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Old School

Writer's picture: Peter K F Cheung SBSPeter K F Cheung SBS

Updated: Aug 8, 2021

  1. FADE IN.


  2. Act 1


  3. INT. SITTING ROOM - MORNING


  4. PETER taps on the screen of one of his 3 mobiles near him.


  5. PETER (V.O.) : In the past 6 months, I've replaced 2 phones.


  6. Tapping on a red one.


  7. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): After changing the cover of my old iPhone 8 plus, the red phone now looks new to me.

  8. Recalling.


  9. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Shortly before my retirement, I noticed a very senior colleague was still using a non-smart phone.


  10. Recalling.


  11. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In terms of values, I'm also old school. But I like modern tools.


  12. Pausing.


  13. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I believe we all have to move with the times.


  14. Act 2


  15. INT. RESTAURANT - AFTERNOON


  16. Peter and his WIFE have just done their orders.


  17. PETER (V.O.): Today's special. My wife took her 2nd jab yesterday. I can see she's doing fine.


  18. Spaghetti and Risotto with Cuttlefish Sauce are being served.


  19. FLASHBACK


  20. INT. RESTAURANT, VENICE - DAY (2005)


  21. Peter's young FAMILY are having Spaghetti with Cuttlefish Sauce.

  22. FAMILY: Very delicious!


  23. When they look at each other's black-ink mouths, they burst into laughter.


  24. RETURN TO PRESENT


  25. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It was 16 years ago around this time my whole family joined a package tour to Europe.


  26. Recalling.


  27. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): We're entitled to three rooms. One was largely left vacant as the kids then wanted to join my wife and me. And we loved that.


  28. Pausing.


  29. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): We're quite like empty nesters now.


  30. Pausing.


  31. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My elder son comes home for dinner weekly. Our elder daughter is working in Tokyo. Our younger son has returned to Sydney for his clinical studies. And our younger daughter will return to UK in Sept.


  32. EXT. WET MARKET - AFTERNOON


  33. Peter and his wife get off from their parked car.


  34. PETER (V.O.): I want to help my wife carry her shopping.


  35. Crowded. They avoid bumping into other SHOPPERS.


  36. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Months ago, I pleaded my wife not to shop here. Now, the dilemma whether to take the jabs or not has gone.


  37. Later, they return to their car with bags and bags of shopping.


  38. INT. SUPERMARKET - LATER


  39. Seeing a poster, Peter draws his wife's attention.


  40. PETER: Peaches from Japan!


  41. Having asked a STAFF, they manage to buy the last box.

  42. PETER: One of our fruit desserts after dinner tonight.


  43. SEQUENCE OF PETER'S WEEKLY FAMILY DINNER


  44. A. The family of 4 are having a hot-pot meal.


  45. B. Afterwards, they've desserts, including peaches.


  46. C. Clicking icons on a laptop screen, the family reunites with other FAMILY MEMBERS on screen.


  47. D. Family members in the screen windows take turns to do their updates. They chat and chat.


  48. E. Although the FAMILY PET steals the limelight at times, Peter and his wife look particularly happy.


  49. RETURN TO PRESENT


  50. PETER (V.O.): I know my wife is old school too. We like our children to be around us.


  51. Pausing.


  52. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But one has to work; the other has to study. And there's the pandemic.


  53. Act 3


  54. INT. SITTING ROOM - NIGHT


  55. Sitting in a sofa watching TV, Peter is in thoughts.

  56. PETER (V.O.): What is consoling is that the vaccinations of my whole family will be completed in a week or so. With possibly not adverse side effects but vaccine protection, we feel good.


  57. Pausing.


  58. PETER (V.O.): I believe my children following the tradition will work and study hard. The old school has experiential wisdom.


  59. Pausing.


  60. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): While I move with the times, I miss my late Dad a lot.


  61. Peter takes a look of his 3 mobiles.


  62. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): One mobile carries the telephone number of him - one of my ways in remembering my Dad.


  63. Peter taps the screen of his light-blue mobile.


  64. FADE OUT.


  65. THE END




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