Problem Solving
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Mar 9, 2023
- 2 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. SITTING ROOM - 00:15
Staring at the tin-soldered wiring of his pedal switch, PETER looks perplexed.
PETER (V.O.): My wife fixed the wiring professionally. The pedal switch has worked for awhile...
We see Peter pressing the rubber lever inside the pedal switch.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But pedal switch isn't working again.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Have I identified the problem correctly?
Peter examines the contact points of the wiring again.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I can't see any problem.
Looking tired and frustrated, Peter goes to the bedroom.
Act 2
FLASHBACK
INT. STUDIO - DAY (DAYS AGO)
Preparing to play a guitar, Peter steps on the pedal switch connected to a KORG rhythm machine. We hear nothing.
PETER (V.O.): What's wrong?
Repeating with the same result, Peter checks the cable connected to the footswitch jack of the rhythm machine.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): They're well connected.
As Peter presses a lit-up button of the rhythm machine, we hear rhythm patterns immediately.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): So the rhythm machine is Okay...
When Peter steps on the pedal switch, we continue to hear the rhythm patterns.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The pedal switch can't stop the rhythm machine.
Peter stops the rhythm machine by pressing a machine button with his hand.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): As a one-man band, I've recorded some of my MVs with this rhythm machine, using the pedal switch to start and stop it.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I recognise there's a problem. But I don't know what exactly is it.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Which is faulty? The rhythm machine or the pedal switch?
Using a screw driver, Peter opens the pedal switch and uses a metal clip to press the contact points.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It looks nothing is wrong.
But when Peter presses the switch lever inside it, there's no response.
INT. MUSIC STORE - DAY (LATER)
A STAFF is receiving Peter who has the rhythm machine and the pedal switch in his hands.
PETER (V.O.): I won't bother others to help without first trying to solve the problem myself.
Using another pedal switch, the staff has no problem to start or stop Peter's rhythm machine.
STAFF: Your pedal switch is faulty.
PETER: I buy a new one then.
While passing a new one to Peter, the staff sees Peter keeping the faulty pedal switch.
STAFF: It's useless. Throw it away.
PETER (V.O.): I don't like his attitude towards the problem.
INT. SITTING ROOM - DAY (LATER)
Opening the faulty pedal switch, Peter re-examines the wirings and uses a metal clip to press the contact points again. A wiring comes loose.
PETER (V.O.): The problem must be it.
MONTAGE OF THE HELP FROM PETER'S WIFE
A. As the iron is being heated, she clears and cleans the broken wiring of the pedal switch.
B. Applying a small bead of solder to the copper part of the tip, she tins the joint, giving it a shiny appearance.
END MONTAGE
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My wife picked up the skill while doing summer jobs in her secondary school days. I'm very impressed.
RETURN TO PRESENT
Act 3
INT. SITTING ROOM - 08:30
We see Peter starting or stopping the rhythm machine with his no-longer-faulty pedal switch.
PETER (V.O.): I've discovered the real problem - the cable inside the pedal switch has been twisted for too long, leading to bad contact.
Smiling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Problems aren't stop signs, they're guidelines. Problems are chances for us to accomplish something.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Living is a creative process of problem solving.
FADE OUT
THE END
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