How Would I Know?
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Dec 10, 2020
- 3 min read
FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. STUDY - AFTERNOON
PETER looks restless.
PETER (V.O.): I believe I've already done all my professional tasks today.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Although there's a possibility that something might crop up, should I wait to handle the possible contingencies?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My plan is to return to my NT home this afternoon. I mean to drive my Eunos 30X there and take my Nissan S13 back to town.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've reckoned recently that the problems of my cars are all because I seldom drive them.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I know I won't be happy if I delay my activities for no particular reason.
Picking up car keys, Peter exits.
Act 2
EXT. ROADS - HIGHWAYS - LATER
Windows lowered and sunroof opened, Peter is driving his 25-year old silver Eunos 30X in estate roads. He sees a passer-by turning her head to look at his car.
PETER (V.O.): When the car was new, a female colleague remarked that the shape of my coupe looked like a bullet.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): It was a great complement. If she didn't tell me, I would never know.
Wondering.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Could that passer-by be thinking something similar?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): How would I know?
Peter turns into a main road, then onto highways. He sees some cars being stopped and booked by traffic Police.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I drive discreetly and very carefully these days. In the past months, I've prosecuted hundreds of traffic-related summons.
Arriving his NT home, Peter parks his 30X outside it.
EXT. CAR PARK - LATE AFTERNOON
Directing a remote-control key at a dust-covered red S13, Peter finds there's no response.
PETER (V.O.): The battery can't store electricity for a fortnight. I anticipate that and have a car jump starter with me.
Having popped up the hood, Peter connects his jump starter cables with the battery terminals. We see the starter flashes a small green light.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I can revive my S13 in seconds.
Getting back inside his S13, Peter starts the car without any problem.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's good to go. Let me check a few things at home first.
INT. NT HOME - NIGHT
As he's checking things on the G/F, Peter sees a red S13 model.
PETER (V.O.): Yes, I bought it in Wanchai's Toy Street over 10 years ago. I didn't know how long I could keep my S13.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Keeping my S13 has been expensive. Years ago, it was hard to find a willing insurer.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): S13 then seemed to be a liability for car insurers.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Having found one, I was charged handsomely for the insurance policy.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In fact, I've never made any insurance claim.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And then, when the car was 25-year old, its clutch worn out. It took months for the repairer to locate a spare part all over the world.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Quite a moving vintage item now.
Act 3
INT. CAR PARK - NIGHT
Having parked his S13 in a parking lot, a MAN (30s) walking past speaks to Peter.
MAN: You've kept your S13 so well. It's still so beautiful. I can see the wheels and everything are original.
Peter (Smiling wild): Yes, it was born in 1989. I bought it 31 years ago!
MAN: You've kept it for over 30 years?
Peter nods.
MAN (Cont'd): I've noticed that you used to park it in another parking lot...You've quite a number of cars!
PETER: Thank you very much for your appreciation!
They part.
EXT. ESTATE ROAD - LATER
Peter runs towards a park.
PETER (V.O.): I don't know someone has been keeping track of my darlings. If I didn't make the trip to change my cars and he didn't bumped into me, I would never know!
Smiling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): It's really good to know what I don't know.
INT. STUDY - NIGHT
PETER (V.O.): Today's fortuitous encounters have made me my day. I made the right decision to make a move.
Peter is ecstatic.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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