A Passage Through Time
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Dec 28, 2023
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. STUDY - 23:30 (The night before)
After publishing a screenplay, PETER brows through his previous works on screen including "When We're Young" with a black-and-white image of two young man.
PETER (V.O.): I feel a wave of nostalgia washes over me.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): On Dec 27, 2022, I wrote a screenplay dedicated to my former matriculation classmate Cheung Kam-sin who had passed away in Macao.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Due to the then Macao's Covid travel restrictions, I couldn't attend his funeral.
We see Peter has got an idea.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I can revisit the school we went together on my way back my NT home.
Act 2
EXT. YEUNG LONG AREA - 13:00
Coming out from the Long Ping metro station, Peter looks confused.
PETER (V.O.): My first time getting off from this station.
Walking along a pedestrian walkway, Peter observes the surroundings.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): The passage of time has brought significant changes to the town.
Then, Peter looks excited.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): On my right is the Yuen Long District Office, I worked there from 1976 - 1980, in the Squatter Control Unit.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): The upside was that as I had to drive my to discharge official duties, I got car-related allowances.
Using his mobile, Peter takes photos of the old office buildings.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): The downside was that I hated the destructive nature of my work.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Ah! It looks no different from 1971 - 1973, when Kam-sin and I studied here.
Having captured images of the School, Peter stares at its basketball court.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): The black-and-white photo depicting Kam-sin and me was taken there.
Reminiscing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): It was actually a group photo...including Chan King-chau and Wu Shue-fun...
Reminiscing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): In summer 1974, they're struck dead by lightning at Lantau Peak during a sunrise climb.
Reminiscing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): So many memories...It feels like just yesterday.
Later, we see Peter swimming laps in a public swimming pool.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): While preparing for my LLB exams in 1984, I came here to clear my mind.
Swimming.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Swimming is my simple and cheap pleasure. Does it make me rich in any way?
Later, we see Peter walking past a row of catering shops.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): When Kam-sin and others needed pocket money, I lured them to work with me.
Sighing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Kam-sin died a billionaire.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): In 2014, he was very sick but cheated death. Should he content with the bonus years he lived?
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): No. One has to do whatever it takes to survive.
INT. PETER'S NT HOME - 17:00
Peter is decluttering a number of files marked "WTO Panel".
PETER (V.O.): Apart from me, who cares that I had the privilege to determine disputes among US & Australia v European Communities from 2004-2005?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): What motivates me to declutter them now is that I don't want to leave the mess to those surviving me.
Act 3
INT. STUDY - 22:00
Working on a laptop, Peter selects an AI drawing and inserts it into a draft.
PETER (V.O): This AI drawing is entitled "A Passage Through Time", depicting the impact of the past on the present.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I've experienced a lot, and I can remember how I've transited from one stage of my life to another.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): While I think nostalgia can be a powerful tool for self-reflection. I must be adaptable to change which is the only constant in life.
FADE OUT
THE END
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