Package Deal
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Mar 2, 2021
- 2 min read
FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. STUDY - MORNING (YESTERDAY)
PETER is working behind a computer.
PETER (V.O.): I thought I could come up with a refined draft decision of a domain name dispute. But I couldn't keep my focus.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In an hour, I'll have to attend the final funeral service of my dear Mom-in-law.
INT. FUNERAL PARLOUR - LATE MORNING
Peter and his FAMILY are in mourning dresses, performing rituals as directed.
PETER (V.O.): They're just activities to help us adapt to the change.
They bow a lot.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It seems that the more bows we make, the more we can adapt to our loss.
Act 2
INT. RESTAURANT - AFTERNOON.
Sitting with his two SONS and a DAUGHTER, Peter reads some texts on his phone screen.
PETER (V.O.): Today is Sunday. But a solicitor has just sent me a lengthy draft to comment.
Reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): He's a workaholic. And he doesn't know that I'm undergoing bereavement.
Peter stops reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But I'm not in the mood of dealing with something which is primarily money matters.
Noting his WIFE is sharing a table with a MAN and a WOMAN, Peter engages his wife.
PETER: Just three of you?
WIFE: No, my Mom is here.
PETER (V.O.): Oh yes...
FLASHBACK
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY (1974)
Peter (20) is having a meal with over a dozen of his CLASSMATES. We see no one sitting next to him, but it looks he is serving SOMEONE sitting next to him.
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.) (Cont;d): Two of our dear classmates were struck dead by lightning at Lantau Peak. After a funeral, we had a meal. I was then the chairman of our class society.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): A funeral service helps us acknowledge someone we love has died. It's an institutional support system.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): We all had dreams but my matriculation classmates were prevented from making them come true.
Sighing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And that was over 40 years ago.
INT. STUDY - NIGHT
Peter reads something.
PETER (V.O.): It's really very hard to do something while I'm not in the mood of doing them. But my brand of prompt performance is at stake.
As his phone rings, Peter takes the call. It's after a long while that he ends the telephone conversation.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The other side can't wait. Challenging my limits, I've captured and delivered value all the same.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's good in a way, as I can focus on other priorities.
INT. DINING ROOM - LATE NIGHT
Peter is having dinner in the presence of his wife.
PETER: I've to go to court tomorrow. I couldn't drive you to work.
Pausing.
WIFE: I won't go to work tomorrow. I've taken leave.
PETER (V.O.): Oh, my wife takes bereavement leave. She's a workaholic.
Act 3
EXT. ROADS - TODAY
In a black suit, Peter is walking towards a MTR station.
PETER (V.O.): I've had a long day in court, playing my professional role.
INT. SITTING ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON
Arriving home, Peter sees his wife is about to go out with the family pet and their SON.
PETER: Enjoy!
INT. STUDY - EVENING
Listening to the oldies, Peter is in thoughts.
PETER (V.O.) Which is a good way to cope with grief? Work or leave?
Thinking.
PETER: Have I got so used to working like robots that I've become immune from bereavement?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): No. I've actually thought deep about life and death - it's a package deal.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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