Double Yang/Ninth Festival
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Oct 15, 2021
- 3 min read
FADE IN.
Act 1
EXT. ROADS - 10:00
Roadside. Waiting in his 8-seater car, PETER looks at the sky
PETER (V.O.): I believe there's a window of opportunity for us to practise our traditional cultural expression.
Peter's SON gets inside the car.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Like me., he's always punctual. We respect our commitments.
Peter and his son chat on the way. Later, Peter parks the car near an estate and his MOM and BROTHERS#1 & 2 get in.
BROTHER#1: I forgot to bring umbrellas.
BROTHER#2: I've got one.
PETER: I've got two...It's great that we don't need them now.
Peter drives towards the Nipple Mountain.
Act 2
EXT. NIPPLE MOUNTAIN - 11:30
Base. Beating the bush along their way, they climb uphill.
BROTHER#2: Let me help Mom.
PETER: I support at the back.
Later, they arrive at their ancestors' tombs largely covered by shrubs.
BROTHER#1: It isn't that bad this year. But if we didn't come, the situation can become very bad.
PETER: Yes, it's good that we come here twice a year, hoping that the weather is always on the side of the dutiful ones.
Later, BROTHER#3, his WIFE and their SON arrive with shrub-cutting tools. Soon the whole family is in action.
PETER (V.O.): This has been the Cheung family's tradition since 1962 - the year when my Grand Dad died.
As graveyards have been cleared, Peter goes to clear the undergrowth of a path.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I want to ensure that there's no problem on our way down.
Having satisfied with his work, Peter takes a photo. Having had some refreshments, they leave. Peter takes the lead downhill.
BROTHER#3: Let me take care of Mom.
PETER (V.O.): My younger brothers are anxious to help. My Mom is 90 and I'm 67.
Soon, they return to the car.
SON: Dad, please turn on the air-conditioning.
Peter does that right away.
PETER (V.O.): The sun has been warming it. And we all have forgotten about possible rain!
Before his family leave in another car, Brother#3 passes Peter an envelope with money inside.
Brother#3: That was the money you paid for me for buying a flower bouquet for your wife's Mom earlier.
PETER: Oh yes.
PETER (V.O.): Another Chinese tradition is that such money must be settled by the principal and shouldn't be waived.
Driving, Peter chats with those on board.
PETER: Not too long ago, my wife and I met a Korean couple via Skype. They're the parents of our elder daughter's boyfriend.
Pausing.
PETER (Cont'd): Days later his father died because of terminal cancer.
Pausing.
PETER (Cont'd): When travel restrictions ease, my wife and I will pay a visit to his tomb.
Arriving at a road junction, Peter prepares to make a turn.
SON: The signal is red!
Stopping the car, Peter checks the green light of the pedestrian crossing.
PETER (V.O.): OMG!
A light rail train soon crosses the junction speedily.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Fortunately, my son takes care of me. We've yet to pay respect to my late Dad and his Grandpa in another cemetery!
EXT. MALL - 19:30 - 20:30
Roadside. Peter waits at the end of a car queue.
PETER (V.O.): The car park's full? Few customers are leaving?
Later, Peter's is switches off the car engine and the lights
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I take this as a re-training of my patience.
Act 3
INT. ROADS - 22:00
Roadside. As his WIFE and KAJI, their pet, get off the car, Peter goes to the rear to offload a dog carrier cart.
PETER (V.O.): It's a good day to have a good day for me and my family.
Looking up, Peter sees the moon-lit sky.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Whereas Yang may symbolize light, activity and heaven, Ninth may symbolize the cumulation of wisdom, endings and beginnings...
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've had a happy Double Yang/Ninth Festival.
FADE OUT
THE END
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