This House Will Outlive Me
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - 06:15
Waking up, PETER checks the time.
PETER (V.O.): I meant to leave by 7:30.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I must be very excited to see the installation of a new air conditioner and a new false ceiling in my NT home.
Grabbing his smartphone, Peter opens the Duollingo app.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Since I'll be busy with household chores, I should take the time to earn some Duolingo streaks first.
EXT. GOLDEN BAY - 08:30
Peter checks the notice stating lifeguard services begin at 9am.
PETER (V.O.): By that time, I should be on my way back to my NT home...Let me play safe.
Act 2
INT. PETER'S NT HOME - 09:45
Front yard. Peter greets a TRADESMAN and his ASSISTANT as they arrive with a window air-conditioner.
TRADESMAN: Today, I asked my female assistant to join me.
PETER (V.O): Last Friday, he came to check a couple of sockets and fix a staircase light on his own.
When I asked about his male assistant, he mentioned that he has started his own business.
Peter nods.
TRADESMAN: Could you please move the piano located just below the air-conditioning slot? I'm worried that it might get damaged.
Pausing.
PETER: Now that I'm older, there's no way I can move it. Let me find some protective padding to place on it instead.
Quickly, Peter drapes a carpet over the Yamaha piano for protection.
PETER (V.O.): Sharon played it, and now it has beccome my favourite.
Later, Peter notices something's wrong.
TRADESMAN: My assistant has cut her hand. Do you have band-aid?
PETER: Yes!
Peter passes a packet of band-aid to the Assistant.
ASSISTANT: The air conditioner has several sharp edges.
PETER (V.O.): And you're not wearing any protective gloves.
Later, we hear a woman's voice calling out for Mr Cheung from outside.
PETER: Yes! Yes! Coming
Rushing outside, Peter spots his GARDENER.
GARDENER: You don't return often. So I seize the opportunity to show you something.
Peter follows the gardener to the backyard where she points out the sagging roof.
PETER: I can see a crack.
GARDENER: Small bits of concrete have fallen. I'm worried I might get hurt if the sagging parts callapse on me.
Peter nods in complete understanding.
GARDENER: You may like to bring it down safely for now before a complete repair.
Later, Peter grabs a broom, heads up to the penthouse, opens a window, and uses the broom to knock down the loose concrete.
PETER (V.O.): That's what I can do for now.
MONTAGE OF WHAT HAPPENS AFTERWARDS
A. Kitchen. The tradesman and his assistant are busy in installing the false ceiling.
B. Penthhouse. Peter is arranging items and creating a tidy, inviting space.
C. Terrace. Peter and the tradesman are discussing about renovating the exterior of his house, with a particular focus on the sagging roof.
END MONTAGE
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Anything money can solve isn't a concern.
Sitting room G/F. Gazing at the image of his late wife.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In response to a call from the hospital, Sharon left this house in August 1992 and never returned.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): This house will outlive me, too.
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - 22:15
Peter inserts an image of his house into a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O): Houses sag like old men; but that doesn't mean their lives are over.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O) Cont'd): Every crack tells a story, and I welcome its meaning.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Let the house outlive me. Let it forget me. Just...let it stand.
FADE OUT
END
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