Try Again
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Feb 4, 2021
- 3 min read
FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. STUDY - NIGHT
PETER stares at a rubber band inside the disk tray of an opened DVD player.
PETER (V.O.): One visible problem of this old DVD player is that its rubber belt for moving the gears has melted.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): That should be a reason why the disk tray can't open.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I've learned from DIY video clips how to get hold of a replacement part.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): The easy option is to use an ordinary rubber band. I've just done that, but it doesn't work.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Another possible option is to go to a plumber to buy and modify an O ring...
Act 2
EXT/INT. APLIU STREET STORES - AFTERNOON
Coming out from Exit A, Peter bumps into a store selling electronics, electrical components and equipment.
PETER (V.O.): I'm trying my luck to see if I can buy a rubber belt for DVD players. I don't see any on display here.
Leaving the store, Peter enters another store next door. He sees and tests some O-rings.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): No. Such O-rings aren't elastic and wouldn't fit for my purpose.
On his way out, Peter enquiries with the SHOPKEEPER who shakes his head sideways. Disappointed, Peter crosses the street, and goes inside another store.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): No. I can't see what I want in the shelves.
Oh his way out, Peter sees a small hanger full of tiny rubber belts just next to the CASHIER.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Ah! I believe those rubber belts are the ones I want.
Peter enquires with the CASHIER.
PETER: I want to have some rubber belts measuring 38mm-40mm in diameter...
Immediately, the Cashier passes Peter a ruler.
CASHIER: You do your measurement and pick the ones you want.
PETER: How much does each cost?
CASHIER: Just a few dollars.
Peter does the measurement and selects 4 pieces.
CASHIER: $20.
Peter pays happily.
PETER (V.O.): Apliu Street is really different.
Doing window shopping along the street, Peter sees some audio-visual equipment on display.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Well, the price of a Blue Ray Player can be as cheap as $500! The repair cost of my another old DVD player, if successful, was more than that!
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Price aside, the technology is developing fast too.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): For the past couple of months, I've been trying to do basic repair to my old stuff, salvaging their residual value.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I might have assimilated myself with them.
INT. STUDY - NIGHT
Peter is working on the DVD player tray, replacing the rubber band with a rubber belt that he has just bought. Connecting the power and pressing the Open/Close button, the opened disk tray shuts but won't re-open.
PETER (V.O.): See if it can play.
Peter presses the Play button, but the disk won't spin.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Okay, the rubber belt is just one of the problems...
Peter takes a deep breath.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I've done all I can to salvage it.
Peter takes a look of the empty shelves under the flat-screen TV set.
Act 3
EXT. STREET - AFTERNOON
Carrying a box with a player image on it and a bag, Peter walks home.
PETER (V.O.): Having done some research in the morning, I've bought a new Blue Ray Player and some expensive HDMI cables.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I've other home theatre systems. But my home is more like an office now.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If I can't fix the old stuff, I'd better enjoy the new ones. The cable might bring sound from heaven.
INT. STUDY - DAY
Having put a disk inside the tray of a new blue ray player, Peter uses the remote control to test the system.
PETER (V.O.): Okay, I can now watch my DVDs and Blue-ray disks here...
Peter then takes a look of his out-of-order DVD player.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I believe a spring device inside it might have been displaced. Let me try again.
Putting the old DVD player under spot light, Peter investigates.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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