May 5
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Jun 15, 2021
- 2 min read
FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Sitting in bed. PETER is working on a laptop.
PETER (V.O.): What a nice Day 1 to begin with.
FLASHBACK
INT. SITTING ROOM - DAY (EARLIER)
Peter is packing.
WIFE: It has been a long time...
PETER: (V.O.): Yes, the last time was in Dec 2019.
PETER: When will we set off?
WIFE: At 2.00pm.
Exits Peter.
Act 2
INT. STUDY - LATER
Peter turns off a computer.
PETER (V.O.): I always like to do something first before rewarding myself with something.
Peter grabs his phone.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Today is May 5 of the traditional Chinese calendar. It's the Dragon Boat Festival and a public holiday in Hong Kong.
Peter sees lots of notifications.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My friends and the chat groups are exchanging greetings.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've written songs for all the important Chinese festivals.
Peter checks YouTube.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've found it. It's a trilingual one.
We see on his phone screen a video clip entitled: 五月五 Celebrate the Festival 淡淡問候.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I wrote it before I began my private practice. Among my song, I quite like this one.
Copying the link, Peter sends it to his friends and other chat groups.
EXT. HOTEL - LATER
Entrance. Peter, his wife and KAJI, their pet, arrive in their Previa, leaving it to a valet.
INT. HOTEL ROOM - LATER
Inside a pet-friendly harbour-view room, Peter and his wife look very pleased, but Kaji is perplexed.
WIFE: At last, we're taking her to have a staycation in a hotel.
PETER: I believe she might feel at home as we're with her.
Peter and his wife begin to treat Kaji as their photo model. Kaji isn't amused.
WIFE: Let's go out and have a walk.
EXT. WEST KOWLOON CULTURAL DISTRICT - LATER
Peter, his wife and Kaji are strolling.
PETER (V.O.): I couldn't remember some of the lyrics of my May 5th song.
Playing the song, Peter puts his phone very close to his ear.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I began with the Cantonese lyrics. Then I thought about my friend Malcolm and wrote some lyrics in English.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And then I thought about my friends in Canada and in Beijing and wrote some Mandarin lyrics.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I wrote the melody and the lyrics with heart.
Seeing a WOMAN sitting alone at the embankment, Peter includes her in a photo.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Exchanging greetings seems light, but those without heart won't even do that.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And I don't know if I can write another song as good as that.
Exits the party.
Act 3
EXT. SWIMMING POOL - LATER
A wet-haired Peter takes a selfie.
PETER (V.O.): The facilities are basic. But this's the first time I've swum in a 76/F swimming pool!
INT. HOTEL ROOM - LATER
Peter and his wife are enjoying room service as Kaji looks on.
PETER: It seems that she'd like to have some of our food.
WIFE: No.
Later, Peter gives her a little bit under the table.
PETER (V.O.): It should be her day,
RETURN TO PRESENT
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Looking forward to Day 2.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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