An Afternoon Nap
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Aug 27
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - 01:00
The glow of the laptop screen illuminates PETER's focused face. He takes a deep breath.
PETER (V.O.): Time to let it out.
He clicks the "Publish" button on Facebook and X. Quickly, he grabs his mobile and moves to LinkedIn
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I just copy the Facebook link to my screenplay and post it.
He glances at the clock.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I aim to finish everything before midnight, but I won't publish it until I'm reasonably satisfied with my dramatic work.
Peter looks exhausted.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've yet to write my diary...when I wake up, I'll continue my Duolingo streaks as usual, followed by a swim at Silverstrand.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And I'll enjoy a bowl of soup noodles with prawn and garlic chive dumplings as my afternoon tea at around 3pm.
Act 2
INT. BEDROOM - 16:00
Peter lies in bed, thinking.
PETER (V.O.): My wife won't be back until 5pm...should I play the piano or the guitar? I just don't feel inclined.
Peter blinks, disoriented.
MONTAGE: PETER'S DREAMSCAPE
A. Decent. An endless soft gray void envelops Peter's eyes.
B. Floating. Peter drifts aimlessly, suspened in silence, lost in the tranquility of nothingness.
C. Embrace of Stillness. Thoughts dissolve as Peter surrenderS to the calm silence.
END MONTAGE
The angle of sunlight in the room has changed. It's later, much later. Peter slowly pushes himself up on his elbows, looking around as if seeing the room for the first time.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I...I napped.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I can't remember the last time I took a nap.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Was I too tired? All that rushing about...Duolingo, the swim, the nooldles...a hectic routine for an old man.
Peter swings his legs over the side of the bed.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): A nap doesn't shorten the day; it divides it into two smaller, more manageable lives.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Napping mutes the world's noise, pausing the chaos outside. When I wake, the volume returns, but I hold on the silence beneath.
Peter sits up in bed.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's the luxury of lettting the daylight watch over me while I sleep.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That deep, dreamless afternoon sleep - it's not an emptiness, but a fullness of stillness.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I don't realize how much I need to stop until my body gently, and without asking, does it for me.
Peter's WIFE appears.
WIFE: A technician has already arrived and adjusted the door direction of the new refrigerator.
Peter nods.
PETER (Cont'd): I knew the technician was scheduled to arrive between 5pm and 7pm and thought I might help.
WIFE (Cont'd): You're taking a nap.
Peter smiles. He stretches.
PETER (V.O.): I chase sleep at night as a duty. I find it in the afternoon as a grace.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I like to think that a good afternoon nap isn't a sign of fatigue; it's the proof of a day well-lived.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I schedule my life down to the hour, yet the most restorative moment of my day was the one I forgot to plan.
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - 20:30
Peter uploads an image of the serene scene of Silverstrand to a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O.): I spent years building a routine to fill my days. It took an unexpected nap to show me the value of the space between them.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): An afternoon nap isn't a scheduled event; it's a surprise party my body throws for my soul when it knows I need it most.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My afternoon nap is a short journey into nothingness, from which I return with a little more of everything: more patience, more peace, more presence.
FADE OUT
END
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