Choices Across Time
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Sep 16, 2024
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. LIVING ROOM - 09:00
Sitting on a sofa with a mobile in hand, PETER is having a phone conversation with his elder son.
PETER (to phone): I note the particulars of the potential tenant...
SON (from phone): He's eager to sign the lease right away...
PETER (to phone): I read from your earlier message the reason why his last landlord wanted him to quit.
SON (from phone): It seems that his income is pretty stable.
PETER: So, you take the risk that he's a good-fit tenant...
PETER (V.O.): As I've given the flat to my elder son, I just want to facilitate so that he can capitalize on the rent.
PETER (to phone): If there's anything I can help about executing the lease, just let me know.
SONG (from phone): I'd be very busy today. Let me come back to you in the late afternoon.
Act 2
EXT. SILVERSTRAND BAY - 13:45
Cloudy. Walking along the beach, Peter sees a red flag being hoisted.
PETER (V.O): What hazard? Thunderstorm or jellyfish?
Peter then sees the waves crashing onto shore.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I note the warning to stay out of water, but I'd swim, assuming the risk.
Peter enters the bay water and swims.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I believe swimming in the sea would add years to my life.
Swimming.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Perhaps, I won't swim to the outer limit of the swimming area today.
Later, we see Peter climbing up the ladder of a rocking-and-rolling floating platform.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): If I had to choose between drowning in the bay and dying in a hospital bed, I'd pick the former.
INT. STUDY - 15:45
Cluttered. Peter presses the "On" button of an old Sony Vaio laptop.
PETER (V.O): I bought it days after I ceased active service with the Govt. For years, it was a good fit for me.
Seeing no response, Peter presses the "Assist" button. Then, only date and time appear on a black screen.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Is that all?
Later, a dialogue box pops up: Enter Pin.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Yesterday, I confirmed the keyboard had malfunctioned, but I managed to use the touch pad to enter the pin.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): If I couldn't access to the System Setting, my new Bluetooth keyboard couldn't be connected with it.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): And then I was asked to update the basic software...and later got and a different look and feel...
Clicking icons.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): But now, the laptop is slower than before...
Having waited for a while, Peter gets to the "App" page.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): OMG, I've upgraded the Apps that I don't need but not the laptop's operating system!
Clicking "Uninstall" repeatedly.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): It doesn't even have to capacity to uninstall Apps!
Peter leans back, defeated.
INT. DINING ROOM - 19:45
Mobile ringing. Earnestly, Peter picks up a call.
PETER (to phone): Son, you need my help about the lease?
SON (from phone): Not yet, the agent has found a better potential tenant...
PETER (to phone): Let's wait and see then.
SON (from phone): Speaking about choices, I need your advice about my career development...
PETER (to phone): Follow your passion, even if it's risky. But don't ignore the practical side.
PETER (V.O): In my days, my Dad and my Father-in-law advised me that security of tenure was paramount.
Act 3
INT. LIVING ROOM - 22:00
Peter inserts an AI drawing entitled "Choices Across Time..." to a draft in his laptop.
PETER (V.O): As values of different generations differ, personal decisions on choices evolve over time.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Choices across time may range from selecting a tenant and swimming in rough water to fixing an old laptop and developing a career.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): All have to face important decisions in life. The ability to adapt to changing circumstances is essential for success.
FADE OUT
THE END
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