Noodles & Nostalgia
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Mar 18
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 19
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. LIVING ROOM - 11:30
The sun peeks through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the cluttered room. Grabbing his goggles, PETER talks to his WIFE.
PETER: Before our March trip to Busan, today is the only day I can get back to NT to manage the cars being stored there.
WIFE: Bring some stuff to store there. We need to vacate our other apartment for the contractor to start renovations.
PETER: But I'm not driving, I'll just take the bus.
His wife raises an eyebrow.
WIFE: You've cars here.
PETER: I want to stopover in Yuen Long to swim... I'm not interested in looking for parking.
PETER (V.O.): And I'd have Wonton Noodles since Mak's Noodles has opened a branch in the city centre.
Act 2
EXT. SHIU BIN TSUEN - 12:45
Bus stop. Peter alights from a Route 286C bus.
PETER (V.O.): This bus stop holds a wealth of memories for me.
MONTAGE OF PETER'S MEMORIES (1967)
A. A bakery, early morning. Peter (13) is wearing his school uniform and enjoying a Pineapple Bun, along with a bottle of Vitasoy.
B. Zebra crossing, later. Peter crosses it and enters Shung Tak College.
C. Bus stop, late afternoon. Seeing a full bus pass without stopping, Peter and other STUDENTS decide to leave and walk toward the Yuen Long town centre.
END MONTAGE
EXT. YUEN LONG PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL - 13:15
A few SOULS. Peter swims with ease.
PETER (V.O.): I love swimming here. I believe it's the only open-air heated pubic swimming pool in Hong Kong.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): During my intense preparation for the HKU law exams in the early 1980s, I'd come here to take a break.
INT. MAK'S NOODLES - 14:30
Elegant trade dress. Peter takes a seat.
PETER (V.O.): I've visited this place three times for its Wonton Noodles; and during my last visit, I overheard a customer ordering thick noodles.
As WAITRESS#1 approaches him, Peter does his order.
PETER: I'd like a bowl of Wonton Noodles with thick noodles please.
FLASHBACK
INT. HAWKER STALL, HUNG SHUI KIU - DAY (1963)
Steams fill the air. Peter (9), in school uniform, gives the HAWKER a 10-cent coin.
PETER: I'd like a bowl of Plain Noodles with thick noodles please.
PETER (V.O.): I believe that the thicker noodles would fill my stomach better.
Hesitating.
PETER(Cont'd): If possible, please add some beef soup.
When Peter sees the hawker add some beef soup to his bowl of plain noodes, Peter is filled with delight.
PETER (V.O.): It'd be delicious!
RETURN TO PRESENT
Moments later, WAITRESS#2 brings Peter a steaming bowl of Wonton Noodles, complete with thick noodles.
PETER (V.O.): They're thicker than the thin ones I had on previous occasions.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): But they're still much thinner than the ones I had in Hung Shui Kiu way back when.
Peter carefully pours some vinegar into a small dish.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I enjoy my Wonton Noodles with a splash of vinegar.
Soon, Peter finishes, every last Wonton, noodle and drops of soup.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): During my primary school days, my classmates and I often skipped breakfast as we might not have even 10 cents.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): To help us cope with hunger, I cooked out a smart solution: Let's swallow our own saliva!
Act 3
INT. LIVING ROOM - 21:30
Peter inserts an AI drawing titled: "Noodles & Nostalgia..." to a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O): In every bowl of noodles, a story waits to be shared. As I sip my noodles, I taste the challenges of my younger days.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Nostalgia adds flavour to my memories, just like vinegar enhances a bowl of wonton noodles.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Noodles are one of my passports to nostalgia.
FADE OUT
END
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