Tea Set for One
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- May 9
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
EXT. SILVERSTRAND BAY - 14:40
Calm water. PETER emerges from the sea. He stands still for a moment.
PETER (V.O.): I'm really hungry and I want to eat stir-fried rice noodles, but my favourite eating places have been closing one by one.
Peter walks up to the shower room.
INT. CHA CHAAN TENG - 15:15
Peter sits at a small table, scrolling through the tea set menu on his phone.
PETER (V.O.): It has stir-fried noodles.
Peter adds it to cart.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): As to the tea option...oh, it has almond tea!
He adds it to cart without hesitation. Soon, the plate of noodles arrives, followed by a cup of almond tea.
Act 2
FLASHBACK
INT. FAMILY HOME, CENTRAL - NIGHT (1959)
Warm yellow light from a single bulb. Peter (5) sits on a wooden stool, swinging his legs and watching his THIRD AUNT (20, vibrant, wearing a floral apron tied twice around her waist).
On the floor is a small stone mill. It's made of grey granite and a wooden handle. Third Aunt pours a handful of almonds onto the stone mill's lower basin. She begins to turn the wooden handle.
We hear a low, rhythmic sound. Stone against stone. Almonds cracking, surrendering. Third Aunt's arm moves in a small circle.
PETER (V.O.): It's not easy work.
Third Aunt adds a tiny splash of water.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The grinding sound changes.
We hear thicker and smoother sounds.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I can smell the distinct aroma.
Peter closes his eyes. Inhales. Third Aunt stops grinding. She scrapes the pale, wet almond paste from the mill into a small clay pot. Adds water. Stirring with a wooden spoon over a low flame.
We see and hear a gentle bubble. She strains the liquid through a fine cloth.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, what remains is milky, smooth.
Third Aunt pours it into a tiny tea cup.
THIRD AUNT: Would you like to try it?
Peter nods and takes the cup with both hands. Sips. His eyes go wide.
PETER: It tastes like...hugging.
Third Aunt laughs. She pinches Peter's cheeks.
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I remember this moment for over 66 years.
He brinks. Stares at the big cup of almond tea in front of him. He lifts the cup.
He doesn't drink yet.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I feel the warmth through the stainless steel.
Sighing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Third Aunt passed away last Nov, rather suddenly.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The last time I saw her was at a family party at Hong Kong Disneyland last Sept. She was wearing a Minnie Mouse headband and looked cheerful as always.
He finally drinks. A long sip.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Same...exactly the same.
EXT. RIVERSIDE PARK - 19:30
Peter and his WIFE are walking KAJI, the family pet.
PETER: I want to arrange a family gathering on Mother's Day...
WIFE: Sure.
Peter calls a restaurant and makes a reservation.
PETER: We're going to pick up my Mom a little before time.
Peter takes a deep breath.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): We don't know if Mom will recognize us. But we're going to be with her anyway.
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - 22:30
Peter uploads an image to a draft on his laptop. It depicts a tea set for one consisting of a stainless steel cup filled with creamy white almond tea, paired alongside a plate of stir-fried rice noodles.
PETER (V.O.):The best conversations happen over tea set for one. No one interrupts. No one leaves early.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I don't eat alone. I drink with my five-year old self. My third aunt, and a mother who may not speak my name.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Tea set for one. Heart set for many.
The END
FADE OUT
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