The Best is Yet to Come
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Dec 20, 2023
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. STUDIO - 19:00
Deep in thought, PETER's gaze is fixed on a laptop screen.
PETER (V.O): In composing my new song about fleeting time, I question if the best is yet to come.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I know the cliche encourages optimism and hope for the future.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): During challenging times, it provides comfort and serves as the driving force to achieve.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): But how convincing is the idealistic saying in contexts?
Act 2
FLASHBACK
EXT. STREET - 09:45 (Today)
Walking towards a car repair shop, Peter checks the balance shown on his mobile's HKJC App.
PETER (V.O.): No change. I've missed the Mark Six jackpot again.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I won the 3rd prize twice, first in 2005 and then in 2021. If the best is yet to come, when? I've hefty bills to pay.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): For conventional car repairing business, it can't be that the best is yet to come.
INT. CAR-TESTING CENTRE - 10:30
Waiting area. Peter is sipping a cup of expresso.
PETER (V.O.): It's my fifth time here in days. Two cars passed the tests. Another two failed. A failed one is being re-tested.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): For it to pass the test after extensive repair is just okay.
INT. CAR PARK - 11:45
Crouching down beside a 2001 New Beetle's wheels with wheel caps in hand, Peter uses his hand to hammer them into places one by one.
PETER (V.O.): Oh dear, my back strain which was gone has come back again.
INT. STUDY - 12:00
As he checks emails in his mobile, Peter sees more festive greetings.
PETER (V.O.): I'm going to reciprocate with AI drawings.
Prompting an AI drawing bot and seeing drawings generated in his mobile, Peter doesn't look satisfied.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Is the best yet to come?
As he prompts the bot again, Peter sees a message: Stopped responding.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I'll try other AI drawing bots then.
Soon, Peter sees on screen: Due to limited capacity...you have 0 free message left...
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): But I won't subscribe to any AI drawing bots, as there's no certainty that the best is yet to come.
INT. RESTAURANT - 14: 45
Having finished his tea set, Peter reads an email.
PETER (V.O.): It's from my good friend Hao. He was my last business lunch guest while I was with Govt.
We follow Peter to read:...your song is really catchy and full of positive energy...
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): That's very encouraging... but I couldn't perform it live for him...and I don't go to overseas conferences anymore.
Responding to the email, Peter selects and inserts an AI drawing from his mobile.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): This is how I may look like...would it be the best to come?
INT. STUDY - 15:30
Relaxing on a sofa, Peter is watching a movie via YouTube.
PETER (V.O.): The movie title is "The Best is Yet to Come". Another good friend recommended me to watch it.
Watching.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): But the female actress' parts don't enhance the depth or complexity of the plot.
RETURN TO PRESENT
Act 3
INT. STUDIO - CONTINUOUS
Peter checks the many AI drawings in his mobile.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When faced with challenges, I seek solutions to resolve them.
Selecting the one he sent to Hao earlier, Peter inserts it into a draft.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): It's the best one at present. Embracing AI, I find joy in my artistic endeavour.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): To experience life's best, I've got to live each day believing that the best is yet to come!
FADE OUT
THE END
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