Uncharted
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - 09:20
Quiet. PETER sits propped up in bed. He holds a phone, scrolling through Facebook. A post catches his eye. The headline reads: Beatles' "Rubber Soul" 2026 Reissue Deputs at #3 on Billboard 200.
PETER (V.O.): Number three. 61 years later.
A slow smile spreads across his face.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Since 2011, I've been producing and publishing my bilingual/trilingual songs. I wrote the music and the lyrics. I sang and played the guitar.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Dozens of them. But none got over 1000 views.
He taps Google and opens a voice assistant app.
PETER (to phone): Track the chart progress of the 2026 reissue of Beatles' Rubber Soul.
VOICE (from phone): ...there is a 12% increase in streaming figures week-over-week. It's also number one on the Vinyl Albums chart.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Good...That's good.
Act 2
FLASHBACK
INT. LOUNGE, DISNEY ADVENTURE - 22:00 (30 Sept, 2026)
The vibe is warm, intimate and theatrical. Peter and his WIFE arrive.
WIFE: This is the last activity of the cruise. I think you'd like it.
PETER: Okay, let's sit in the front then.
The MC bounces onto the stage, microphone in hand.
MC: Alright, music lovers! Welcome to Trivia. The rules are simple. I play the intros of 20 songs in turn and you tell me their names.
Pausing.
MC (Cont'd): We're going from the 1950s all the way to today! The person with the most correct answers wins a prize.
Peter sits up a little straighter.
FLASHBACK UPON FLASHBACK
INT. PETER'S FAMILY HOME, TIN SUM - DAY (1968-1969)
Peter (14) sits at a desk. A transistor radio plays hit songs. He is meticulously writing a list titled: Peter's personal Top 100 and ranking them feverishly.
PETER (V.O.): It's my passion. I enjoy doing it weekly.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I try to understand my changing taste.
END FLASHBACK UPON FLASHBACK.
The game begins. A familiar bassline fills the room. It's from the 1950s.
PETER (V.O.): I know it, but it's only out of reach.
MC: Anyone? Okay, moving on!
A new riff plays. A driving soulful guitar.
PETER (V.O.): It's "Stand by Me".
We hear someone shouting: Stand by Me.
MC: That's correct! The next song.
We hear a shimmering, orchestral disco intro. Peter's eyes light up, while the room goes quiet.
PETER (V.O.): They don't have a clue?
PETER: "Night Fever".
MC: Yes, a 1978 hit by the Bee Gees!
Then, we hear a synth-pop intro. The younger CROWD roars. Hands fly up.
PETER (V.O.): The game moves into the post 1970s. I've no idea.
Other intros. Peter is completely lost.
MC (Cont'd): Final round! Let's see who we've got? Who got one-to-five songs right?
Peter and PLAYER#1 raise their hands.
MC (Cont'd): And our winner...15-20?
PLAYER#2 raises her hand cheerfully.
PETER (V.O.): I can chart every song of my youth and still be lost in the melody of today.
RETURN TO PRESENT
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM -21:45
Peter uploads a photo to a draft on his laptop. It shows a theatrically lit lounge aboard the Disney Adventure, and an MC on a tiered stage conducts a music trivia game.
PETER (V.O.): I'm not a song expert, I'm just a historian of my own narrow, formative years.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The young know the new songs. The old know the old songs. The wise know both are singing the same human history.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I spent my life charting. I'm learning, now, to be uncharted - waiting to be discovered by myself, for myself.
The END
FADE OUT
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