Fragments of a Childhood
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Jan 9
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 1
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. STUDY - 16:30
Cluttered, lived-in atmosphere, PETER lies on a sofa, his gaze distant.
FLASHBACK
EXT. FRUIT STORE, SHEUNG WAN - 12:50 (Today)
As Peter, in smart casual wear, stares at the fruit on display, a salesperson observes him.
SALESPERSON: Ah Baak, what do you want to buy?
Peter is taken aback, initially.
PETER (V.O): Despite my outfit, he can tell I'm old.
Peter points to cups of dragon fruit.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): There's no point to deny my age, I've to accept it.
Having paid, Peter walks towards Tung Wah Hospital.
Act 2
INT. TUNG WAH HOSPITAL - 13:15
Ward. Peter sees ALFRED sitting up in bed and his WIFE spoonfeeding him. They also see Peter appearing at the gowning area.
PETER: Hi there!
Having gowned, Peter goes to Alfred's bed. He and Alfred hold hands as Alfred's wife unpacks a cup of dragon fruit.
PETER (Cont'd): Yesterday afternoon, I went swimming in Silverstrand...Let me show you a photo...
We follow Alfred to see an image of Peter in a wetsuit carrying a cyber-green float at the beach.
PETER (Cont'd): I was the only swimmer. And I swam to the outer limit...
ALFRED: ...you...alone?
PETER: I believe a lifeguard was observing me in a beach tower...
ALFRED: You...very...brave...er...cold?
PETER: Yes, very cold.
ALFRED'S WIFE: How long did it take for you to swim to the outer limit and return to the shore?
PETER: About 30 minutes...I daren't stay long for fear of hypothermia.
As a PARTY is about to see Alfred, Peter exits.
EXT. STREETS OF SHEUNG WAN & SAI YING PUN - 13:45
Peter walks slowly, looking around.
PETER (V.O): Days ago, I visited the place where I was born over 70 years ago.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I believe it was the Tsan Yuk Hospital, not the current one, but the old one at the cross-section of Western Street and Third Street.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I lived in the Cheung family home at 3 Graham Street, 1/F.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I can't forget the address as all wanted me to remember it so that I might be led home if I was lost and found.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): As the first grandson of the big Cheung family, I was privileged. Dai Jie, our domestic helper, would prepare a special dish for me in every meal.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): But I stayed home most of the time, watching the world go by from the window.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Soon after we moved out the premises in 1960, the old building was demolished for development.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): The other day, I discovered that the Tung Wah Primary School on Hollywood Road, where I attended the first grade, has been demolished.
Peter walks near the Sai Ying Pun Jockey Club Clinic.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): This very site once served as the Government Civil Hospital. My Mom told me that once I had high fever, my Dad carried me on his back and ran here from Graham Street.
Sighing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): My Dad passed away in 2011 and I still struggle to accept that he's no longer here.
RETURN TO PRESENT
Act 3
INT. STUDY - 21:30
Peter inserts an AI drawing titled: "Fragments of a Childhood..." to a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O): My childhood memories exist in fragments, brief moments and fleeting encounters.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): While time transforms everything, I find a sense of belonging in revisiting the places of my childhood.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I'm assembling the fragments of my childhood together like a puzzle, revealing the formative experiences that have shaped the person I'm today.
FADE OUT
THE END
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