Free Time
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- May 31, 2025
- 2 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - 06:45
PETER wakes up.
PETER (V.O.): I wake up at the usual time. No alarms needed.
Peter picks up his smartphone and heads to the toilet.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd) I like to start my day by browsing social media as it helps broaden my perspective.
Peter watches a video clip, depicting a Border Collie playing mahjong.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It isn't fake. It's real. The dog plays with her rich family members all the time.
Later, we hear recurrent clock alarms.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Retirement means no pressure. My wife can afford to ignore them. But not today.
Gently, Peter wakes his WIFE up.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's eight o'clock already. You've to be admitted to the Hospital.
Act 2
INT. HOSPITAL - 09:00
Admissions. NURSE#1 takes the details of Peter's wife. Peter carries a bag for her.
NURSE#1: You will be in for check ups and observation.
Ward. NURSE#2 introduces the facitilies to Peter's wife.
NURSE#2. You can order food and drinks via the computer...
WIFE: There're limited choices.
PETER: I know a good restaurant nearby. Let me buy you a nice takeaway lunch.
Later, we see Peter's wife enjoying the fried beef noodles.
WIFE: After the initial procedure, I've the urge to wash my hair. Please go home and bring my shampoo.
PETER: No problem. But I need to return to my chambers to pay rent and get some papers.
Later, Peter appears with the stuff his wife wants. Then, he opens the Duolingo app on his smart phone and begins to practise some Spanish.
PETER (V.O.): To maintain my daily streaks eat into my free time.
WIFE: About the family matter, you can't leave it to your sibling who doesn't quite know what he's doing, despite all his good intentions.
PETER: But I'm so...
WIFE: You don't have free time?
Peter is tongue-tied.
WIFE (Cont'd): It's a matter of will.
PETER (V.O.): My wife is right.
PETER: I'll have breakfast with him in a day or two then... Meanwhile, I haven't done my daily swim yet.
WIFE: Okay, you can leave now, but remember to join the estate's management meeting tonight.
Peter nods.
EXT. SILVERSTRAND BAY - 17:45
Red flag. Entrance blocked.
PETER (V.O.): Oh, the oil slicks still coats the water.
Retreating.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If I go swimming in a public swimming pool that opens at 7pm, I won't have time to have dinner.
EXT. CLEAR WATER BAY - 18:15
Red flag. No lifeguard service. Peter rushes into the waves.
PETER (V.O.): I don't want to miss my daily swim.
Swimming.
PETER (V.O.): If I'm drown, at least the swim is on my schedule.
INT. CLUBHOUSE - 20:00
Full house. Peter sits on the floor. STAFF begins presenting.
PETER (V.O.): This is my first time attending, although I taught housing managers decades ago.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The management is quite bureaucratic. Do I have the free time to intervene? I still have some Duolingo streaks to maintain.
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - 22:30
Peter inserts an image depicting a SMART car parked at Clear Water Bay into a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O): I'm what I repeatedly do. Excellence is a habit.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O) Cont'd): I've free time. Unfortunately, it's all between 01:30 and 06:45
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Actually, time isn't free after 70; it's on loan.
FADE OUT
END
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