Dr Miracle
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- May 1, 2023
- 2 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. SITTING ROOM - 09:50
PETER and his WIFE are dressed in black.
PETER (V.O.): Today is an important day. We're going to attend a funeral service.
Peter checks a white envelope inside his carrier bag.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): For our Cheung generation who were born and raised in Hong Kong, my cousin, at age 62, is the first one to leave this world.
Sighing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): She's Miu-chee, a devoted Christian, who preached in US one or two years back.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Her followers call her Dr Cheung Miu-chee or Dr Miracle.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): To allow the unexpected to happen may not always be good.
Act 2
EXT. ROADS TO TUEN MUN - 10:30
Entering a train car, Peter's wife sees an empty seat and gestures Peter to take it.
PETER (V.O.): I've already adapted to the practice.
Sitting with other PASSENGERS, Peter is in thoughts.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Earlier today, I read an article suggesting that the world is nothing but vanity.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): "Vanity" generally refers to the idea that things in this world are ultimately meaningless or fleeting,
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Some argue that true life fulfillment can only be found in the spiritual or moral values.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Is the pursuit of material possessions, power and glory ultimately unsatisfying?
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Psychologically, such a pursuit should satisfy human needs. All do that to a certain extent.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): For those who are very successful, would they get diminished returns and therefore less-satisfying experience?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I don't know, as I don't belong to that category.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I just keep myself prepared for possible opportunities.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm wise enough to understand that very few capable persons can be at the right times and places.
INT. FUNERAL PARLOUR - 12:00
After singing and other rituals, RELATIVES and FRIENDS pay respect to the deceased.
PETER (V.O.): I'm surprised my aunt would come.
Staring at her AUNT.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): She gave birth to her daughter in 1960.
Staring.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Since my uncle's death, she's been living alone. She's very strong, emotionally.
INT. RESTAURANT - 14:00
In one table sits Peter's SIBLIINGS and their IN-LAWS.
PETER (V.O.): Even the youngest one has lots of white hair.
SISTER (to all): We all should live in the moment!
SISTER (Cont'd): Think about which nice restaurant to go!
BROTHER-IN-LAW: And travel more!
ALL: Yeah!
PETER (V.O.): What we've witnessed today make us realize deeply that the present moment is all we ever have.
Act 3
INT. SITTING ROOM - 20:30
Peter and his wife are watching a memorial video clip of Dr Miracle on screen.
PETER (V.O.): Biologically and socially, the purpose of life is to sustain the life force. Apart from procreation, humans can be creative. Recreation is facilitative only.
We see images speaking in turn on screen.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Humans bring meaning to life in relationships, intellectual pursuits and other-regarding services.
Peter takes a look of a memorial bulletin of Dr Miracle near him.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): As everyone is dissimilar to anyone existed since the beginning of this world, all of us are miracles.
FADE OUT
THE END
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