Three Little Words

1. FADE IN.

2. 
   

3. Act 1

4. 
   

5. INT - SLEEPING ROOM - DAY

6. 
   

7. Waking up, PETER checks his phone.

8. 
   

9. PETER (V.O.): Here's a challenge from a Quora questioner: How would I describe every decade of my life in three words each?

10. 
    

11. Pausing.

12. 
    

13. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I believe I achieved a lot in a decade. To summarize 10 years of my past information in three words, I've to reduce the particulars into structural parts and conceptualize them into concise and precise words.

14. 
    

15. Pausing.

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17. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Even so, there'd be many word choices. I've to be very selective in the screening process.

18. 
    

19. Pausing.

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21. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): To simplify complicated and complex matters is hard. It requires the engagement of intensive intellectual activities.

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23. Pausing.

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25. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I love that.

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27. Pausing.

28. 
    

29. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Should I just use these three little words?

30. 
    

31. Act 2

32. 
    

33. INT. STUDY - DAY

34. 
    

35. Thinking.

36. 
    

37. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I shouldn't use words that are only significant to me. Eg, in the 1980s, my late wife and I had great motoring in UK. If I just use the word UK, it's doesn't mean much to readers.

38. 
    

39. Thinking.

40. 
    

41. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And how should I categorize my decades of life? Using the years 1950s-1960s to tell a bit of the background of my 1st decade?

42. 
    

43. Thinking.

44. 
    

45. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Or just basing them on my age, as they're about the decades of my life? Yes, let me use that.

46. 
    

47. Pausing.

48. 
    

49. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Let me try my 1st decade first as my life was simple. Being born was a gift. Should I start with "born"? Or is it obvious?

50. 
    

51. Pausing.

52. 
    

53. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Anyway, what are the two other words that would aptly describe my life then?

54. 
    

55. Recalling.

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57. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I was from a poor family, but overall, I was happy. So my 1st decade would be: "Age 1-10: Born-Poor-Happy." That's terse.

58. 
    

59. Thinking.

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61. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): And this is just the beginning. My life in the next couple of decades has been fulfilling.

62. 
    

63. Recalling.

64. 
    

65. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): From age 11 to 20, I had dreams and worked very hard. From age 21- 30, I got married and pursued philosophy. They were significant episodes of my life.

66. 
    

67. Recalling.

68. 
    

69. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): From age 31-40, I got my qualifications and became an experienced government lawyer. From age 41-50, I shouldered heavier responsibilities and my job was never done.

70. 
    

71. Recalling.

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73. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): From age 51-60, I was creative in problem solving and reached the top of my career. And from age 61 till now, my life has become relaxed than before, but I practise as a barrister.

74. 
    

75. Pondering.

76. 
    

77. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Given the limitation, how can I better describe each decade of life in three words?

78. 
    

79. Recalling.

80. 
    

81. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I love all the decades of my life. Should I really use the three little words "I love it" against each decade all the way through?

82. 
    

83. Thinking.

84. 
    

85. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): But that's imprecise and repetitive, although it's a significant emotional fact.

86. 
    

87. Recalling.

88. 
    

89. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): How about using three-word phrases with a diversified focus like: "Love is everything", "Learning is everything", "Work is everything", "Family is everything", or "Career is everything."

90. 
    

91. Recalling.

92. 
    

93. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): That's a way, but the descriptive phase "...is everything" is repetitive.

94. 
    

95. Thinking.

96. 
    

97. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Some of my life episodes were like dramas with conflicts while some weren't, as missions were accomplished as planned.

98. 
    

99. Thinking.

100. 
     

101. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Let me challenge myself to describe each decade of my life in two outcome-based words, highlighting the contrast or consistency with a conjunction?

102. 
     

103. Pondering.

104. 
     

105. Act 3

106. 
     

107. INT. STUDY - CONTINOUS

108. 
     

109. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): So, let me start again. From age 1-10, I'd describe the decade of my life as "Poor but happy." Yes, that's the gist.

110. 
     

111. Pausing.

112. 
     

113. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): For age 11-20, I'd describe the decade of my life as "Earnest and hardworking." Work took precedent over romance.

114. 
     

115. Pausing.

116. 
     

     1. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): From age 21-30, I 'd describe the decade of my life as "Married and philosophical"; from age 31-40 as "Learned and experienced"; and from age 41-50, as "Competent and reliable".

117. 
     

118. Nodding.

119. 
     

120. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): From age 51-60, I'd describe the decade as "Creative and charismatic"...Was I charismatic? But I did have support from different quarters.

121. 
     

122. Pausing.

123. 
     

124. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): From age 61-now, I'd describe the episode as "Relaxed but professional." Yes, this is the state I'm in.

125. 
     

126. Peter types on his phone.

127. 
     

128. INT. SLEEPING ROOM - NIGHT

129. 
     

130. Listening to nostalgic music, Peter checks his Quora App contents.

131. 
     

132. PETER (V.O.): It's actually a pleasurable experience to reflect on my life and how I've lived it so far.

133. 
     

134. Pausing.

135. 
     

136. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): That explains why I've been addicted to the App activities. I've a world of audience who would like me to tell my stories.

137. 
     

138. FADE OUT.

139. 
     

140. THE END