Faded Paths

FADE IN

2. Act 1 

4. MONTAGE OF PETER'S ACTIVITIES

6. A. Morning. PETER goes swimming in a public swimming pool.

8. B. Noon. Peter goes to the Tung Wah Hospital to visit ALFRED.

10. END MONTAGE

12. INT. BEDROOM - 14:30

14. Sitting up, Peter is learning Spanish via the Duolingo app.

16. PETER (V.O): Earlier, I've also declined a work assignment; but I've accepted to be a pallbearer of SAM.

18. Peter is practising some French.

20. PETER (V.O): I try to complete my streaks. I've promised my wife to travel to Tai Tong to see red leaves this afternoon.

22. Peter's WIFE appears.

24. WIFE: Let's go.

26. Act 2  

28. EXT. TAI TONG ROAD - 16:00

30. Peter's wife is driving. Peter holds Kaji, the family pet, at the passenger seat, observing the buildings along the road.

32. PETER (V.O.): Back in 1976, I was Govt's area officer here, responsible for controlling squatters.

34. Recalling.

36. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): On one assignment, I had to inspect if a structure was still being used as a chicken shed. If there's a change of user, say from agricultural to residential, it'd be demolished.

38. Recalling.

40. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I arrived at the site, I was shocked to see a new 3-storeyed concrete building...but it did raise a few chickens on every floor...

42. Observing.

44. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Apart from the village archways, I can't recognize the area now.

46. EXT. TAI TONG COUNTRY PARK - 16:30

48. As Peter and his wife walk Kaji, a cyclist passes by.

50. PETER (V.O.): I remember my first bike tour here.

52. FLASHBACK

54. EXT. TAI TONG COUNTRY PARK - DAY (1968)

56. Peter (14) rides a bicycle, carrying HELEN (15); VITUS (15) rides another, carrying TERESA (14). The joy of youth evident on their faces.

58. PETER (V.O): We're in Form 3. In class, Helen sat behind me, and Teresa behind Vitus.

60. Recalling.

62. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Around X'mas time that year, Teresa sat next to me. She'd chat with me even when the teacher was teaching...

64. Recalling.

66. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): After graduating from Shung Tak College, I saw Helen once in the mid 1970s - just to see her off at the Kai Tak Airport for Canada for good.

68. Then, they walk past an Eco Park.

70. PETER: We were here once, joining our younger daughter's school picnic.

72. Recalling.

74. PETER (Cont'd): That's around 2006...and she was rewarded with a goldfish in a game.

76. MONTAGE ABOUT THE GOLDFISH

78. A. Home. The whole FAMILY enjoys the goldfish, swimming with style in a tank.

80. B. 1-2 years later. They celebrate its milestones, giving it a good life.

82. C. Promenade. The family gathers solemnly to moan the death of the goldfish.

84. END MONTAGE

86. They look at the trees and their leaves.

88. PETER (V.O.): Their colours are far from the vibrant reds we've hoped for.

90. WIFE: I thought it'd be more...spectacular.

92. Then, they see a road sign: To Tai Lam.

94. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In 1972, I joined my matriculation classmates and walked from Tai Lam to Tai Tong.

96. Sighing.

98. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But Ah Chung passed away in 2002, Ah Sheh in 2014, Debbie in 2020, and Ah Shui in 2022.

100. Act 3

102. INT. BEDROOM - 22:00

104. Peter inserts an AI drawing titled: "Faded Paths...." to a draft on his laptop.

106. PETER (V.O): What was vibrant can lose its luster. We've our personal journeys.

108. Thinking.

110. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Time changes both landscapes and relationships. The places I knew and my life have transformed over the years.

112.  Reflecting.

114.  PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Memories are a legacy I carry with me, influencing my perspectives and relationships throughout my life.

116. FADE OUT

118. THE END