"The Kiss"
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Jul 12, 2023
- 2 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - 08:30
Unwrapping a bag, PETER takes out a black T-shirt with Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss" printed on it.
PETER (V.O.): I bought it in Vienna the last time my family was touring there...Oh, that was in 2005.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Travelling to a place, I'd buy a T-shirt if the design appeals to my eyes.
Checking "The Kiss".
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The other day I mentioned Gustav Klimt's "Lady with a Fan" to my wife, she recalled "The Kiss".
Wearing the T-shirt.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've a white one too. I bought it in 1989, when I first visited Austria. I felt the couple's love and intimacy in a golden decorative background.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Then, I didn't know the work was called "The Kiss".
Act 2
EXT. PEDESTRIAN FLYOVER, CENTRAL - 10:00
Not busy. While walking towards Admiralty, Peter has eye contact with a GENTLEMAN walking in the opposite direction.
PETER (V.O.): He's gazing at "The Kiss" on my T-shirt.
The gentleman then looks away. And they continue their separate ways.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I know who he's. But he might not know who I'm.
FLASHBACK
EXT. CUHK - DAY (1976)
Peter (22) is listening to a chat between VIVIEN and SHARON.
PETER: Who are you talking about?
SHARON: About a smart senior in another department.
Then, they see a SENIOR appearing in a distance.
VIVIEN: That's him!
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Actually, our background doesn't matter. It's "The Kiss" that powerfully connected us briefly.
EXT. REPULSE BAY - 11:30
From the bay water, Peter climbs up to a floating platform and then lies flat on it.
PETER (V.O.): I feel the hot kiss of the sun.
Later, Peter returns to the beach.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): OMG, the scorching sand is burning my feet!
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The Hong Kong summer is showing off, hotter than any kiss on earth.
INT. TIM HO WAN, CENTRAL - 13:30
Peter is serving his WIFE with dim sum.
PETER (V.O.): I enjoy having lunch with my wife, if we can make it.
Eating.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): We've married for nearly 30 years.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I always remember an extract from D H Lawrence's work "Sons & Lovers".
We read Peter's photographic memory: For the first six months, they were very happy; in the second six they were fairly happy. After a year, he wept to himself secretly, at night, and felt he was going mad. For the next year they were rather unhappy...
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Research suggests that the initial "honey moon phase" of a romantic relationship typically lasts from six months to two years.
Peter serves a shrimp dumpling and a meat dumpling to his wife.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): It's natural that the intensity of passionate feelings tends to decrease.
Finishing the meal.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): But that doesn't mean that the love itself has to fade.
Having checked the time, Peter pays and they leave.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): With good respect, trust and communication, a lasting love isn't impossible.
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - 23:00
Peter selects an AI drawing from a portfolio in his smartphone.
PETER (V.O.): This is my AI cubistic version of "The Kiss"! Gustav Klimt couldn't have imagined that the machine and I can create the work in seconds.
Smiling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): "The Kiss" is what binds two souls in seconds, at least initially.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): "The Kiss", like happiness, must be shared to be enjoyable.
FADE OUT
THE END
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