Antique White
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Jul 4, 2025
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM -07:45
Sitting up in bed, PETER gazes at the shelves and doors.
PETER (V.O.): They're still white.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The other day, my wife confirmed that the colour of the fittings and fixtures of my room being renovated in the other apartment will be white.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I know they'll eventually fade to an antique white.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My first set of drums was in sparkling white, but after a year or two, they turned an unsightly yellow, so I threw them away.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've a white acoustic guitar and a white electric bass guitar. After storing them in gig bags, they've turned antique white.
Act 2
INT. CHAIN STORE - 14:15
Daily use items on display. Peter is looking for alternative solutions.
PETER (V.O.): As a result of leaks, the wallpaper on walls and ceilings in my NT home has become peeled and damaged.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I paid extra to make sure the contractor addressed the leaks before proceeding with repainting the exterior.
Peter inspects items as he moves from one section to another.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When it comes to the interior, the ideal scenario would be to renovate, but it's currently filled with my belongings and those of my family members.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.): Given the circumstances, I've been contemplating ways to enhance the appearance.
Peter spots cans of spray paint in white.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, that's right! I can use the spray paint to mask the cracks.
Peter buys two cans.
INT. PETER'S NT HOME - 16:00
Sitting room, G/F. Peter is decluttering a corner.
PETER (V.O.): The dado is very torn and worn.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Why not try the spray paint and see if the result appeals to me?
Peter sprays white paint onto the discoloured dado and checks the result,.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's better than allowing it to remain in its current state.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I now recall that some hotels appy white paint to hide minor damage and discolouration.
Studio 1/F. A Yamaha piano with its lid still open.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I intentionally left the lid open to allow the old keys to "breathe", especially since the low F key was silent.
Peter runs a finger along the antique white low F key - today, it clicks back to life under his touch. Peter smiles.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): With one less worry, I can say that all the keys have worked well since I bought it in 1976.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've already scheduled a professional to perform a health check and tune it.
Peter plays "A Summer Place" reasonably well.
.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): No new piano can replace this one - it's the piano Sharon played.
Penhouse, 2/F. Peter stares at the discoloured wallpaper on the ceiling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In addition to the antique white, there're stains scattered throughout.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I think the most effective way to enhance the appearance is to spray paint in antique white over it.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Let me explore where can I buy the spray paint in antique white?
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I must remember that a contractor had a serious fall while renovating the penthouse.
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - 22:15
Peter uploads an AI drawing titled "Antique White..." to a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O.): Antique white: Where dust settles like a second skin, and every scratch is a testament to living.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In my NT home, I'll paint over the cracks with antique white, pretending it's artistry, not necessity.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Antique white is the colour of memory - not faded, but softened by time, like the pages of a love letter read too often.
FADE OUT
END
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