The Emotional Option
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Sep 14
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - 06:15
The room is dim, lit by the soft, grey-blue light of early morning. PETER stirs. His eyes are awake, alive with a specific anticipation. He picks up his phone and gazes at a picture of a silver Previa.
PETER (V.O.): It's a car, quite a newborn though.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): After a heart transplant, I picked up the car from the repair shop yesterday evening. I haven't tested it yet.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I should be able to receive the official paperwork for the new engine number registration later today.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Never understimate the resilience of something that is loved.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I don't choose the emotional option because it's easy. I choose it because it's true to who I'm, and who I've been.
Act 2
MONTAGE (A fortnight ago)
A. The Previa, dead on the mall car park. Peter's WIFE on the phone, looking stressed.
B. The tow truck hooking the Previa up, a sad and undignified process.
C. A MECHANIC's grim face in a repair shop. "Water in the oil. Not good. New engine or scrap her".
END MONTAGE
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I was faced with a choice: the burden of upkeep for the emotional option, or the weight of regret for the practical one.
MONTAGE - 2000
A. Peter (46) and his pregnant wife in a Toyota showroom, looking at a shiny Previa. They pat the passenger seats smilingly.
B. The Previa is packed to the brim. Peter is behind the wheel, with his wife in the passenger seat and two Maltese on her laps. Their two SONS and eldest DAUGHTER occupy the middle seats, while two MAIDS and their NEWBORN settle at the back.
END MONTAGE
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The newborn has grown into a young pretty woman studying art in Japan.
INT. LIVING ROOM - 14:00
A new vehicle registration certificate in hand, Peter's eyes scan the line: Engine Number.
PETER (V.O.): My old Previa has a new lease on life.
Peter's wife speaks to him smilingly.
WIFE: I wasn't able to hire a car in Rishiri, but our daughter in Japan has called a car rental and booked one for us!
PETER: Very much looking forward to our trip to Wakkanai days later.
EXT. ROADS TO SILVERSTRAND - 14:45
The Previa purrs along the roads. Peter drives and glances at the rearview mirror.
PETER (V.O.): I see empty seats now as my family has grown. All my children can dirve, and one can even fly.
EXT. SILVERSTRAND BEACH CAR PARK - 15:00
Peter gets out of the car. He takes out his phone, opens the camera and takes a picture of his Previa.
PETER (V.O.): My Previa lives. I've saved a car and a piece of all of my family.
EXT. SILVERSTRAND BAY - 15:30
Sunny. Peter is treading water at the edge of the buoy line in the swimming area.
PETER (V.O.): Swimming is my way of staying healthy; well-being is something that can't be bought.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The emotional option asks not "what is it worth?", but "what is it worth to me?" This is a question that defines a life.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Others will see the price I paid for the emotional option. Only I'll ever know the value I received.
Peter swims back to the shore using butterfly stoke.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But this tme, I feel extremely tired.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh yes, I didn't get enough sleep; I was too excited to have my Previa home.
INT BEDROOM - 18:00
Peter's wife appears, not knowing Peter is having a nap.
WIFE: Dinner at 7pm...you look really tired. Are you okay?
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - 21:00
Peter uploads an image, depicting his 2000 Previa parked at Silverstrand to a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O.): The emotional opton is a quiet act of rebellion in a world that screams "new". It costs more in money and effort, but it pays a dividend in soul.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The most rational choice can leave me empty while the emotional one, though harder, fills that void.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Logic builds a life that works. Emotion builds a life that matters.
FADE OUT
END
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