Back Up
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Aug 19, 2021
- 3 min read
FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Mobile in hand, PETER checks images on screen.
PETER (V.O.): My Googles Photos backup has stopped. An easy option is to buy storage. Do I really need any back up?
Peter sees the images albums of 2021, 2020, 2019 & 2018
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, I've taken lots of photos about work in retirement.
Strolling down the screen, Peter checks the albums of 2017, 2016 & 2015.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I was adapting to life in retirement. Were the images sweet or bitter?
Strolling down the screen, Peter checks the few images in albums of 2014, 2013 & 2012.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I had my first smart phone on New Year Eve 2011. I didn't think high of its camera functions.
It's 3.30am in the morning.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Now, I only use smart phones to take photos and iPad mini to take videos. To get back-up storage seems to be the solution.
Act 2
INT. STUDY - MORNING
Peter looks preoccupied.
PETER (V.O.): I should have kept my sleeping routine. But the photos/videos were so captivating. They captured the moments gone forever.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I wanted to relive the moments. That might be one reason I didn't sleep well.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The other one is that I promised to respond to a liaison officer today about my availability next week. But I couldn't tell even now.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): It was just hours ago I told my Tsinghua friends that I'd join the upcoming Friday lunch gathering.
Phone rings. Peter takes the call anxiously but ends it quick.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Just another cold call.
Carrying a bag of swimming gear, Peter is on the way out.
Phone rings again: We hear: Chambers...Peter takes the call.
SOMEONE (From phone): Can you appear in court tomorrow and next Thursday? It seems that you've an...
PETER (V.O.): My appointment next Thursday has been vacated. For tomorrow, it's just a social gathering. No clashes of work schedules after all!
PETER: Yes, please accept the briefs for me.
Peter then types busily on his mobile.
PETER (V.O.): I've emailed the liaison officer and kept my promise. My Tsinghua friends should accept my apologies.
Looking good.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I also have a voluntary work appointment early next week. I now know that I can go for sure.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I didn't know my availability until I know the exact dates of my priority engagements.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Appearing in court isn't just for the money, but the on-the-job learning experience. I don't want to miss that if schedule clashes can be avoided.
Peter returns to his sofa.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I've got to change my plan and prepare for tomorrow's hearing.
INT. RESTAURANT - AFTERNOON
Peter reads the lunch menu.
PETER (V.O.): Bitter Melon Beef Rice? I must have it.
FLASHBACK
INT. RESTAURANT, KAM TIN, NT - NOON (1973)
Peter (19) is having Bitter Melon Beef Rice.
PETER (V.O.): I've never tired of having it before my afternoon teaching.
RETURN TO PRESENT
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): And then in 1974, I began dating my wife who was also teaching in the same college.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): The information came most timely. I like to believe my late wife can listen to my inner voice and provide me her back-up support.
EXT. HONG KONG PARK - LATER
Walking towards the High Court Library, Peter surveys the environment near it.
PETER (V.O.): Thirty years ago, my office was at the current High Court Library. On one occasion, my wife with our kid came and waited for me nearby. I captured the moment in a photo.
Act 3
INT. HIGH COURT LIBRARY - LATER
Thick books on the table, Peter dozes off.
EXT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Peter inserts an image in his diary.
PETER (V.O.): Only 1001 words is better than an image.
Peter takes a look of his Google Photos icon.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): While misfortune can be a part of life, getting some back up makes one live better.
: FADE OUT.
THE END
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