Carry You Differently
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - 20:00
Cluttered. Sitting up in bed, PETER strolls slowly.
PETER (V.O.): Here's a HKUST Father's Day video clip. I didn't see it yesterday.
We see a cheerful cartoon scene where colourful balloons float in the air. Then the camera cuts to reveal a father walking in while carrying his son, and the son holds onto the ballons.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It reminds me of the 2009 Pixar film: UP.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The balloons are beautiful. But they're not the point. The point is what you carry when they're gone.
He reads the text, his lips moving silently.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Dream bigger. Reach higher.
He sets his phone down.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My father never said any of that.
Act 2
FLASHBACK
INT. PETER'S NT HOME - 15:30 (Father's Day 2026)
A cluttered time capsule. Shelves lined with framed photos and books. In one corner, there's a large framed photo of Sharon in black frames. Peter looks through the glass front door.
PETER (V.O.): Ah, our son's car is being parked outside.
Peter then welcomes his SON, DAUGHTER-IN-LAW and GRANDCHILD inside.
SON: Happy Father's day.
PETER: Thank you.
PETER (V.O.) : They meant to visit last Sunday, but the weather wasn't good. Postponing it to Father's Day is even better.
DAUGHTER-IN-LAW: Dad, would you like to hold your grandchild?
PETER: Sure!
Peter gently steps in and takes his grandchild from his daughter-in-law, holding the baby securely and supporting the head and back.
PETER (Cont'd): You're so good.
After they settle on the sofa and have their drinks, Peter makes a solemn opening remark.
PETER: This house is where Mum and Dad started our family story.
Peter takes a look of Sharon's photo.
PETER (Cont'd): Mum had one regret: she said:" I'll never know what our son would become."
PETER (V.O.): That was the thing that broke her. Not the dying young. The not knowing.
PETER (Cont'd): The not knowing...now you're all here.
They gaze at Sharon's photo together.
PETER (V.O.): Turns out our son's a lawyer - not a cellist.
Peter looks at his daughter-in-law.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's beyond Sharon's imagination that her daughter-in-law is a doctor.
Peter watches his son who is still gazing at Mum's photo.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And now, our son is a father.
The grief on Peter's face lifts.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Sharon should be proud. So proud.
As the baby wants to be heard, Peter's son takes over the holding.
PETER: Let's take a photo together!
Peter snaps a family selfie with Sharon's photo visibly in the background.
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The best fathers don't inspire you to dream bigger. They simply ask: What do you like? And then they make space for it.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Dreaming truer ie the life that fits your hands is the work of a lifetime.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I don't need to reach higher. I need to reach deeper. Into myself. Into the people around me.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My father gave me life and love. That was enough.
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - 22:00
Peter uploads an image to a draft on his laptop. It shows a white swan curling in the grass near the edge of a lake, lifting its head as sunlight highlights its feathers.
PETER (V.O.): Sharon, you remember how we used to stand here. Swan lake can be quiet and still hold everything.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Sharon, you know now. You know everything. And I think you'd say it's enough.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Sharon, I can't bring you back - so I carry you differently.
The END
FADE OUT
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