Sleep Well
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Jul 6, 2022
- 2 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - 23:30 (YESTERDAY)
PETER goes to bed.
PETER (V.O.): I should sleep well as I don't have any engagement tomorrow.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But I've to appear in court coming Thursday and Friday.
Grabbing an eye mask from a side wardrobe, Peter wears it.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I was with Government, I used to wear an eye mask while sleeping. It's calm-inducing and I might sleep well.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Now, except for the nights before my court appearances, I don't wear it.
Pausing
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But there's no harm to adapt to it the night before.
Act 2
FLASHBACK
EXT. STREET - DAY (A WEEK AGO)
Waiting at the driver seat, Peter listens to the car radio.
PETER (V.O.): The anchors are interviewing an investment banker who has just retired.
We hear:...I've gone through many financial crises...I'm proud to say that I could always sleep well at night...
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Is that right?
We continue to hear:...Once I had assessed the worst case scenario eg losing my job but concluded that I could accept it, I had no problem in sleeping...
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That's a pretty good mindset
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And I envy those who can fall asleep while travelling by land, sea or air transport.
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've a persistent sense of worry, making it difficult for me to relax and fall asleep.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): To enable me to sleep well, I do exercises during the day; I've light dinners, and I stick to a sleep schedule.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): While in bed, I put on my eye mask and attempt to manage my worries. Recently, I've begun meditating too.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I do progressive muscle relaxation by paying attention to my body, relaxing my muscles one by one.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And then, I do body scan by focusing on different areas of my body and noting my physical sensations.
Breathing deep and slow.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And then, I would try to breathe deeply and slowly, matching my heart rate pattern.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I keep my bedroom cool and quiet. To make it dark, I wear an eye mask.
Peter sleeps.
INT. STUDY - NOON
Peter works on a laptop.
MONTAGE OF PETER'S CASE PREPARATION TODAY
A. Noon. Peter gets a call and then checks a file. He makes a call and engages in a lengthy conversation. Later, someone rings back.
B. Afternoon. Peter gets another call and then checks another file. He makes a further call and engages in another lengthy conversation. Later, someone rings back.
C. Late afternoon. Checking a pile of files, Peter jots down some notes.
END MONTAGE
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Making some uncertainties certain lessens my worries.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My fear is that sleep deprivation worsen my anxiety, spurring a negative circle of insomnia.
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - 22:30
Having set phone alarms at 06:45, Peter goes to bed.
PETER (V.O.): I've swum leisurely before my light dinner.
Peter puts on his eye mask.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Yes, I'll appear in court tomorrow and day after tomorrow. I'm well prepared.
Breathing deeply and slowly.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I should sleep well.
THE END
FADE OUT
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