Back to the Future
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Sep 3, 2021
- 3 min read
FADE IN.
Act 1
EXT. ROADS - DAY
PETER is driving an 8-Seater Previa.
PETER (V.O.): I bought it in 2000.
SEQUENCE OF PETER'S MEMORIES OF HIS PREVIA.
A. 1993, Guam Airport. Peter and his wife-to-be, get on board a 1st generation Previa.
B. 2000. Home. Peter is reading a car magazine, featuring images of Toyota Previa and Toyota MR-2.
C. 2000. Toyota showroom. Peter and his wife sit inside a Previa. Later, Peter examines the convertible MR-2.
D. 2000. Peter is driving a Silver Grey Previa. His wife, 4 children and 2 maids are the passengers.
END SEQUENCE
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): For a minivan, Previa looks stunning. It has a steep front fascia and a gigantic windshield.
Act 2
EXT/INT. PETER'S NT HOME - AFTERNOON
Peter parks his Previa on the road side.
PETER (V.O.): When the car was brand new, we woke up one Sunday morning to find that its windshield had been shot at.
Recalling,
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The windshield didn't break and the chip didn't affect the driver's vision.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Although I was a perfectionist, it wasn't cost-effective to replace the gigantic windshield.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Then, I read about some new material that might fix it cosmetically. I got the repairer to do it but it lasted for a few days.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Gradually, I've got used to the imperfection.
Entering the front garden and car park, Peter goes to start his numeric-blue SMART car.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In 2000, I fancied about buying a MR-2 too. Then I tried soul coaxing myself that its manual soft roof wasn't futuristic.
Peter moves the car from the rear of the car park to the front.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In 2002, while my wife and I were transiting in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, we saw a SMART car on display for the 1st time.
Getting out of the car, Peter takes a photo of it from the grass level.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In 2003, my wife and I visited a SMART car show and found that the unique numeric-blue model was available for sale.
Peter checks the image.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I wanted to buy it and promised my wife that I won't have more than 6 cars at any one time.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm still loving it. It's my only car that would make people turn their heads and smile.
Peter gets inside his 3-storey house.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When my Dad was still alive and my children were young, we used to have regular family Saturday dinners in Hung Shui Kiu before coming back to stay overnight.
Having gone to the kitchen fridge to get an ice lolly, Peter opens a garbage bag.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): For many years now, only I would come back during the day to do some decluttering.
Opening a box file, Peter skims through some papers.
PETER (V.O.): Those were the visions projected by an Alliance back in the early 2000s.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It is said that if one puts one's mind on a mission/vision, one can accomplish it.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The "future" as written down then, as I look back now, did not actually happen.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Circumstances are dynamic. Many realities are unforeseen.
Peter looks at other box files and papers near him.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I don't need any roads/highways to go back to the future. My house is quite a time capsule/machine.
People dumps the papers into the garbage bag.
Act 3
EXT. ROADS - NIGHT
Driving his Previa, Peter takes a look of the center-mounted instrument cluster.
PETER (V.O.): I was very impressed with the dashboard design. It was futuristic then.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): As an elderly now, I still believe my future is whatever I make it. I've made a good one in the past.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Back to the future, I wonder if I could make a better one. To sustain the present one is good enough.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): This 21-year old car is still good.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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