The Unafraid
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Jul 19, 2025
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - 08:00
Light filters through the curtains. PETER lies in bed, lost in thoughts.
PETER (V.O.): The Observatory anounces that a typhoon is approaching Hong Kong.
Peter looks out of the window.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Yet the weather now feels just like it did yesterday.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'd take advantage of the opportunity now to go swimming in the sea.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When the typhoon is near, it would be very risky to do that.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Adventure begins where fear ends. Magic resides on the other side of fear.
Act 2
EXT. CAR PARK, SILVERSTRAND - 09:15
Peter parks his red coupe under a shade. He checks the parking meter and feeds it with his Octopus card.
PETER (V.O.): Enough for a swim, a short rest on the floating platform and a shower.
Peter shoulders a simple bag and walks down to the beach.
EXT. SILVERSTRAND BEACH - CONTINUOUS
The beach and swimming area soon come into view.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Good, no red flag.
A few SWIMMERS dot the water.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Swimning pools are crowded.
After applying sunblock on his face, shoulders and chest, Peter wades into the water.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I love the refreshing coolness of the sea water; the pool water feels too warm for me.
EXT. OUTERMOST BUOY - CONTINUOUS
Peter treads water, catching his breath. Sunlight shafts through the clear water.
PETER (V.O.): Wow, I can see a small school of fish, each about 8 cm long, swimming about 180 com below the surface.
Then, Peter spots a small fish, roughly 2.5 cm long, with striking black and silver stripes, darting by close to him.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It swims alone, completely unafraid of my presence.
Peter observes the fish tiny fins flutter rapidly.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It doesn't flee. It seems curious.
Peter slowly extends a hand. The fish darts away and immediately returns. A smile spreads across Peter's face.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's searching for food; but I'm much too large for it to consider.
Peter continues to tread water.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Beauty is the silent communion between me and the tiny creature, existing together in harmony.
Encountering each other for a while.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The meter is ticking, and I must leave. Bye...
EXT. ROADS TO URBAN AREA - 10:30
The sky darkens rapidly. Peter is driving. Heavy raindrops begin to splatter on the windshield. Peter turns on the wipers.
PETER (V.O.): I'm grateful that I chose to swim in the sea first instead of focusing on maintaining my Duolingo streaks.
INT. LIVING ROOM - 11:00
The front door opens. Peter enters. His WIFE is enjoying a cup of tea.
WIFE: Where have you been the whole morning?
PETER: Went for a swim.
His wife's eyes narrow slightly. The scar on Peter's forehead seems more pronounced.
WIFE: I can see sand on your bag...Oh, you went swimming in the sea!
Peter looks defiant.
WIFE: Okay, I'm telling family members that, instead of swimming in the chlorinated pool as agreed, you've jumped the gun to swim in the sea, putting your stitched forehead at risk.
Peter sees notifications from family group chats, where immediate questions arise: Has your wound fully healed?... There's now a thunderstorm, what's up?...No, too dangerous...
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): A life lived solely within the bounds of imposed safety can be styfling, especially in later years.
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - 21:45
Peter uploads an AI drawing titled "The Unafraid..." to a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O.): The quiet magic of a moment with a wild creature can be more restorative than any chlorinated lane.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Beauty is what I pursue after a liftime of struggles, surviving unafraid of anything.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.): True well-being requires the freedom to seek personal solace and connection, even though it means navigating the complexities of concern from loved ones.
FADE OUT
END
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