The Page Never Closes
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- May 25
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - 23:57 (Yesterday)
Cosy but cluttered. Rubbing his eyes. PETER is staring at an unedited page on his laptop.
PETER (V.O.): I've yet to complete Act 2 of today's story.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): OMG, my gaze drafts; and the page blurs.
MONTAGE OF SIMILAR EXPERIENCES
A. Home. Night, April, 1971. Peter (16) struggles to concentrate on his secondary school text books.
B. Home. Night. April, 1973. Peter (18) finds it difficult to focus on his matriculation text books.
END MONTAGE
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Then, it was one more chapter to study; now, it's one more page to write.
Peter grabs a cold drink to refresh himself.
Act 2
INT. LIVING ROOM - 11:15
Peter wakes up with a satisfied expression.
PETER (V.O): Now, I feel well-rested.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): For the past few days, I've been waking up around 7am, but I still feel tired.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): It's because of the extra work involved in decluttering and moving items to my NT home; I feel like I need 25-26 hours in a day.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Today, I began my day at 7am, but somehow I dozed off around 9am and just woke up. It's worth noting.
Peter opens his e-diary on his smartphone.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, yesterday's diary was only half-finished.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Writing in my diary to conclude the day is another part of my routine, but I was so tired that I forgot and fell asleep right away.
Peter types on a page on screen.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Let me add that after letting go of five old TVs, I got the urge to transform my storage-like home back into a holiday retreat.
Typing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I llike to document significant events as they happen, so I don't have to rely on my memory later.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Tonight, my wife and I are going to see Masotoshi Nakamura's concert in Hong Kong. I can write about my anticipation this afternoon, or I could wait to reflect on it after the concert.
Peter opens the Duolingo app. .
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Meanwhile, let me earn my Duolingo streaks.
EXT. SWIMMING POOL - 15:30
Crowded.
PETER (V.O.): It reminds me why I prefer to do my daily swim in the sea. And today, there's a thunderstorm warning in effect.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I take the warning seriously, as two of my classmates from matriculation were struck by lightning in 1974, when we thought we had all the time in the world.
While swimming, Peter accidentally hit SOMEONE with his hand.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Sorry, I'm very sorry!
INT. LIVING ROOM - 17:00
Sitting on a sofa, Peter is in thoughts.
PETER (V.O.): I need about three hours to write a 2-3 minute read screenplay. I won't be able to finish it before we leave for the concert.
JNT. QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM - 20:00
Full house. Elderly AUDIENCE. Peter and his WIFE clap along with the audience to the music.
PETER (V.O.): I love the character Masatoshi Nakamura portrayed in the 1975 TV drama "Our Journey", as well as the theme songs he sang.
Later, we see and hear Masatoshi Nakamura say, "I'm an old man".
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): We're all getting older. He's been in the entertainment industry for over 50 years, while I haven't even started my journey yet.
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - 23:57
Peter inserts an image he captured near the end of Masatoshi Nakamura's concert in Hong Kong into a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O): Life unfolds on its own; I simply keep pace.
We can hear Masatoshi Nakamura singing in the background.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): In the land of dimsum and deadlines, the freshest words are served daily.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Creativity isn't about waiting for inspiration; it's about showing up. Today's story is tomorrow's memory.
FADE OUT
END
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