Quarantine 5
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Apr 16, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 16, 2020
FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. SITTING ROOM - DAY
PETER and his WIFE are at different corners, as KAJI, the family pet, rushes to the door. We then hear the sound of a door key in lock. As the door opens, we see their younger DAUGHTER emerging and Kaji climbing up at her.
WiFE: Who's back?
PETER: Welcome home!
The daughter is busy filming Kaji's responses in meeting her.
PETER (V.O.): Her 21-day quarantinee is over. For all to stay healthy, we've to practise prudent commmunity hygiene during the pandemic.
FLASHBACK
INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Peter and his wife are having dinner.
PETER: How was our daughter's reaction upon hearing our decison to externd her quarantine by a week?
WIFE: She was rather upset, remarking that she wrongly believed she would be seeing our pet in hours.
PETER: Yes, I know.
PETER (V.O.) It was stressful for her to make her way home. Then she got COVID-19-like symptoms, had to take an ambulance ride and waited hours for her COVID-19 testing result. Despite tested negative, she had to comply with the compulsory quarantine.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But the 14-day quarantine is no precision science. She could be one of the Ninja spreaders. We've a common duty of care to make our home safe for our pet and our maid, although we can't wait to see her.
Act 2
EXT. PET GARDEN - DAY
Peter and his wife are watching Kaji playing with other dogs. Peter takes a shot of Kaji.
PETER (V.O.): As our daughter couldn't join us, let me share this good shot with her and my other children.
Peter taps on his phone screen.
INT. SITTING ROOM - DAY
Peter and his wife are chatting.
WIFE: I haven't had dim-sums for quite awhile. Let's eat out.
PETER: Why won't we wait until our daughter can join us?
Peter's wife doesn't look happy.
PETER: We may relax her extended quarantine if you want - the extra days are voluntary and arbitrary.
WIFE: No, we stick to our decision.
WIFE (To Maid): Please cook some noodles for us.
INT. MINI - STUDY - DAY
Peter checks phone notifications.
PETER (V.O.): So many Quorans pose questions to me about Wuhan's turnaround, about international travel and tourism. It all depends on knowing more about the capability of the coronavirus, how it can be spread and when a vaccine against it will be available?
Peter surfs the web.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): There're carriers who are symptomatic, others can be very mild symptomatic, presymptomatic and even asymptomatic.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Without any coronavirus vaccine and the development of herd immunity, there isn't any coronavirus-free environment.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Yes, our daughter's 21-day quarantine is appropriate in the circumstances.
INT. SITTING ROOM - DAY
Peter and his wife are watching TV news.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, the COVID-19 situation in China's northern border with Russia is quite grave.
They follow the news attentively.
PETER: Oh! China has extended the quanrantines for travellers arriving by air in Suifehe and in Harbin to a full month!
Pausing.
PETER (discreetly): Shall we further extend our daugnter's quarantine?
WIFE (Firmly): No!
PETER (V.O.): Apart from the lack of freedom, no one would like to be treated like a virus...
END FLASHBACK
Act 3
INT. SITTING ROOM - CONTINOUS
WIFE: You can return to your study and studio if you like.
Peter is hesitating.
WIFE (Cont'd): Our daughter hasn't decided where to live yet...
PETER: Let her decide whatever that's comfortable for her before I make any move.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.): For the past three weeks, I have also got used to my new environment.
WIFE: OK, let me go to the market to buy something good for our celebration dinner.
INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Peter, his wife, their daughter dine as Kaji watches.
INT. SITTING ROOM - NIGHT
Peter, his wife, their daughter and Kaji are relaxing in their spots.
PETER (V.O.): It's great to have a healthy mini family reunion.
FADE OUT.
THE END
Comments