Beyond the Surface
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Jan 8, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 1, 2025
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. LIVING ROOM - 10:30
Cosy, filled with little things. Sitting on a sofa with his smartphone, PETER focues on Duolingo and repeats phrases in Spanish.
PETER: Como estas?...Donde esta la biblioteca?
Recalling.
PETER (V.O): After his stroke, Alfred can't speak properly anymore.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): But every time I visit him, he tries to speak in English. It's like watching a flower bloom in slow motion.
Sighing, Peter returns to his daily lessons in seven languages.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): One of my daily objectives is to maintain my Duolingo streaks. So far so good for the past 240 days.
Act 2
INT. TUNG WAH HOSPITAL - 12:20
Ward. A frail ALFRED sits up in bed; his WIFE serves him food. They see Peter appearing with cups of fruit in his hand.
PETER: Hi there! Here I come!
Alfred extends his left hand and Peter holds it warmly.
ALFRED: ...When...un...available...
PETER: When...un...available?
ALFRED'S WIFE: He's asking you when will you travel in January?
PETER: In about a week's time...my wife and I need to give some mental support to our younger daughter in Japan...
A NURSE enters, noticing in particular a cup of scarlet-coloured dragon fruit.
NURSE: Ah, that's why he had bright-red stool....
PETER: Oh, that's confusing. I'll only bring white dragon fruit next time.
As Alfred's SON appears, Peter exits.
PETER (Cont'd): See you tomorrow!
EXT. KWUN TONG PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL 14:20
Arriving, Peter sees a blocked entrance.
PETER (V.O.): I come here because the Sun Yat Sen pool is closed for cleansing.
Investigating, Peter sees a sign: Closed for maintainance until 21 Feb 2025.
EXT. SILVERSTRAND BEACH - 16:30
Waves crushing against the shore. Peter, in a wetsuit and with a cyber-green float, hears an annoucement: Lifeguard services will end in 30 minutes.
PETER (V.O): That's good enough for my swimming in cold water.
Peter plunges into the water.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): The cold is enveloping me. I've to fight against it.
Peter swims towards the outer limit of the swimming area,
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I wear a wetsuit to extend survival time should anything happen to me. With a cyber-green float, my whereabouts, even beyond the surface, can be located.
Later, Peter is in the changing room.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I feel very cold...I may shiver and get mentally confused.
Peter dresses quickly, putting his hands in the pockets.
INT. DINING ROOM - 20:30
Over dinner, Peter's WIFE dreamily chats with Peter.
WIFE: What if I win tonight's Mark Six jackpot...
Peter chuckles.
WIFE (Cont'd): But think about it! All that money!
PETER: Yeah, why do we always end up buying those wrong numbers?
Sensing Peter's mood, her excitment dims.
WIFE: It's just luck.
Peter stares at his plate, lost in thought.
PETER (V.O): I just want to be healthy and live a good life.
MONTAGE OF IMAGES OF SHARON, AH CHUNG, AH SHE, DEBBIE, AH SHUI, TONY & SAM.
Act 3
INT. STUDY - 24:00
Peter inserts an AI drawing titled: "Beyond the Surface..." to a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O): What I perceive is often a fraction of reality and my routines significantly influence my personal growth.
Thinking,
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): In the face of adversity, it's essential to accept and adapt to life's changes. I make the most of everything that comes my way.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): True happiness often stems from simple pleasures and good health, rather than material wealth.
FADE OUT
THE END
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