Function, not Fun
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. LIVING ROOM - 09:15
Morning light filters in. PETER stands by a table, hands pressed into his lower back.
PETER (V.O.): The strain in my back hasn't gone away yet.
He twists gently, a wince tightening his face.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Swimming is one of my daily routines, but I'm not sure if it'll alleviate or exacerbate my back pain.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My plan was to swim every other day until my lower back pain is resolved.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Swam yesterday. Rest today.
Peter nods, decision made.
Act 2
INT. LIFT LOBBY - 12:30
Peter waits for the lift. A door opens and a NEIGHOUR steps out.
PETER: Hi!
NEIGHBOUR: Going to swim?
Peter hesitates.
PETER (V.O.): I told her husband I swim every day.
PETER: Not today. I've back pain and won't be swimming today...Are you going to lunch?
NEIGHBOUR: No, I practise yoga and attend yoya classes.
PETER: You must be flexible; and doing splits is easy for you...
NEIGHBOUR: No, extending legs straight out in opposite directions forming a straight line is really hard.
Pausing.
NEIHBOUR (Cont'd): I'm not young and wouldn't try that.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I tell you. I only do it for health reasons. No fun, just maintenance.
Peter looks at her, a spark of deep recognition in his eyes.
MONTAGE OF PETER'S ACTIVIITIES LATER
A. Restaurant. Peter buys a plate of fried noodles with sliced pork and green vegetables to take away.
B. Roads. Peter drives his WIFE to a hospital for a medical appointment.
C. Bedroom. Peter cleans his audio-visual equipment, plays a CD, then a VCD, and then a DVD.
D. Living room. Peter plays some bass notes with his Hofner electric bass guitar.
END MONTAGE
INT. LIVING ROOM - 17:00
Sitting at piano, Peter finishes playing the Jazz song: Satin Doll.
PETER (V.O.): The chords of the song are relatively easy to learn because the harmony is extremely functional.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Fun is the spark. Function is the engine. No one can travel far on sparks alone.
Peter uses his hand to touch his low back.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The dull ache in my low back is still there, but it's just.. information.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Function. Maintenance. Listen to the machine...But the machine wants to move.
He looks out of the window at the sunset sky and then picks up his swim bag.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): There's dignity in doing the necessary thing, day after day, for no reason other than it's necessary.
MONTAGE OF PETER SWIMMING AT KOWLOON PARK SWIMMING POOL LATER
A. Peter competes a length. A hurried young SWIMMER#1 nearby inadvertently kicks Peter's right leg solidly.
B. A few minutes later. Another hurried young SWIMMER#2 hits hard against the left lens of Peter's goggles.
C. Clutching the lane rope, Peter looks around at the crowded, churning water - a chaos of limbs and splashing.
END MONTAGE
Act 3
INT. LIVING ROOM - 22:00
Peter uploads a photo showing the Kowloon Park entrance, illuminated at night to a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O.): Society shouts for us to seek joy, but survival whispers a different truth. In the end, I choose the whisper. I choose function, not fun.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I trade "for the thrill of it" for "for the sake of it". And I find a deeper, quieter purpose.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I swim not to feel alive, but to remain among the living.
The END
FADE OUT
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