The Selmer and the Redmi

1. FADE IN

2. 
   

3. Act 1

4. 
   

5. INT. BEDROOM - 7:45

6. 
   

7. The room is dim, lit by the hints of morning. PETER sits up in bed.

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9. PETER (V.O.): I need to return to my chambers today to pay the rent and to collect some documents.

10. 
    

11. Peter grabs his smartphone by the bedside.

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13. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I must get an early start to complete two out of my three daily routines.

14. 
    

15. Peter opens the Duolingo app - the cheerful, familiar tune plays softly.

16. 
    

17. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): After maintaining my streaks in seven languages, I'd drive to Silverstrand Bay for a swim.

18. 
    

19. EXT. SILVERSTRAND BAY - 12:45

20. 
    

21. The sky is overcast. A red flag flies stiffly in the wind. In his swimming briefs, Peter wades into the water.

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23. PETER (V.O.): Despite the crashing waves, I'm confident I can reach the rocking and rolling floatiing platforms.

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25. Against the immense power of the sea, Peter swims with a practiced crawl, pushing forward little by by little.

26. 
    

27. Act 2

28. 
    

29. INT. DINING ROOM - 14:15

31. Peter is enjoying a box of Baked Chicken Rice Portuguese Style. He takes a sip of Ice Lemon Water.

32. 
    

33. PETER (V.O.) :The lunch set is my favourite - my reward for completing two of my daily routines.

34. 
    

35. INT. LIVING ROOM - 15:30

36. 
    

37. Financial statements and tax charge sheets are spread out. Peter writes a cheque.

38. 
    

39. PETER (V.O.): Rent for chambers today...need to prepare for a conference and a hearing.

40. 
    

41. INT. MTR TRAIN - 16:15

42. 
    

43. In a priority seat, Peter intently focuses on his smartphone screen.

44. 
    

45. PETER (V.O.): Apart from the particulars, I need to relearn the concept and structure...

46. 
    

47. The world around him - the chatter, the stops, the announcements - fades into nothing.

48. 
    

49. INT. CHAMBERS - 17:00

51. Reception. Peter passes his cheque to one of the SECRETARIES.

52. 
    

53. PETER (V.O.): In terms of my year of call, I've become the most senior member of the chambers. When should I consider retiring from private practice?

54. 
    

55. Peter collects a fresh stack of papers, and leaves.

56. 
    

57. EXT. VICTORIA HARBOUR - 18:00

58. 
    

59. Majestic skyline. Peter's attention is on the water, where several giant, inflated cartoon characters bob gently. A massive Doraemon, a Lambubu and others.

60. 
    

61. PETER (V.O.): My wife paid to watch them yesterday while I returned to my home in NT.

63. Peter moves with purpose, his smartphone in hand.

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65. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): She assumed I wouldn't be interested, but now that I'm in the area, I couldn't resist coming - fearing I might miss out.

66. 
    

67. Peter frames shots, angling for the perfect picture of the surreal floating figures against the serious architecture.

68. 
    

69. INT. TOM LEE MUSIC - 18:15

70. 
    

71. Peter stands before the window. His eyes are locked on a gleaming Selmer Saxophone displayed on a stand.

72. 
    

73. PETER (V.O.): Last Saturday night, Legislator Lo mentioned that Selmer makes the best saxophones.

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75. Recalling.

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77. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And he also said that it's possible for a beginner to play a song on the saxophone after just a few months of practice.

78. 
    

79. Peter captures an image of the Selmer.

80. 
    

81. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I don't just window-shop for objects; I window-shop for other versions of myself. The Selmer is the self that plays jazz in a club, not the one who does legal research on the MTR.

82. 
    

83. Peter leaves.

84. 
    

85. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): A Selmer saxophone behind glass represents a beautiful yet safe tragedy. I can admire the dream without confronting the hard work and potential setbacks that come with pursuing it.

86. 
    

87. EXT. GLOUSTER ROAD, 18:30

88. 
    

89. Peter stops at a car showroom. His gaze falls upon the sleek, futuristic form of the MG Cyberster electric roadster.

90. 
    

91. PETER (V.O.): I haven't had a car with scissor doors yet...a dream, but just a dream.

92. 
    

93. Peter captures a photo of the roadster and leaves.

94. 
    

95. INT. REMI STORE - 19:30

96. 
    

97. At a counter, Peter pays for a Remi Pad 2, the transaction quick and unceremonious.

98. 
    

99. PETER (V.O.): I've never had a pad with four speakers, until now. And it's cheap.

100. 
     

101. Act 3

102. 
     

103. INT. BEDROOM -22:30

104. 
     

105. Peter uploads an image of a Selmer saxophone on display to a draft on his laptop.

106. 
     

107. PETER (V.O.): The Selmer is the question. The Redmi is the answer. And maturity is being at peace with the fact that the answer is rarely as beautiful as the question.

108. 
     

109. Thinking.

110. 
     

111. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd):  Let the Selmer be my poetry, and the Redmi be my prose. A life needs both to complete, but it's the prose that I live out my day.

112. 
     

113. Reflecting.

114. 
     

115. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The Redmi isn't a compromise; it's a declaration. A declaration that what I need is more important than what I'm supposed to want.

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117. FADE OUT

118. 
     

119. END