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Salt, Steel & Letting Go

Writer: Peter K F Cheung SBS
Peter K F Cheung SBS
Jul 9, 2025
3 min read
  1. FADE IN


  2. Act 1

  3.  

  4. INT. LIVING ROOM - 09:05

  5.   

  6. PETER receives a WhatsApp message from Fatboy.


  7. PETER (V.O.): Good, my Eunos 30X has been repaired, and I can pick it up now.


  8. Pausing.


  9. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): This means I can stop for a swim at Golden Bay on my way to my NT home before meeting my contractor at 2pm.


  10. Pausing.


  11. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In my NT home, I'd like to see if I can remove the old sofa from the penthouse to the front yard for collection by the management's removal team.


  12. Pausing.


  13. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Before heading to Fatboy's garage, let me maintain my Duolingo streaks. I've done a few in the small hours of the morning.


  14. We can hear Peter practising French, Italian and Japanese.


  15.  Act 2


  16. EXT. SO KWUN WAT, TUEN MUN - 10:45


  17. Peter is driving his silver Eunos 30X.


  18. PETER (V.O.): The ride is rough and the fuel light is on. I'd head to a nearby service station.


  19. Driving through the built-up neighbourhood.


  20. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I was a Land Executive at the Tuen Mun Land Office in1980, this area was under my charge back then, with virgin lands all around.


  21. EXT. SINOPEC PETROL STATION - 10:55


  22. Pumping corner. Peter grabs a tire pump to fill the tires.


  23. PETER (V.O.): The staff was so kind to suggest that I use my earned coupons to pay for the fuel.


  24. Pausing.


  25. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): To reciprocate, I bought a car windshield shade and paid cash.


  26. EXT. GOLDEN BAY - 11:15


  27. The sun glistens on the water. Peter strips down to his swim brief, and enters the water.


  28. PETER (V.O.): When I was working in the Tuen Mun Land Office, I was aware of the plans to develop the artificial beaches in this area. In recent years, I've been enjoying them.


  29. We see Peter doing a few butterfly strokes.


  30. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): The cure of anything is salt: sweat, tears or the sea.


  31. INT/EXT. PETER'S NT HOME -13:45


  32. Penthouse. Peter gazes at an old four-seater sofa - comprising four separable sections and a detachable corner.


  33.  PETER (V.O.): I think I can move them to the front yard. Let me begin with the easy one.


  34. Peter carries the detachable corner section of the sofa to the front yard.


  35. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Even with a fee, the management won't enter my house to collect items for disposal.


  36. Peter struggles to maneuver the other sections of the old sofa downstairs.


  37. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Physical activity and independence contribute to a vibrant life at any age.


  38. Pausing.


  39. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Decay and growth are ultimately two sides or the same coin. Letting go is putting it in a format where I can observe, analyse, and appreciate it.


  40. Later, soon after the CONTRACTOR leaves, the management's removal TEAM arrives. The team HEAD spots Peter's red1989 Nissan 200SX parked nearby.


  41. HEAD: No way - is that a clean Nissan 200SX?


  42. PETER: Yes.


  43. HEAD: That's a beauty.


  44. The team Head then spots Peter's Eunos 30X parked in front of the Nissan.


  45. HEAD: Eunos! Yours too?


  46. PETER: Very few people know about the Eunos brand.


  47. HEAD: Mazda marketed it as its upscale line.


  48. PETER: Yes, it's fun to drive it.


  49. As the Head directs the team to load the old sofa, Peter still chats with him about cars.


  50. PETER (V.O.): They say the Effiel tower looks like steel and lace.


  51. Pausing.


  52. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Salt heals. Steel bends. Only fools think holding on is strength


  53. Act 3


  54. INT. LIVING ROOM - 21:30

  55.  

  56. Peter uploads an image showcasing his 1995 Enos 30X and his1989 Nissan 200SX to a draft on his laptop.


  57. PETER (V.O.): I've been weighed down for far too long. It's time to gradually let go.


  58. Thinking.


  59. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I find happiness in small, everyday activities - managing my cars, swimming in the sea and clearing out old clutter.


  60. Reflecting.


  61. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): A fulfilling life isn't about grand achievements - its about savouring what I love, staying engaged, and finding joy in the process.


  62.  FADE OUT


  63. END

 
 
 

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