Not Yet
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Jun 10
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. LIVING ROOM - 18:15
PETER sits at an upright piano. His fingers hover over the keys - tentative, searching.
He plays the verse of The Girl from Ipanema. Then he stops.
PETER (V.O.): At Ricky's 80th birthday party last night, Jolan remarked that good performers shouldn't need the paper. The music should live in their fingers and skulls.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): At 72, that feels late.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Late is never. I'm not never, I'm not yet.
He taps his chest.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That's the difference between the dead and the old.
Act 2
FLASHBACK
INT. CHARIOT CLUB - 17:50 (Last night)
Old MUSICIANS hugging. RICKY (80), stands by a blue Fender telecaster. He spots Peter entering, waves him over.
RICKY: The IP man.
PETER: Happy Birthday, Ricky.
Ricky pulls a lean, silver-haired man - VASCO - forward.
RICKY: Peter, meet Vasco, bass player of The Mystics.
PETER: I love The Mystics' Song of the Wind.
Vasco's eyes light up. Peter hums the melody. Smiles. Ricky then introduces Peter to a sharp-eyed man - DEREK.
RICKY: Peter, this is Derek, guitarist and vocalist of The Menace.
PETER: The Menace - You Don't Even Wink Your Eyes.
Derek stares. Then laughs.
DEREK: You knew us. The record was cut in 1967. We're just secondary school students.
PETER: I had my dream too, but during my performance around X'mas 1970, I realized my limitations. I went back to my books.
Ricky then introduces Peter to NORMAN - the record industry guru.
RICKY: Norman, this is Peter, someone I'd sought advice...
PETER: Norman Fancy. Your lead guitar instrumental...
Later - party live performance.
A stage. BANDS with Ricky as a member, play and sing Ricky's compositions. Peter sits at the side, watching.
PETER (V.O.): They're so professional.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I was still with Govt, Ricky would join me to play my songs on stage to promote creativity.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I wanted to prove that songwriting is something everyone can learn. You don't have to copy - just create. And it's fun.
Near Peter, CHESEA sways. CHRISTINE at the far side, captures videos.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've held onto their images from the 1960s and 1970s in my mind for years. But now, for the first time, I'm seeing them in person.
As the party is about to end, ANN joins Peter.
PETER: Your husband is my role model - still going strong at 80.
ANN: He's smart about his work and all-in when he plays.
Peter nods.
ANN (Cont'd): How old are you?
PETER: 72.
ANN: You've got lots of time!
Peter looks at Ricky laughing, surrounded by musicians near the stage.
PETER (V.O.): Ricky plays his songs from memory. I still can't remember mine.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That I hope isn't failure. That's just - not yet.
RETURN TO PRESENT
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - 22:00
Peter uploads an image to a draft on his laptop. It shows a vinyl record with guests' signatures on it as a gift for Ricky's 80th birthday anniversary.
PETER (V.O.): Every master was once a "not yet".
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): At the party, I watched Christine sing with a white-haired pianist. His hands just knew.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): May be by the time I'm 80.
The END
FADE OUT
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