Left Behind, Found Again
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Jul 15, 2025
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. LlVING ROOM - 08:15
PETER sits on a sofa, focusing on his mobile. The Duolingo app is open on the screen.
PETER (V.O.): My current streak on French is 438 days.
Peter practises French.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I won't break my streaks, even although I want to go swimming in Silverstrand and need to be at my NT home to wait for the collection of an old refrigerator there.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Last time when I asked for free e-waste collection service from 2pm-7pm, the collection team came at around noon.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I didn't mind. Once I make a decision, I prefer to take action right away.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I believe I've left behind the second SMART key at my NT home, I've a strong urge to check it out as soon as possible.
Act 2
INT. PETER'S NT HOME - 12:30
Penthouse. Peter stands in front of an old refrigerator, arms crossed.
PETER (V.O.): It's time for you to go. Okay, let me make sure the path is clear.
Peter checks the corners of the staircases.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've already removed my guitars.
Peter moves toward the sitting room on the G/F.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Hmm, the single-seater revolvable sofa near the staircase is slightly in the way.
Peter maneuvers the sofa to the center, competing for space with one of the two coffee tables.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Just to make the collection easier. After that, I'll put the 30 year-old sofa back in place.
Peter goes to open the front gate.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Meanwhile, I'll address the clutter in the music room on 1/F.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've scheduled Tom Lee to tune the piano next week, just before my wife and I embark on our long summer vacation.
Music room 1/F. As Peter starts decluttering from a corner, he notices a blue travel bag covered in dust.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): What could be inside?
Unlocking the bag, Peter retreives a guitar-shaped chopping board along with a set of spoons.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, I actually bought them in Paris in 2005, not just window-shopping.
Peter gazes at his guitar-shaped souvenirs.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I spent years looking for what I'd already brought home.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Decluttering is just archaeology for the impatient.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I only find what I've stopped needing.
Peter gazes at the clutter.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Now, where's that second SMART key?
It seems like Peter is looking for a needle in a haystack.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I kept the wrong things and lost the right ones - but the joke's on me: I forgot which was which.
Later, the e-waste collection TEAM leaves with the old refrigerator. Peter sits on the revolvable sofa, spins around, and surveys the room.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Why don't I place the sofa in the center and move the coffee table to the corner?
Nodding, Peter takes action.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Thirty years too late is still right on time!
Pondering.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The SMART's key is never lost, it's just waiting for me to stop looking.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Perhaps, having two homes is the issue.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Maybe it's just...too much stuff in the wrong places.
Act 3
INT. LIVING ROOM - 22:15
Peter uploads an image depicting his rocking cutting board along with a set of spoons to a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O.): Homes aren't where I keep my things. It's where things keep me.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): What I leave behind isn't always for others. Sometimes it's just for me to trip over later.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Legacies aren't built - they're stumbled upon, like old receipts in winter coats - left behind, found again.
FADE OUT
END
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