The Red Bird Sundial
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- May 20, 2022
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. STUDY - 10:30
Smart phone in hand, PETER checks an answer request from Quora: What are the best skills to develop even if they take time?
PETER (V.O.): Creative/innovative skills, including the ability to see unknowns as opportunities.
Peter types his answer.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Like a blind date with knowledge, to be creative/innovative requires lots of intellectual effort and time.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I was young, I thought I had all the time in the world. Gradually, life has taught me to make good use of time.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): How we spend our time actually defines who we're.
Act 2
EXT. SILVERSTRAND BEACH - 12:30
Peter swims towards one of the floating platforms.
PETER (V.O.): I'm so pleased that I'm here again, twice in a row.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Today's also my first time choosing to enjoy myself first before transacting a more important matter.
INT. HKUST, CLEAR WATER BAY - 13:00
Car park. Served by several STAFF, Peter parks his car in a lot.
PETER (V.O.): I'm an hour and a half early. But they're already waiting here. Would time be too slow for them?
Peter focuses on a sculpture which is mounted on a paved podium of broad steps in the centre of a pool of flowing water.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Sundial is humans' earliest invention. Here, the Red Bird Sundial, has become HKUST's icon.
Walking around the Red Bird Sundial, Peter captures images from different angles.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The flowing water here symbolises the passage of time.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Is the Red Bird Sundial functionally accurate?
Seeing a shadow cast by a bar at a quarter past one, Peter checks the time on his phone screen.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Precision aside, telling time using the sun's ray and shadow is aesthetic.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But the Red Bird Sundial can't tell time when there's no sunshine.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Similarly, human's talents can't be used if there isn't the opportunity.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): When one has reached a career bottleneck, one needs patience and time.
Council chambers. A COLLEAGUE greets Peter.
COLLEAGUE: You've had your birthday days ago, right?
PETER: Yes, thank you again for sending me your birthday wishes! I've turned 68 now.
COLLEAGUE: Aged 68? You're still full of vitality!
PETER (V.O.): Yes, it's the life in my years that counts.
SEQUENCE OF PETER'S OTHER BUSINESSES
A. The COUNCIL transacts its business. Peter makes a remark.
B. Having transacted all the businesses, the Council invites a LADY to join and make her remarks.
C. Later, at a foyer, Peter joins photo sessions with the Lady.
END SEQUENCE
INT. ESTATE CAR PARK - 16:30
Having parked the car, Peter checks a What'sApp message and sees an image of an iPad Mini.
PETER (V.O.): Oh, I don't even know I've left it inside the Council Chambers. We've just had a joyful occasion.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): The fact is that I don't usually remember everything these days.
Peter types his reply: I'll collect it at the next meeting...
Act 3
INT. STUDY - 18:00
Surfing the web, Peter reads something.
PETER (V.O.): Confucius says: An inch of time on the sundial is worth more than a foot of jade.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Time shows us what really matters. It's humans' only true capital. When shall we live if not now?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Our talents are made for use so that we can evolve better - that's my interpretation of the cosmic design.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And opportunities may even knock at one's door.
Peter checks an image depicting him and the Lady.
THE END
FADE OUT
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