The Ledger
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Apr 22
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - 10:00
PETER scrolls through Facebook on his smartphone. He taps a video clip with the caption: "Heartbroken mama dog cries as her last baby is sold."
PETER (V.O.): Oh, what a poignant moment.
Peter is capitulated.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The mama dog licks her puppy, reluctant to let go and whines in distress.
In the next scene, the mama dog cries like a human at home as her owner gently pets her head.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): A dog's feelings is no different from those of a mother.
Peter's fingers hover over the screen.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The mama dog's sorrow echoes in my chest.
Peter rewatches the video clips, then retreats.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): A dog's love is always unconditional.
Act 2
INT. RESTAURANT - 15:00
Sipping Red Bean Ice, Peter taps a WhatsApp notification.
PETER (V.O.): Yesterday, I broke the ice, and later, I was included in a Sept trip to Osaka.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My wife got complimentary round-trip tickets to Osaka as part of a promotion at the Hong Kong Airport.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): We thought of going to Osaka to visit the Expo 2025 and would fix the dates after our March trip.
Peter sees a financial record.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): However, our trip in March revealed some underlying issues in our relationship.
Peter studies the relevant figure: HK$851.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, my wife has paid the incidental taxes and charges for me.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Since marriage, I've been paying a significant amount each month to my wife for household expenses.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've suspended that weeks ago as DeepSeek advised me not to enable and reward emotional blackmail.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I won't settle the small amount now as I anticipate more bills coming in soon.
INT. STUDIO - 20:00
Rising from the piano bench, Peter glances at a photo on WhatsApp.
PETER (V.O.): A brother has visited our mother in the elderly home today.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When we're young, our mother ruled the household.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): She scolded us for asking about school fees. She scolded our Dad for his meagre wages.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): So, we all worked very hard while studying.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And having a well-paid job, I've given her a substantial amount of money, as that was what she desired.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): As she spent very little, she has accumulated a significant amount in her bank accounts.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Now, she can't remember not only her wealth but also us.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I echo a brother's remark, questioning why she had to be so unkind to us when we needed her financial support.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I always admire those who are raised in a loving but financially struggling family.
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - 22:30
Peter inserts an AI drawing titled: "The Ledger..." to a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O): The ledger can be financial records or the unspoken balance of love - or the absence of it.
While checking WhatsApp message, he notices another bill for his share of the March trip's hosting expenses.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): The bill always comes due - for care, for loyalty, or for the costs of living or travelling together.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): What remains when memory fades, money diminishes, and love is conditional?
FADE OUT
END
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