The Checklist
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Jun 27
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. LIVING ROOM - 11:30
PETER completes his daily Duolingo streaks, diligently checking off each lesson in seven languages.
PETER (V.O.): My wife and I are excited to welcome our son and his girlfriend back from Sydney at the Airport tonight.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): They'll only stay for nine nights. During that time, our son will visit Hiroshima for some fun, while his girlfriend will travel to Shanghai to see her Dad, who's working there.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I understand our son's needs and have a mental checklist to address them.
Peter talks to his WIFE as she directs the MAID.
PETER: You prepare our son's bedroom while I head to Fatboy's garage to pick up the Mercedes.
Act 2
INT. PRIORITY BANKING - 12:45
Counter. Having withdrawn JPN and AUD, Peter carefully folds the notes into an envelope.
PETER (V.O.): JPN for Hiroshima, AUD for Sydney flight school.
INT. FATBOY'S GARAGE
Having inspected the Mercedes AC vents, Peter pays at the cashier.
PETER (V.O.): When my son is in Hong Kong, he drives the Mercedes. Days ago, I checked that the car's airconditioning malfunctioned, but now the car is ready for him.
INT. SON'S BEDROOM - 16:30
Peter slips the envelope of cash beneath the pillows.
PETER (V.O.): My son resigned from his job as an Australian doctor a month ago. He aims to obtain a private pilot licence before joining the HA in HK later this year.
INT. LIVING ROOM - 17:00
Peter checks flight status.
PETER (V.O.): Their plane is set to land at 21:19.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, our son will need a Japanese SIM card....Let me ask my wife to do it.
Having texted his wife, Peter plays the piano.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Playing the piano is like waiting for a melody, each notes echoes the anticipation of our son's return, filling the space with hope and warmth.
Later, Peter's wife returns, holding a diploma and beaming with pride.
WIFE: I've bought the SIM card...read the details of my diploma in Introductory Korean.
PETER: ...passed with Distinction!
PETER (V.O.): I failed in the first part of Introductory Korean and couldn't continue learning alongside my wife.
WIFE: Yes!
PETER (V.O.): Our son earned his medical degrees with distinctions as well.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The only distinctions I earned were for my thesis on Perception & Truth in 1981 and an exam in Land Valuation in 1982.
WIFE (Cont'd): Their plane is scheuled to land at 21:19. Let us set off early.
PETER (V.O.): Like me, my wife has also checked the flight status.
INT. HK AIRPORT - 22:00
Arrival hall A. Peter and his wife greet their SON and his GIRLFRIEND. Among the luggage are a violin and a guitar.
PETER (V.O.): During his first year studying medicine in Sydney, he found it stressful and often felt quite alone.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I encouraged him to bring the musical instruments to Sydney so that he could play and relax.
Smiling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm so glad that he has a steady girlfriend who will graduate from medical school in just a few months.
Peter talks to his son.
PETER: Was there any issue departing Sydney with the non-standard size items?
SON: No, everything was fine except for the jumpstarter set you gave me last time, just in case I couldn't restart my car after being away for a month.
Pausing.
SON (Cont'd): It was okay when I carried it to Sydney, but on the way back, the security confiscated the charging cables.
Act 3
INT. LIVING ROOM - 23:15
Peter adds an AI drawing titled "The Checklist..." to a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O.): A father's love is shown through every car matter, and the cash he provides, always ready to lend a hand when needed.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I built my children wings, then spent a lifetime pretending not to watch them fly away.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): They say nothing last forever, but they've never met a parent.
FADE OUT
END
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