Brain Fog & Grey Folder
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - 06:15
Grey light seeps through the curtains. PETER lies awake, eyes open, staring at the ceiling.
PETER (V.O.): I feel tired, but I can't fall asleep again. Perhaps, learning Korean would help me.
Grabbing his smartphone, Peter opens the Duolingo app and begins his daily quest.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My wife and I are visiting Seoul in early June, and I hope to be able to speak some Korean.
Later, we hear a soft, insistent whinning coming from beside the bed.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Alright, we'll share breakfast shortly. I'm about to complete two out of seven streaks.
We can hear Peter practising his Japanese.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I cling to small wins: Duolingo streaks extended, a dog fed, and more.
Soon, KAJI, the family pet, guides Peter out of the room.
Act 2
INT. DINING ROOM - 13:00
Peter sees his WIFE enjoying her breakfast.
PETER (V.O.): My wife is like an owl, sleeping soundly when morning breaks.
PETER: When the rain stops, I'll go to Silverstrand Bay to swim.
WIFE: I go to the gym every Wednesday.
EXT. SILVERSTRAND BEACH - 15:30
We hear a public annoucement: the Bay is closed due to detected oil stains.
PETER (V.O.): I meant to swim right now!
Peter sees WORKERS on a boat using brooms to absorb the oil stains from the surface of the Bay.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): External chaos invade my orderly world.
Ringtones fill the air as Peter's wife calls.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): What a surprise! Isn't she supposed to be working out with her coach right now?
WIFE: My coach asks me to call you...my head is all fuzzy. Can't quite think straight. Could you...
PETER: Oh dear, resting in the gym is what you need now. I'll have a very quick swim in Clear Water Bay, and I'll pick you up afterwards.
EXT. STREET, TSIMSHATSUI - 17:00
Peter's wife gets into Peter's car.
PETER: I rushed over, but instead of seeing you, I only spotted an ambulance. Let's go home, and you can seek medical advice from our son and daughter-in-law.
Later, as Peter's wife is prepared to get out, she searches for something.
WIFE: Where's my backpack?
PETER: I didn't see you carrying one.
WIFE: I thought I had been carrying the backpack the whole time...I must have left it inside a locker. Let's return to the gym...
INT. LIVING ROOM - 19:00
We see Peter's wife talking to the phone.
WIFE (to phone): ...It's like my thoughts are birds...and someone left the cage open...
Peter searches for something.
PETER (V.O.): My plan was to complete my tax returns this afternoon.
Searching.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But I can't find the documents. I thought they're in the briefcase. Vanished!
Peter dumps the briefcase contents onto a desk.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Nothing.
PETER: Have you seen my documents?
WIFE: No....but you put your stuff in a corner.
PETER (V.O.): Misplaced by myself? Funny how things I organize to save time...end up stealing it.
Checking the corner, Peter finds a grey folder and checks the document inside.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I kept them safe in the grey folder and then completely forgotten I hadn't placed them inside the briefcase!
Sighing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My panic over tax papers isn't about taxes - it's about control.
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - 21:00
Peter inserts an AI drawing titled "Brain Fog & Grey Folder..." into a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O): "Brain fog" embodies the body's quiet rebellion, and "Grey Folder" symbolises misplaced control. Aging affects my wife and me.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O) Cont'd): Today, I feel like my wife and I are building a life out of missing pieces. Anyhow, true partnership is mutual rescue.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): The Streaks, both Duolingo's and life's, are harder to keep than they look. Grow old like us - committed, frustrated and doggedly human.
FADE OUT
END
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