Just One Life
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Apr 17, 2023
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. SWIMMING POOL, CROWN PLAZA - 08:00 (YESTERDAY)
Alone, PETER is reading a notice: No lifeguard service.
PETER (V.O.): The swimming pool is only 1.2 m deep. I've got many life insurance policies.
Peter begins to swim.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I exercise routinely to preserve my physical and mental health.
Swimming.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Taking care of my body and feeling good about myself are conducive to my self-image and self-esteem.
Swimming.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): After brunch today, I guess my wife and I will go to a casino. The last time we came to Macao was in Spring 2019.
Swimming.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): We're willing to risk a limited amount of money in the hope of getting more in return.
Act 2
INT. GRAND LISBOA CASINO - 15:30 (YESTERDAY)
Crowded. Peter and his WIFE walk to the slot machine section. We see flashing light displays and loud arcade sounds.
PETER: Shall we try this unoccupied one?
WIFE: This one doesn't seem to have a big jackpot.
Then, they walk to another unoccupied slot machine and see a black screen with an "out-of-order" message.
PETER & WIFE: Oh... no wonder there's no one here.
Then, they talk to a STAFF nearby.
PETER & WIFE: Which slot machine can we play?
STAFF: All the working slot machines are being occupied.
Later, they see a MAN leaving a slot machine, reluctantly.
WIFE: He must have paid in a lot of money but experienced very low or no payout in the short term.
PETER: But the payout percentages are determined over the long term - millions of spins...
WIFE: You play first.
PETER: I don't know the significance of the symbols on the reels.
Having inserted a $100 note into a note slot, Peter and his wife begin to hit the "Play" button in turn. We see symbols on the three reels rotating. We hear some loud sounds when they stop. But nothing exciting on the payline.
PETER (Cont'd): We're doing no better than the man before us.
Very soon, Peter inserts a $500 note into the slot.
PETER: That's my budget.
As Peter and his wife continue to play, we see the credits on the slot machine depleting fast. Suddenly, more flashing lights and more loud sounds.
WIFE: You've got 8 free plays!
PETER: I don't know what I've done to get that!
They then focus on the payline.
WIFE: In total, you've won about $300.
PETER: We'd better stop playing. If not, we'd lose soon.
Pressing the "Collect" button, Peter gets a "Cash" receipt.
WIFE: But playing is the fun part.
Peter's wife inserts a $500 note into the tray and begins to play.
It looks as though the slot machine is hungry for credits. As they look downbeat, flashing flights and loud sounds cheer them up.
PETER: The payout isn't bad.
WIFE: Not as good as yours. In total, I've won $30.
Pressing the "Collect" button, Peter's wife gets a "Cash" receipt.
WIFE (Cont'd): I've never played the roulette machine.
Later, Peter's wife manages to a seat before a roulette machine. Peter stands behind her.
PETER (V.O): I've no idea what number my wife is betting on.
Peter looks preoccupied.
PETER (Cont'd): In fact, I'm quite moody. I learned yesterday night that a cousin in her early 60s had died.
Act 3
INT. PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL - 20:00
Peter is swimming past a lifeguard tower.
PETER (V.O.): I'm a manifestation of the life force at this instant. Having just one life, I wish I can optimize it to create and deliver more value.
Thinking.
i
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): On physical risk, I try to manage it so that I won't regret dying, wondering why I haven' t managed it.
Smiling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): On financial risk, my wife and I know that if we win, we'll be merrier and if we lose, we'd be wiser.
FADE OUT
THE END
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