A Life in Practice
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Oct 15
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. LIVING ROOM - 08:00
Soft, grey morning light filters through the window. An upright piano sits in one corner. Peter sips tea by the window. His second SON emerges.
PETER (V.O.): It's about time my son started driving to work.
Peter's son quickens his pace and heads to the main door.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): He has just begun working full-time in Hong Kong.
After watching him leaving, Peter brinks.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Having practised law in the public sector since 1985, I officially retired at the age of 60.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In 2017, at the age of 63, I began practising in the private sector.
Peter finishes his tea with a resolved air.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): A life in practice isn't just one story; it's many small attempts to resist being forgotten.
Act 2
INT. LIVING ROOM - 10:00
Peter opens the Duolingo app on his smartphones, determination in his eyes.
PETER (V.O.): Alright, let me keep my streaks alive.
Peter practises French.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): At WIPO conferences, I used to represent Hong Kong in Geneva, where the primary language is French.
Peter then practises Italian.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In Lugano, the primary language is Italian.
After that, Peter practises German.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In Zurich, the primary language is German.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've always envy those who can speak multiple languages.
EXT. CLEAR WATER BAY - 15:30
As Peter arrives, he notices the red flag waving.
PETER (V.O.): Still, I want to practise my strokes.
In his swimming briefs, Peter wades into the bay waters.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): There's always potential for enhancement.
Later, while relaxing on a floating platform, Peter glances up and spots an aircraft soaring across the sky.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Is it headed to Haneda?
FLASHBACK
INT. HALLWAY, VILLA FONTANE HANEDA - 07:15 (Sept 26, 2025)
Peter and his WIFE hurry toward the terminal with their luggage in tow. They rush past a street piano and Peter quickly touches it.
PETER (V.O.): I enjoyed it the last time, but this morning, time just won't allow for a repeat.
RETURN TO PRESENT
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Maybe I'd head home now to practise the piano.
INT. LIVING ROOM - 18:00
Peter sits at the upright piano, playing the notes and chords of "Sukiyaki" (Ue o Muite Arukou)
PETER (V.O.): The singer of this song was the late Kyu Sakamoto who was born in Kawasaki.
MONTAGE OF HEARING THE MELODY OF SUKIYAKI ON SEPT 23, 2025
A. Tokyo - Yokohama - When the train carrying Peter and his wife stops at the Kawasaki terminal, they hear the melody of "Sukiyaki".
B. Yokohama - Tokyo. As the train carrying Peter and his wife comes to a halt at the Kawasaki terminal, they hear the familiar melody of "Sukiyaki" playing.
END MONTAGE
Peter is practising the piano intro for the song.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I spent decades mastering the law so I could stand firm. Now, I practise the piano to learn how to be moved.
INT. LIVING ROOM - 20:00
Peter is relaxing on a sofa when his smartphone rings. After checking the caller's name, he answers the call.
PETER (to phone): Hi, my good friend...
Peter then engages in a lengthy, serious discussion, completely forgetting about the food being set on the dining table.
Act 3
INT. LIVING ROOM -22 :15
Peter uploads an image, depicting a street piano located in a hotel hallway leading to Haneda Terminal to a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O.): A life in practice is lived in the margins - the space between the stated rule and the human exception.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): To be in practice is to always be a beginner at something. The day I master everything is the day I cease truly live; I'd merely be reviewing.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I think I've been building a career, yet it feels like I'm only composing variations on a single enduring theme.
FADE OUT
END
Comments