May the 4th...
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- May 4, 2022
- 2 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. SITTING ROOM - 09:00
Checking a Quora answer request, PETER sees: What's humankind's single greatest achievement?
PETER (V.O.): To sustain the human life force.
Peter types his answer right away.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Today is May 4th. It was an important day in Chinese history.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.): In 1989, my Nissan 200SX was delivered to me on May 4th. It was my instruction.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The car is 33 years old now. I've spent a lot of money to keep it going.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I must do something to mark the day.
Act 2
INT. STUDY - 10:00
Smart phone in hand, Peter is watching a video clip featuring a car.
PETER (V.O.): Well, the car design has aesthetic appeal. If it's available for sale in Hong Kong, I may buy it.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But I can make me a shareholder of the car manufacturer today.
Tapping the Hang Seng Bank App, Peter is about to type.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Make my offer price HK$100 per share. See if I'd get 200% satisfaction in due course.
Near-instantly, we hear: Ding! Peter checks the message.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd):Oh, done. That's how I'd mark May 4th today.
INT. KITCHEN - 10:30
Opening the door of a small fridge, Peter spills a cup of drink inside.
PETER (V.O.): Oh!
After cleaning the mess, Peter picks up a small harmonica nearby.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I haven't played the harmonica for a long time.
FLASHBACK
EXT. RESORT, SHEUNG SHUI - 17:00 (2008)
Seeing off his COLLEAGUES boarding a coach, Peter (54) plays a harmonica.
PETER (V.O.): We've done a retreat. If they only remember one thing, let it be my poetic way in seeing them off.
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In fact, that's the scene I can still remember vividly.
Peter begins to blow and draw the small harmonica
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I first began playing harmonica in the mid 1960s. I was still in primary school.
We hear an easy-listening tune.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's called "Infatuated Tears" (痴情淚) .
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I didn't shed any then.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I learned the basic techniques by following a Commercial Radio program hosted by Master Leung Yat-chiu.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I even wrote to him for numbered musical notations of songs.
Surfing the web, Peter finds Master Leung's harmonica solo performance. He promptly taps the play arrow and we hear strong ping sound effects.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, I haven't heard his performance since my pre-teen days.
Having listened, Peter surfs the web again and finds something interesting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, May 4th is also "Star Wars Day". It was first celebrated in 1979.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Then, I was still a bachelor and had no clue if my dreams might come true.
Act 3
INT. SITTING ROOM - 22:00
The TV is broadcasting a drama.
PETER (V.O.): As an instance of humankind, I'll turn age 68 soon. With my residual strength, I still have the courage to press on with my mission.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The May 4th Movement 1919 has left a legacy to China politically, socially and culturally.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): May the 4th... or may the Force be with everyone.
FADE OUT
THE END
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