Farewell Tastes
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Mar 12, 2024
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
PETER, his WIFE and their younger DAUGHTER are watching TV.
TV NARRATOR (V.O.): After four decades of operation, this old-style but iconic restaurant is set to bid farewell.
We see and hear a character speaking on TV"...due to lack of business..."
WIFE: I've been to Goteborg before! I like its old-style stuff. We should go and try it!
Their younger daughter is intrigued by her mother's enthusiasm.
PETER (V.O): I'm also interested to have a feel.
PETER: Okay, let's go and try it.
Act 2
EXT. ROADSIDE - 18:00
Far from Goteborg. Peter, his wife and younger daughter are queuing.
WIFE: I believe we've to wait for about an hour to be seated.
They stare at the dozens of CUSTOMERS ahead of them.
WIFE (Cont'd): Don't overlook the customers queuing behind us.
WIFE (to Peter): Don't complain that you've to queue up here...
FLASHBACK
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT (Feb 2024)
Peter shows his wife a photo of a snow-covered restaurant and grounds.
PETER: That was the Sapporo restaurant that our younger son and I queued outside for over an hour in sub-zero temperatures last Feb.
WIFE: I'm surprised that you'd tolerate that.
PETER: I gave our younger son company.
RETURN TO PRESENT
INT. GOTEBORG - 19:15
Warm and ambient lighting. They're seated in a booth, with vinyl upholstery in brown.
PETER (V.O): The booths were similar to those in the Cafe of Castle Peak Hotel.
MONTAGE OF PETER'S ACTIVITIES IN THE CAFE OF CASTLE PEAK HOTEL 1969
A. Day. Peter (15), dressed in a waiter's outfit, moves swiftly through it, serving GUESTS with a smile.
B. Night. After close of business, Peter does his homework at a booth table and sleeps in a booth chair, using a stool to support his feet.
END MONTAGE
Later, three steaks on sizzling iron plates are put on the table.
WIFE: We didn't choose the farewell dinner set as it's served on an ordinary plate.
PETER (V.O.): Farewell tastes may not be good especially if the plate is cold.
PETER: And the green jelly pudding we want to savour has been sold out.
WIFE: Oh, the portion is too big for me.
PETER (V.O): Yes, my wife has just done two hours of physical exercise to manage her weight.
Finishing, Peter discovers there're bottles of Ketup and Worcester Sauce hiding behind the menus on the side.
PETER: Oh dear! I should have used them...
WIFE: The steaks with either black pepper sauce or garlic sauce taste good. There's no need for them.
PETER: In the old days, they're standard table items for customers to add flavours.
Peter then observes the performance of the WAITERS.
PETER (V.O.): I worked hard and smart too.
INT. CASHIER'S STATION, CASTLE PEAK HOTEL - DAY (1969)
As Peter approaches swiftly with a bill and cash in a tray, we see MANAGER YIP watching nearby.
MANAGER YIP: Fai chai, you're always diligent! Let me tip you!
Manager Yip takes $20 out of his own pocket to tip Peter. Peter thanks him gracefully.
RETURN TO PRESENT
PETER (V.O.): The scene is still vivid in my mind, although the Castle Peak Hotel was demolished in 1974 and Manager Yip was already working in retirement then.
Sighing.
Act 3
INT. LIVING ROOM - 21:30
As Peter inserts an AI drawing entitled "Farewell Tastes..." to a text, we hear the background music of the song "忘不了" (Lost in Time).
PETER (V.O): My wife and I hold onto cherished moments and appreciate the impact they've on our lives.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Life is a series of transitions. It's essential for us to embrace change with grace and resilience.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): While having final tastes of steaks in Goteborg, my wife, our younger daughter and I are creating new memories that will be cherished in the future.
FADE OUT
THE END
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