Change My Mindset
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- May 14, 2021
- 2 min read
FADE IN.
Act 1
EXT. HIGHWAY - MORNIING
Grey sky. Peter's driving an 8-seater towards NT alone.
PETER (V.O.): I've been longing for today to go back to my NT home. But I didn't sleep well last night.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Should I go swimming at all? What if the sea is rough?
EXT. GOLD COAST CAR PARK - LATER
Having parked his car, Peter goes to the beach.
EXT. BAY WATER - LATER
Peter swims breaststrokes towards the outer swimming boundary and then swims freestyle back to the beach.
PETER (V.O.): I've made it.
Soon, it begins to rain heavily.
Act 2
INT. LAKESIDE RESTAURANT - LATER
Sitting at a corner, Peter does his order with a CAPTAIN (20s).
CAPTAIN: So you've swum before coming here? It was cats and dogs!
PETER : Oh, I was lucky, Captain. I'm enjoying life, right now.
Peter smiles.
INT. PETER'S NT HOME - NOON
Messy sitting room. Listening to oldies, Peter checks an incoming phone message.
PETER (V.O.): Oh, a young and bright HKUST Council Member is wishing me Happy Birthday - a day in advance.
Peter types on his phone: Your wishes have made me happy. I'll stay reasonably healthy by swimming daily.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That's why I maintain my discipline even though I'm quite tired.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I had some high-level intellectual exchanges yesterday and my anxiety didn't go away last night.
Looking at some peeled-off wallpapers.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I really have to slow down. I'll leave the renovation work to another day.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Last Saturday, my elder son and his girlfriend also celebrated my "birthday" in advance.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It was a surprise. I did say bluntly that I had strong view regarding celebrating fake "birthdays".
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Birthday was one's day of birth, which was long gone.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My elder son did remark that my mindset would dampen others' joyful mood.
Nodding.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I know of no one who shares my view. And I've written my Happy Birthday song to celebrate others' birthdays.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Tomorrow, I'll turn 67.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I take it as a privilege that I can grow old.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Should I now accept "birthday" celebrations as I've lived another year?
Clearing up a little the messy stuff near him, Peter picks up a string of beads.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, it was a thoughtful birthday gift from my children many years ago.
After taking a photo of it, Peter puts it carefully inside his hand bag.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Other than this little treasure, I'm actually clearing up the unwanted stuff while I still can, minimizing future troubles.
Act 3
EXT. HIGHWAY - EVENING
Blue sky. Peter drives back to the urban area.
PETER (V.O.): Today, I've checked the conditioners. Apart from one unit on the 1/F, all the other ones are in working order.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Once I've cleared up the files dotting the staircases, I'll arrange to dispose of the many malfunctioning TV sets.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): From 2000 to 2009, I used to drive my family in this car to and from my NT home.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My children have grown up and I've grown old.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If I can't change the circumstances, I've to change my mindset.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I should begin celebrating my "birthdays"!
FADE OUT.
THE END
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