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Writer's picturePeter K F Cheung SBS

May 15

Updated: May 17, 2021

  1. FADE IN.


  2. Act 1


  3. INT. BEDROOM - 0:00 - 1:00

  4. In bed, Peter's listening to radio. We hear: ...the final hour of the final show...


  5. PETER (V.O.): It's Uncle Ray's last show, ending at 1.00am on May 15, 2021


  6. Pausing.


  7. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It was 7 years ago today I turned 60 and ceased active civil service.


  8. We hear guests chatting with Uncle Ray.


  9. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Once in a while, I would dial in and make a request.


  10. We hear Uncle Ray reporting the weather before the time check.


  11. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I rang 2338 8266 soon after his final show began. I was excited that my line was connected - 4 times - but no one picked up my calls. And then the line became busy.


  12. Pausing.


  13. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've tried.


  14. INT. SITTING ROOM - MORNING


  15. Peter types on his phone.


  16. PETER (V.O.): Since Summer 2019, I've become pretty active in Quora. My answers have so far attracted over 6.9 million views.


  17. Peter continues to type.


  18. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): This is one of my ways to capture and deliver value to all.


  19. Peter checks other incoming phone messages.


  20. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, friends have sent me Happy Birthday wishes. Their wishes make me happy.


  21. Pausing


  22. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): As to how to stay healthy, I swim each day to make myself a priority.


  23. Pausing.


  24. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But I won't go to the beach today. I'd just swim in the estate swimming pool, saving the inconvenience and the travelling time.


  25. EXT. SWIMMING POOL - AFTERNOON


  26. Rather crowded. Peter is swimming.


  27. PETER (V.O.): This pool reopened on May 1. Before that, I swam in a nearby public swimming pool. It reopened after April Fools day.


  28. Pausing.


  29. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Sometimes, there're long queues and bumping into one another wasn't unexpected.


  30. Pausing.


  31. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But it was still better than not having the swimming facilities.


  32. Recalling.


  33. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I jogged for months before that and got knee pain.


  34. Peter does backstrokes.


  35. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Before the pandemic, I travelled at least once a month. I'm glad that I've made over 70 trips in a row.


  36. Peter does a few butterfly strokes.


  37. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Then I treated my study as a 1st class plane cabin. And for the past couple of months, I've taken my staycations in my NT home.


  38. Peter leaves.


  39. INT. STUDY - LATER


  40. Peter is watching a French film.


  41. PETER (V.O.): The last time I visited France was Summer of 2014.


  42. Watching.


  43. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Some of the scenes aren't unfamiliar to me.


  44. Then we hear from the TV set:...It all began on May 15...


  45. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): What a co-incidence! I bought the DVD months ago and didn't have the time and mood to watch it. And today....


  46. INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT


  47. Peter is having dinner with FAMILY.


  48. PETER (V.O.): My elder daughter sent me her good wishes in the afternoon.


  49. Pausing.


  50. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm looking forward to our skype communication after dinner.


  51. Later, the FAMILY reunites via the web.


  52. PETER (To screen): The last time we met was Chinese New Year Day...


  53. DAUGHTER (On screen): I'm keeping all my options open...Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea...


  54. PETER: Yes, focus on the positive, treat any obstacles as temporary setback...


  55. Act 3


  56. NT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)


  57. As family members take turns to talk to the screen, a birthday cake is put on the table.


  58. WIFE: Make a wish!


  59. PETER: I wish I can work for another 30 years!


  60. WIFE: Good! Good for the family!


  61. INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT


  62. Peter is in bed.


  63. PETER (V.O.): Having worked for 40 years with government, I retired. Then, I had a few years on a frolic of my own. Since 2017, I've been in private practice.


  64. Pausing.


  65. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Uncle Ray is 30 years my senior in age. I really hope that I could having the privilege to work for another 30 years.


  66. FADE OUT.


  67. THE END


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