From Tokyo With Love
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Sep 17, 2021
- 2 min read
FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. STUDY - 19:15
Opening a red bag with words "From Tokyo With Love" on it, PETER takes out a pair of Japanese geta clogs.
PETER (V.O.): Once I saw and touched them, I couldn't resist my impulse to buy them.
Wearing them, Peter walks a few steps.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): How nice it is...
FLASHBACK
INT. JAPANESE STORE, ADMIRALTY - 17:00
Peter appears.
PETER (V.O.): I haven't been to Shibuya since Jan 2020. It's good to have a taste of its merchandise here in Hong Kong.
Having put some homeware items in the shopping basket, Peter has his eyes on the Japanese wooden shoes in a rack.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've never bought such Japanese geta clogs home. I don't think I'd wear them.
Act 2
FLASHBACK UPON FLASHBACK
INT. CHEUNG'S FAMILY HOME, CENTRAL - DAY (1958)
Sitting room. Peter (4) stares at the wooden shoes on the floor.
PETER (V.O.): Their shapes and features look like miniature ferries to me.
Peter begins pushing them like toys.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I imagine I'm a ferry captain, navigating different ferries across the harbour.
EXT. WET MARKET. CENTRAL - DAY (1958)
A role of butcher stores. Peter stares at the wooden shoes with elevated bases that BUTCHERS wear.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Their wooden shoes are the same as ours. But we don't chop anything.
EXT. CLOGS-MAKING WORKSHOP, AMSTERDAM - (2014)
A SHOPMAKER is polishing a wooden sandal in front of TOURISTS including Peter (60) and his younger SON.
SHOEMAKER: Dutch clogs keep the feet cool during warmer months and warm during colder months.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.): The pointy noses of these Dutch clogs look feminine and they don't appeal to me.
END FLASHBACK UPON FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The Dutch fishermen used the pointed noses of the Dutch clogs to pull up fish nets.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In July-August1987, I was living in The Hague. I didn't see anyone wearing clogs.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But when I visited Japan during Sakura blossoms, I saw women wearing traditional Japanese dresses and geta clogs,
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And now, my elder daughter is living and working in Tokyo.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): As I couldn't visit her anytime soon, I feel good to have anything from Japan meanwhile.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Yes, I'll buy a pair of Japanese geta clogs.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If I won't wear them, I'd treat them as a work of artistic craftsmanship.
As he pays at the cashier, Peter notices that the red bags containing his purchases bearing the words "From Tokyo With Love".
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I love the slogan.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): For my last trips before the pandemic, ie Dec, 2019, Jan 2020 and Feb 2020, I visited Tokyo.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Is "From Tokyo With Love" some kind of magical communication to me as a father?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My elder daughter's birthday is coming up.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): May be she likes to wear the geta clogs when she's home.
RETURN TO PRESENT
Act 3
INT. STUDY - CONTINUOUS
Peter is appreciating the geta clogs.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I believe my mind guides me as to what I should see.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): These geta clogs appeal not merely to my eyes, they also appeal to my heart.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.): It's quite deep actually.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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