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Nothing Significant

Writer's picture: Peter K F Cheung SBSPeter K F Cheung SBS
  1. FADE IN.


  2. Act 1


  3. INT. SLEEPING ROOM - AFTERNOON


  4. Sitting by the bedside table, PETER has just removed a lithium button cell from a watch.


  5. PETER (V.O.): It's so small or my eyesight has become so poor that I can read its specific name. I've to magnify it.


  6. Having taken a close-up photo of the lithium button cell with his phone, Peter checks the details.


  7. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Okay, I can't see its specific name now. Don't know if I can buy a replacement lithium button cell readily.


  8. INT. HOUSEHOLD STORE - LATER


  9. In front of some hanger racks, Peter compares packaged lithium button cells on display with the image on is phone screen. He finds something.


  10. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Despite the different specific names used by different manufacturers, this's the equivalent one.


  11. Peter checks the price.


  12. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh it's so cheap - HK$12.9 for 10 pieces.


  13. Peter takes a package and pays at the counter.


  14. Act 2


  15. INT. SLEEPING ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON


  16. Having fixed the lithium button cell inside a watch, Peter checks the hands of the watch.


  17. PETER (V.O.): It works. Good!


  18. Covering the watch with a back panel, Peter begins to put a tiny screw into one of the 4 screw holes.


  19. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The screw is so tiny that I can't hold it properly with my fingers. Let me use a metal clipper.


  20. As soon as Peter clips the tiny screw, it springs away.


  21. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh dear...


  22. Peter surveys the vicinity in front of him but no screw is in sight.


  23. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Okay, let me first fix the rest and try not to repeat the mistake.


  24. Having tried very hard and succeeded in screwing in 3 other screws out of 4 holes, Peter searches the missing screw with his phone torch, but in vain.


  25. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It shouldn't have gone out of the window; it should still be inside the room; but I can't find it!


  26. Pausing.


  27. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): In fact, I have never worn this watch...Even if I wear it, having fixed 3 screws out of 4 should be relatively secure...


  28. Pausing.


  29. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): The missing screw is so insignificant. Perhaps, I shouldn't bother with it anymore.


  30. As he re-treats from his stool, Peter sees a shiny little object on the floor.


  31. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I've found it!


  32. Having fixed the last screw on the watch back, Peter checks his phone notifications.


  33. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Well, my Quora story, the Tenant, has so far had over 1.5 million views, 3000 likes and 99 comments.


  34. Pausing.


  35. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Some comments are critical for no particular reason. As a story teller, I tell of my story in my own style - nothing significant.


  36. Pausing.


  37. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Due to Quora's accessibility, there're some trying hard to find minor things to justify their complaints or meanness; while some can't agree and argue with them.


  38. Pausing.


  39. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I've only reacted to one. I upvoted her housing management insight.


  40. Pausing.


  41. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): A Quoran professes that she is highly intelligent. Having reviewed all the comments, she says she can't point a finger to any "problems". But her complaint is that she can't understand what is "rental allowance", as there isn't such a concept in Canada.


  42. Pausing.


  43. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): The Internet brings culture closer to more people.


  44. Pausing.


  45. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Anyhow, as I don't deserve to be treated meanly, I don't respond to mean behaviour.


  46. Thinking.


  47. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I don't want to validate and reward the insignificant number of mean persons out of 1.5 million to justify their further mean behaviour.


  48. Pausing.


  49. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I'm wise enough not to give them the attention they seek to escalate the unnecessary and petty conflicts.


  50. Pausing.


  51. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): While I don't feel bad for myself, I feel sad for them as their view of the world is so limited and negative.


  52. Act 3


  53. INT. SLEEPING ROOM - NIGHT


  54. Lying in bed, Peter is listening to radio music.


  55. PETER (V.O.): I observe that many people can't understand why some people are so mean?


  56. Pausing.


  57. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): People can be mean because they don't have the knowledge and insight to judge, or they don't have the logical and social skills to communicate.


  58. Pausing.

  59. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Communication is two-way process. It can be misunderstood or misinterpreted, due to people's stereotypes and negative assumptions.


  60. Pausing.


  61. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Some may have misdirected intentions, wanting to intervene in the outcome of any process, showing their "right" perspective and making themselves noticeable.


  62. Pausing.


  63. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): They may simply project their own short-comings onto others, criticising others in an attempt to control them emotionally, and to feel better about themselves.


  64. Pausing.


  65. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): All the time, I've been trying to excel in my own life.


  66. Pausing.


  67. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's time for me to recharge myself.


  68. Peter sleeps.


  69. FADE OUT.


  70. THE END


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