Not Luck
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. FAT BOY AUTO-REPAIR- 09:45
A slightly greasy garage. PETER stands beside his Mercedes. FAT BOY plugs a diagnostic computer into the seden.
PETER: The engine light is on. Probably a sensor problem...
FAT BOY and a MECHANIC check the diagnostic result.
MECHANIC: It's the auxiliary battery. Under the front hood.
FAT BOY: Just replace the battery.
PETER: Sure.
Fat boy gets the new battery and the Mechanic installs it. Peter checks the dashboard.
PETER: Everything is nornal now.
PETER (V.O.): No drama. Is luck on my side?
Act 2
INT. BYD SERVICE CENTER - 11:15
Waiting lounge. Pemium sofas. Hi-tech massage chairs. A SALESMAN gestures towards Peter and his WIFE.
.
SALESMAN: Your car is undergoing final inspection. Please, enjoy the massage chairs.
Peter and his wife exchange a look.
PETER (V.O.): Why not?
They sink into the chairs. They hum and roll. They stay alert, peeking through the glass wall into the service bay.
PETER: There it is.
A brand new Sea Lion 7, polar white. A TECHNICIAN wipes the windshield. And on the rear, a glossy licence plate.
WIFE: Yes, our new car!
Peter's lips curls into a subtle smile. A SALESWOMAN nearby looks at the car and remarks.
SALESWOMAN: The registration number is beautiful.
PETER (V.O.): She comments that the registration number is beautiful, not the vehicle itself.
The salewoman walks off.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): She doesn't know we bid on it.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): No one ever does. They always think we got lucky.
FLASHBACK
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT (2002)
Modest. Peter (48) folds a letter and chats with his wife.
PETER: My mortgages are all gone. And you're going to become a lawyer.
PETER: I think we'd bid two to three lucky car registration numbers for our new cars.
His wife stares at him.
PETER (Cont'd): I've creatively included our names in the numbers...
Pausing.
PETER (Cont'd): Wherever we go, luck might follow us.
WIFE: But that will cost a fortune.
PETER: I know, but they go to charity - my way of giving back.
WIFE: Strange man.
PETER: Strange enough to pay off mortgages. Strange enough to groom my wife to become a lawyer.
INT. KAWAGUCHIKO PARK HOTEL - 17:00 (May 19, 2026)
A serene lobby. Peter and his wife are checking in with the RECEPTIONIST.
RECEPTIONIST: What is your car number?
PETER (V.O.): I can't remember.
Peter reaches into his pocket. He holds up the rental car key fob with a registration number tag attached. The receptionist marks down the number on a record.
RECEPTIONIST: Thank you.
Peter smiles faintly. He doesn't even glance at the number.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I just don't memorize what isn't mine.
RETURN TO PRESENT
Act 3
INT. BYD SERVICE CENTER - 12:00
The Salesman leads Peter and his wife to the delivery bay. Then, they begin to inspect their new car. Peter runs a finger over its licence plate.
PETER (V.O.): Luck is what happens when I'm not paying attention. Everything else is a choice I made years ago.
His wife opens the driver's door.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Not luck means playing the long game. The fruit I'm eating today was planted when my hair was still dark.
Peter takes a seat at the back row.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): To build a life that looks lucky from the outside but was planned on the inside - that's the real art.
The END
FADE OUT
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