphone I've in mind to earn another gift coupon?
WIFE: Go ahead.
Fortress. Peter has an Honor 400 Smart phone box in his hands.
PETER (V.O.): The newspapers have a lot to answer for.
WIFE: You purchased an AI translator some time ago, but you've never used it during our travels abroad.
PETER: As a standalone device, it isn't very convenient. I believe this phone-based version will be much more useful.
They then return to the counter, where Peter gets his gift coupon.
WIFE: Oh, it's already past eight! We need to hurry back home.
PETER (V.O.): I know, we don't want to be too late for dinner with our son, the doctor.
They rush to the car park.
INT. DINING ROOM - 20:45
Quiet. The MAID is setting the table. Peter and his wife appear. They don't see their son.
WIFE (to Maid): Has our son come back yet?
MAID: Not yet.
PETER: He might be working overtime.
WIFE: No way. It's Friday evening. I've sent him a message to see if he's coming back for dinner, but I haven't received a reply.
Later, just when they finish dinner, their SON appears.
SON: I had to work overtime. I needed to admit a patient.
PETER (V.O.): We pay a good price for everything we love, not in currency, but in worry, time, and the piece of our heart we willingly surrender.
SON (Cont'd): I've already eaten at the hospital.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The best purchase is a lesson learned, regardless of the cost.
PETER: Join us for the dessert if you'd like.
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - 22:30
Peter uploads a photo depicting a gift coupon he got to a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O.): The world offers everything at a price. The wisdom lies in knowing which matters are worth the cost of my attention.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The final measure of a good price isn't the moment of purchase, but the echo of satisfaction that remains long after.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The true cost of anything is the life energy I'm willing to trade for it.
FADE OUT
END
Comments