Cut & Programmed
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Aug 31
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 3
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. LIVING ROOM - 18:30
Quiet. PETER sits on a sofa, gazing at two new sets of car keys with remotes in his hands.
PETER (V.O.): I no longer have to worry about losing the last set of car key and remote for my 1989 Nissan 200SX anymore.
He closes his fingers around them, a slow, satisfied smile gracing his face.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm cut by my past, and programmed by the people and passions I choose to embrace.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Somethings aren't meant to be replaced, only faithfully replicated - key, remote and soul.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): To hold a new key for an old lock is to hold a promise that the past still has a future.
Act 2
FLASHBACK
INT. ESTATE LOCKSMITH - 17:30 (Yesterday)
Peter hands the remaining car key and remote to the WOMAN at the counter.
WOMAN: We don't cut car keys.
PETER (V.O.): Oh yes, car keys are special, I'll need to go to a car locksmith...I still hope that I can finid my lost car key and remote
INT. BASEMENT CAR PARK - 21:30
Peering into the coupe's interior, Peter and his WIFE check under the seats and between the cushions Outside, they scan the ground, moving aside debris.
WIFE: Your previous searches were thorough.
Then, they retrace Peter's steps from the carpark to the mall restaurants and then back home.
PETER: I've to face the fact that the car key and remote are lost.
PETER (V.O.): If I lose the remaining set...
INT. BEDROOM - 07:45
While scrolling through his Facebook feed, Peter comes across a car locksmith's advert.
PETER (V.O.): 30 years of experience? The locksmith should be able to cut outdated metal keys.
Peter uses his phone to take a photo of his one remaining key and remote. He texts the image to the number on the website.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I can only hope the locksmith responds positively.
Later, he gets a reply with an image of a key blank, its shape similar to his own. Peter lets out a breath.
INT/EXT. LOCKSMITH, KOWLOON CITY - 16:45
Peter parks his Nissan 200 SX in front of the nice shop and shows his car key and remote to a MAN.
PETER: I texted this morning...
Later, we see the man at his workstation, the sound of the key blank being cut and polished filling the air.
PETER (V.O.): Great...
However, when the man tests the new key in the coupe's ignition, it fails to turn. After comparing Peter's original key with the new one, the man continues to cut and polish the new key for a better fit.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I really hope it works this time.
But the problem doesn't go away. Peter's face falls. The man steps away to make a phone call.
MAN: A master locksmith nearby has your key blank...I'm taking you there now.
INT/EXT. MASTER LOCKSMITH - CONTINUOUS
A small, unassuming unit. Holding a newly cut key, the MASTER polishes it professionally on a small wheel three times.
PETER (V.O.): Life will reject the first cut. The wisdom is in knowing when to find a master with a the right key blank.
The Master hands the replicated key to Peter for him to try. Peter slides it into the ignition and turns with a satisfying familiar sound. Peter looks relieved.
PETER: Replicate a more key please.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The right cut requires more than a machine; it requires the memory of a thousand keys that came before.
INT/EXT. LOCKSMITH, KOWLOON CITY - LATER
The man and Peter test two new remotes. Then, Peter pays happily at the counter.
PETER (V.O.): I don't get what I want in one attempt. This experience of replicating the car key and remote is shaped by persistence, refined through frustration and ultimately guided by hope.
Pondering.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Am I lucky as well?
RETURN TO PRESENT
Act 3
INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Peter uploads an image of two sets of car keys and remotes to a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O.): We aren't programmed by our setbacks, but by the resilience we code into our response.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The world seldom offers me a perfect fit on the first attempt. I must be willing to be cut and programmed anew.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I wasn't just getting car keys cut, I was having a new path programmed for my memories to drive on.
FADE OUT
END
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