The One-hour Myth
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Oct 31, 2023
- 2 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. STUDY - 08:45
We see PETER putting swimming gears into a red bag.
PETER (V.O.): I'll take my wife's car lift to Central, then take a bus to St Stephens' Bay.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I should have about an hour's time to swim and enjoy myself at the beach before re-joining my wife for lunch.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): And it'd take about an hour travelling by bus from Stanley to our favourite dim-sum restaurant in Central.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): On the last occasion, I was late to meet up with my wife as there was a traffic jam at the Aberdeen tunnel.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Yes, I'll leave Stanley early today.
Act 2
EXT. ROADS TO CENTRAL - 09:30
Sitting in the passenger seat, Peter sees a traffic jam ahead.
PETER: Oh dear! Cars aren't moving! You've to go back to work.
Having heard a car radio traffic announcement, Peter's WIFE presses the hazard light button.
WIFE: You drive. I'd better take the MTR. There's a station nearby.
As his wife quits the driver seat, Peter takes over, as DRIVERS of cars behind look on.
PETER (V.O.): If I didn't accompany my wife, she won't have an alternative.
.
Exhaling a deep breath.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I won't be able to swim in St Stephen's Bay this morning.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): That's fine. I can avoid the traffic jam and go elsewhere.
EXT. SILVERSTRAND BAY - 10:30
Lying flat on a round platform floating in the bay, Peter is in thoughts.
PETER (V.O.): When I first heard about the idea of a "one-hour living circle", I was impressed. I visualized people travelling here and there within an hour.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Yesterday, I drove back to my NT home. The door-to-door time needed was already an hour.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): If the lifestyle is seamless, efficient and non-costly, I'd go more often.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Last Thursday, I had a meeting in Guangzhou...
MONTAGE OF PETER'S ONE-HOUR LIVING CIRCLE EXPERIENCE
A. 06.45. Peter gets up with the help of an alarm.
B. 07.45. On board a coach, Peter's is on his way from Kowloon Tong to Guangzhou.
C. 11:00. Peter attends a meeting in Guangzhou.
D. 15:15. Some PARTICIPANTS leave to catch a scheduled high-speed train.
E. 16:45. On board the coach, Peter's is on his way from Guangzhou back to Hong Kong.
F. 18:45. Peter arrives home, looking tired.
END MONTAGE
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): The practical reality reveals the one-hour myth.
DAYDREAMING SEQUENCE
A. Peter's flying car, with vertical take off and landing capabilities, is about to ascend into the air.
B. Navigating through the skies, Peter sees air traffic congestions here and there...
END DAYDREAMING SEQUENCE
Suddenly, we hear a beach announcement.
ANNOUNCER (V.O.): Recently, jellyfish are spotted in the area. Swimmers, please be alert.
PETER (V.O.): OMG! Even in moments of leisure, there can be hazards.
Act 3
INT. STUDY - 22:30
Checking the time, Peter continues to work before his laptop.
PETER (V.O.): The current limitations of transportation systems here and there necessitate more innovative and sustainable solutions.
Typing natural language in his smartphone, Peter instructs his 文心一言 assistant.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): See if she can depict "the one-hour living circle".
Within seconds, we see a colourful AI drawing appearing. Peter looks pleased.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Understanding the true capabilities of concepts enables me to evaluate my expectations critically.
FADE OUT
THE END
Comments