Steamed Beef Balls
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Apr 12, 2022
- 2 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. STUDY - 9:30
Smart phone in hand, PETER is talking to someone.
PETER (To phone): Have I settled all my tax liability?
SOMEONE (From phone): Yes, you've paid the whole sum on Feb 4.
PETER : (To phone): But I haven't got any receipt.
SOMEONE: We don't do that. But we can send one if you want.
PETER (To phone): Yes, please.
Ending the call, Peter looks pleased.
PETER (V.O.): Good, I can focus to see what financial matters are bothering my Mum.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Yesterday, my sister said Mum needed my help. Am I my Mum's main anchor?
Act 2
EXT. RESTAURANT, HUNG SHUI KIU - 11.45
Having done orders, Peter waits for his takeaways.
PETER (V.O.): Steamed beef balls should be particularly fine for my Mum.
Peter takes a photo of stacks of bamboo steamers.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I always think it smart that Chinese use such eco-friendly bamboo steamers to cook and serve dim-sums.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But I'm going to take away my dim-sums in foam containers.
Peter checks a notice.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The restaurant will only resume full service on April 21.
INT. PETER'S MUM'S HOME - 12:00
Opening the foam containers, Peter's MUM (91) sees steamed beef balls and other buns.
MUM: Wow! The steamed beef balls are so big.
Peter's Mum opens her mouth to show Peter her only tooth.
PETER: Don't worry.
Peter uses chopsticks to cut a steamed beef ball into small pieces in a bowl before passing it to his Mum.
PETER: Eat first.
Capturing the moment, Peter sends the photo to the family chat group.
PETER (V.O.): The Cheung family members should be pleased to eat her eating.
PETER: Would you take the jabs so that you can go to restaurants?
MUM: No! I'm OK now...No, I've already lost inches in height...
Later, Peter's Mum passes bank books and deposit slips for Peter to see.
MUM: I can't read the small prints. There're deadlines. I don't know what to do.
Peter examines them one by one.
PETER: Don't worry about your fixed deposits. The banks won't take the money away from you when they mature.
Peter's Mum nods.
PETER (Cont'd): An account freeze isn't a problem either, as no one can take your money away from ATMs.
Peter's Mum smiles.
INT. PETER'S NT HOME - 18:00
Checking his smart phone, Peter sees a missed call.
PETER (V.O.): Oh, it's from my Mum.
Calling back, we hear the busy signal.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Is she calling me for help?
As Peter repeats calling, the busy signal repeats.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Anything wrong? She's living alone. I must go back to her home and check...
Peter's phone rings. We see on screen it's from Peter's wife.
WIFE (From phone): Are you home yet?
PETER: No.
WIFE (From phone): Your Mum has called me to tell you to phone her when you're safe at home.
Act 3
INT. STUDY - 19:45
Returning, Peter makes a call.
PETER: Mum, have you eaten the remaining steamed beef ball?
MUM: Yes! You're home! I feel good now!
The conversation continues for a while.
PETER (V.O.): The bond between mother and son remains unchanged by time and distance.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): To visit Mum today reminds me how much I'm loved.
FADE OUT
THE END
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