Steps Forward
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Jan 14
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 1
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. STUDY - 20:30
Smartphone in hand, PETER smiles at the screen.
PETER (V.O): I've just completed all my daily Duolingo streaks.
Peter rubs his eyes.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I used to complete this by 11am, but today...today is different.
Tapping the Health app, Peter checks the step count: Today, 12,554 steps; Average, 20,968.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Oh, today, I've taken fewer steps than I usually do. The past weeks have been all about walking to see Alfred.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I didn't see Alfred today, as he had a medical appointment in Queen Mary Hospital.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): However, I drove approximately 100 km today.
Act 2
FLASHBACK
EXT. PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL - 10:15 (Today)
Peter swims with surprising agility for his age, gliding through the water effortlessly.
PETER (V.O): I take exercising my body as an essential part of my daily routine.
Swimming breaststrokes.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Having worked for over 40 years, I retired at the age of 60.
Swimming free style.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Having completed my sanitization period as required for senior civil servants, I've been working in retirement as a Barrister and a HKUST Council Member.
Peter leaves.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): At age 70 now, I think I should retire from my retirement.
INT. CAR LICENSING OFFICE - 12:30
Counter. Peter hands over the paperwork (including a time-limited roadworthy certificate) to a STAFF.
PETER (V.O): As a senior citizen, I just walk in and join the short queue.
Getting the licence, Peter smiles.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): It's a small thing, but I still have a sense of accomplishment.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Last Nov, my wife and I forgot to take a flight from Tokyo to Tottori.
EXT. TO LO HARBOUR HIGHWAY - 15:15
Peter is driving his WIFE in a silver Previa in the fast lane.
PETER (V.O): Recently, I've watched lots cockpit video clips.
Daydreaming.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I envision the open road as a runway...
Peter checks the readings on the dashboard and then the mirrors.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): But planes don't have rear mirrors!
MONTAGE AT PETER'S NT HOME LATER
A. Driveway. Having started the engines of his dust-covered Eunos 30X and SMART Pulse, Peter washes them.
B. Studio. Before a Yamaha piano, Peter plays a jazz ballad and then "A Summer Place", rather smoothly.
END MONTAGE
INT. ELDERLY HOME - 17:45
Hallway. Peter and his wife walk closely beside their Mum (93), offering her ready support if needed.
PETER (V.O): My Mum can still remember me at times, but she has forgotten her daughter-in-law of over 30 years.
Their Mum moves slowly but purposefully, the supporting frame providing stablity as she takes each step forward.
MUM: Here's my room...but my premises elsewhere are a lot better and bigger...
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): My Mum can walk about 40-50 steps without any problem.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Alfred has to relearn walking. Walking half of my Mum's steps would pose a challenge for him.
RETURN TO PRESENT
Act 3
INT. STUDY - CONTINUOUS
Peter inserts an AI drawing titled: "Steps Forward..." to a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O): In every moment, there're three options: to step forward or backward or stay put.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): No matter my pace, whether fast or slow, I'm taking steps every day toward reaching my objectives.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I believe every step forward brings me closer to achieving something greater and more fulfilling than where I'm now.
FADE OUT
THE END
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