A Resounding Cheer
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Jan 21, 2022
- 3 min read
FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. STUDY - 10:30
As PETER's smartphone#1 is linked with two Sony speakers, we hear music with extra bass sounds.
PETER (V.O.): I dedicate one smartphone to play an internet radio and an language game.
Reading an answer request on screen of smartphone#2, PETER is thoughts.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): He's asking me how can I help to cheer him up in adversity.
Peter checks Yahoo!Finance using his smartphone#3.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): After yesterday's surge, the Hong Kong stock market is trading lower this morning.
Tapping on the smartphone screen, Peter does an order to buy.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've a hunch that my entrepreneurship fund won't be in the red from today.
Putting a scale model car blue S13 on top of a flashing red speaker, Peter captures an image.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I don't know if I can live without music and cars, especially in adversity.
Act 2
INT. MALL#1 - 13:15
Smartphone repairer. Peter hands over smartphone#4 with a swollen battery to a STAFF.
PETER (V.O.): Today, I'm in good mood to have it repaired, helping micro business incidentally.
STAFF: When it's done tomorrow, we'll call you.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I know their charge is15% above average. But I don't care anymore.
FLASHBACK
INT. PRIVATE CLUB, ADMIRALTY - AFTERNOON (Early 2019)
Peter and a FRIEND (40s) are having caviar for afternoon tea.
PETER (V.O.): He's a fund manager. It's his lifestyle. I'm his honoured guest.
EXT. STREETS OF KOWLOON - EARLIER
As Peters taps his entrepreneurship fund on his smartphone screen, we see changing numerals in many green and red digits.
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I now recognise the power of investment. Someone works for you while you aren't working.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But there's a catch - the gain can either be positive or negative.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And if one can gain or lose so much money in a second, one wouldn't care about trifles.
INT. CHAMBERS - 14:00
Reading some briefs, Peter is in thoughts.
PETER (V.O.): I can easily lose several days' earnings in one stock trading day.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): This has been the case for the past two months. Weeks earlier I had some small gain.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I thought I was investing in rock-bottom time. But I wasn't right.
INT. MALL#2 - 14:45
Waiting for his takeaway, Peter checks the performance of his entrepreneurship fund again.
PETER (V.O.): Trading today is becoming flat. Not sure if my negative gain will go away.
Peter gets his takeaway.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I don't spend a lot of money on food and drinks.
Picking up a call, Peter engages in a conversation.
PETER (To phone): It's better to replace the parts? Okay, replace them.
PETER (V.O.): I've been spending a lot in repairing my old cars.
Smiling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That's how I help maintain jobs in a small way, indirectly.
EXT. PARK - 16: 45
Peter stops his jogging to check his entrepreneurship fund again. We see green numerals on screen.
PETER (V.O.): Ha, the first time since mid-Nov, 2021! But my total gain after four months of investment is less than my earning in one day!
Act 3
INT. STUDY - 21:00
The TV shows images of US-Russia negotiations at the President Hotel in Geneva,
PETER (V.O.): I once dined there at the invitation of the DG of WIPO. I was talking about creating public value via trading of IP.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.): Working in retirement, my entrepreneurship fund project makes more sense to me than anything.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In time, all things, whether public or private, will get better.
Smiling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's Friday. I can hear a resounding cheer in my heart.
The green light in his red Sony speaker is flashing.
THE END.
FADE OUT
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