Still Good
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - 05:23
Grey dawn light seeps around the edges of the curtains. PETER is already awake. He watches the digital clock on his bedside table.
PETER (V.O.): After two hectic days. Today is mine.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I still want to buy another headset...
Peter researches on his smartphone.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Ah, this looks great!
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And I want to book a January tour that fits my schedule.
Researching.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Ah, this one is nice. Perfect.
Act 2
INT. LIVING ROOM - 10:30
Peter sits on a sofa. He picks up his handheld devices, opens the Duolingo apps.
PETER (V.O.): I'd complete his daily routine in the morning, unless I've to work.
Soon, we hear Peter pronouncing words, phrases and sentences. After some cheerful sounds, we see streak increments: 622 days.
Later, Peter moves to the piano, and plays the first few chords of Misty. Then his fingers hesitate.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I could play all the chrods before the hectic workdays, but now...
Peter stops. He stares at his hands. As he grabs his smartphone aimlessly, he notices something.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, I've missed calls from the workplace secretariat...my business phone is still in silent mode...
Peter returns the call.
PETER (to phone):...at 2:00 pm or 2:30pm...let me come back to you in a minute.
Peter talks to his WIFE apologetically.
PETER: I've got an urgent assignment...
WIFE: Just go....I'll ask the maid to help me instead...
INT. CAR PARK - 13:30
In a three-piece black suit, Peter drives off in his SMART car.
PETER (V.O.) : A plan is what I make for the day. Character is what I salvage from the wreck of it.
MONTAGE OF PETER'S AFTERNOON WORK.
A. Peter waits, presents his paper and walks into the workplace.
B. Peter discusses matters with his CLIENT through an INTERPRETER.
C. A document signed before Peter bids farewell to his client.
END MONTAGE
EXT. CAFETERIA NEW BEACH - 15:45
The sun is lower, casting a golden haze over a bay. Peter walks to the water's edge, wearing simple swim briefs.
PETER (V.O.): As no lifeguard is on duty, I need to look after myself.
After walking in, Peter begins to swim with steady strokes.
.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The work tension and everything else all melts away in the cold water. I feel revitalized and completely in the moment.
Peter is a lone swimmer.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The cold water doesn't care about my schedule. It only reminds me that I can still feel.
INT. PETER'S NT HOME -16:30
Studio. Peter picks up a dusty black Epiphone electric guitar.
PETER (V.O.): A good instrument doesn't ask how long it's been in the case. It only asks to be played.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I wouldn't confuse the dust for the finish.
As Peter strums a chord, the sound crashes through the quiet house.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Still good... I mistakenly thought the old amplifier had lost its power.
A grin breaks across Peter's face - uncontrolled, boyish.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I spent my youth gathering dust on dreams. The grace of age lies in wiping it off to see what still shines.
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - 22:00
Peter uploads a photo capturing a serene beach scene with a bright sun shining over calm waters, framed by lush foliage and distant mountains to a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O.): Still good. Two words against the noise of the world. The quietest, most powerful rebuttal to doubt.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The final exam of a life well-lived is a simple question: Am I still good?
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And the answer, found in a cold swim or rusty chord, is a resonating yes.
The END
FADE OUT
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