A Stillness on the 25th

Peter K F Cheung SBS
40 minutes ago
3 min read

FADE IN
Act 1
INT. LIVING ROOM - 21:30
PETER relaxes on a sofa with a smartphone in hand.
PETER (V.O.): I just enjoyed a delicious meal lovingly prepared by my wife.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I had hoped that we could have dinner with our pet at the waterfront park.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The day wasn't what I planned. But what it needed to be.
While checking WhatsApp messages, he notices a new one with a greeting card.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's from Emily, featuring her original painting - an intellectual dessert to me.
Peter looks at his WIFE, KAJI, the family pet. The room is quiet but full. Not empty, but still.
Act 2
FLASHBACK
INT. DINING ROOM - 20:30 (Last night)
Peter and his wife enjoy a meal of pork chops, vegetables, and crabs, while Kaji sits nearby, patiently waiting for her treat.
PETER: I've been thinking about tomorrow.
WIFE: We won't go anywhere without our beloved family pet by our side.
PETER: The waterfront park then...
His wife considers.
EXT. LOBBY/ESTATE STREET - 09:00
Reception. A CARETAKER greets RESIDENTS.
CARETAKER: Merry X'mas.
PETER: Same to you.
CARETAKER: Going anywhere during the holidays?
PETER: No. Staying home.
PETER (V.O.): I did my December travel about 10 days ago.
Peter walks towards the mall.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): A holiday for me as a self-employed is just a weekday I can't get anything delivered. For others, it's a sanctuary in time.
INT. STREETS OF KOWLOON - 13:30
Carrying his swim bag, Peter walks towards a public pool.
PETER (V.O.): Fewer cars, fewer people.
He waits before the trafffic lights.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Not everyone celebrates with noise. Some celebrates with a pause.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): December 25: a moment when even the busy world pauses to take a breath, and in that stillness, I can feel a sense of tranquility.
Later, he notices a family walking by, dragging their luggage behind them.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The most precious travel on the 25th isn't to a place, but to a different pace.
INT. LIVING ROOM - 15:30
Just when Peter is about to play the piano, he notices a WhatsApp message: Peter, we'd like to seek your views on something. When would be the convenient time for you?
PETER (V.O.): Now.
MONTAGE OF WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.
A. LIVING ROOM. Peter engages in a lengthy conversation with someone on the phone.
B. RIVERSIDE PARK. LATER. Absent-mindedly, Peter follows his wife and Kaji through the park.
C. WATERFRONT PARK. LATER. Peter lags behind, researching on his smartphone while typing on the screen.
D. LIVING ROOM. LATER. Peter exchanges ideas with his wife before typing on his phone screen further.
END MONTAGE
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My perfect day has been redefined from a casual plan to an authentic contribution.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've learned not to guard my perfect silence fiercely as I might lock out the gentle knock that gives it meaning.
RETURN TO PRESENT
Act 3
INT. LIVING ROOM - 22:30
Peter uploads a photo of a shimmering city skyline at night, illuminating by colourful lights reflecting on the water to a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O.): Stillness isn't the absence of sound, but the presence of space - space to hear what matters.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): True stillness isn't something I find, but something I allow.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I sought a day of stillness on the 25th. What I got was a dynamic stillness that flowed from my home, into someone's concerns, to the parks, and back again, richer than before.
The END
FADE OUT