Still Igniting
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Jun 4
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. LIVING ROOM - 19:45
Hurrying back, Peter asks the MAID who has put takeaway food on the table.
PETER: Where's my wife?
MAID: She's having a bath in the bathroom.
INT. BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS.
Peter opens the bathroom door slightly and speaks to his WIFE.
PETER: Darling, I meant to return earlier, but I need time to fix the old gas water heater.
WIFE: I saw the image you shared in the family chatgroup earlier...
PETER: Yes, I was so happy to see a sudden jet of flame erupting inside the heater!
PETER (V.O): What is built to last, lasts. It hasn't lost its spark - it has been waiting for gas.
Act 2
FLASHBACK
EXT. PETER'S NT HOME - 14:00 (Earlier today)
.
A weather-beaten house stands with scaffording clinging to its facade. WORKERS are cleaning the exterior wall in preparation of repainting. Gas SERVICEMAN#1 approaches Peter.
SERVICEMAN#1: Reconnection can only occur after an internal 1994 pipe is replaced. Please visit the office to settle the payment first.
From 2/F veranda, the CONTRACTOR has eye contact with Peter.
PETER: I need to keep the gas connection tasks moving forward. When I return, I'll settle the down payment.
FLASHBACK UPON FLASHBACK
INT. KITCHEN - DAY (Last Week)
The contractor and his ASSISTANT have completed the installation of the false ceilling.
CONTRACTOR: Mr Cheung, the exhaust fan doesn't work. Do you want to replace it?
PETER (V.O): I want to restore functionality to what isn't working.
PETER: Yes...but I don't cook here and I don't mind taking cold baths. The gas connection was cut years ago due to a gas leak.
Pausing.
PETER (Cont'd): I'm considering getting rid of the gas cooker here and the gas water heater in the 1/F bathroom, as well as the external pipings.
Pausing.
PETER (Cont'd): Switching to electric is an option.
CONTRACTOR: Electric has its drawback too. Cooks prefer visual frames. Let me arrange to fix the gas leakage for you.
END FLASHBACK UPON FLASHBACK
INT. KITCHEN - 16:45
Peter strides into the kitchen. He notices a detached pipe from 1994 and a new pipe, valid until 2026, connected to an old cooker.
PETER (V.O): There're no more gas leaks.
Peter turns a burner knob - silence. No hiss, no flame. He goes up to the 1/F bathroom to check the gas water heater, the same.
PETER (V.O) Cont'd): Paid a fortune for this reconnection...
Peter pulls out his smartphone and dials. Soon, gas SERVICEMAN#2 arrives and goes to the backyard to twist the main valve open.
PETER (V.O) Cont'd): I see.
Serviceman#2 soon joins Peter in the kitchen.
SERVICEMAN#2: Let's try the twin cooker.
As serviceman#2 turns the burner knob, a blue flame roars to life in one of the burners. After reseating the other burner, he ignites it and another blue flame burst to life.
PETER: That's good! Let's try out the gas water heater in the bathroom on 1/F.
INT. BATHROOM, 1/F, 17:15
A boxy gas water heater hangs on the wall.
SERVICEMAN#2: Never seen such a dinoseur.
PETER: It's push-button ignition. I'll show you.
Peter clicks. No flame. Peter presses again. Silence.
SERVICEMAN#2: Gas might not have reached the line yet. Air in the pipes...you may have to click for a long time.
As serviceman#2 leaves, we continue to hear the persistent clicking sounds.
RETURN TO PRESENT
Act 3
INT. LIVING ROOM - 21:15
Peter adds an image of a 1983 gas water heater that is still igniting and functioning to a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O): Some flames don't fade; they wait. Not every fire roars. Some just...persist.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O) Cont'd): Joy isn't a bonfire. It's the click-whoosh when old things wake.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): It's never too late to reignite what matters.
FADE OUT
END
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