Waves of Memory
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Nov 12, 2024
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - 08:00
Morning light filters through the curtains. PETER reaches for his smartphone and begins scrolling through the news.
PETER (V.O.): Oh, that tycoon died a couple of days ago at the age of 95.
Pausing.
PETER: (V.O.) (Cont'd): My Dad was younger than him, but he died over 10 years ago at the age of 79.
A wave of nostalgia washed over Peter.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): What if my loving Dad had lived into his 90s?
Pondering.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Would my Mom's cognitive ability be better if he's still around?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): My main agenda today is to visit my Mom in the elderly home.
Act 2
EXT. GOLDEN BAY - 13:30
The sun hangs high in the sky. The waves crash against the sand.
PETER (V.O): A typhoon is approaching. It'd be dangerous to swim tomorrow.
Peter enters the bay waters, swiming against the waves.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I can swim non-stop for at least 45 minutes.
Peter swims to the faraway orange bouy lines.
EXT. PETROL STATION, SO KUN WAT - 14:45
Driving a 2000 Previa, a wet-haired Peter pulls into the spacious station.
PETER (V.O): I'm thirsty and hungry. But let me take care of the car first.
Having filled up the car, Peter pumps air into the tires. He smiles, satisfied.
MONTAGE OF PETER'S OTHER ACTIVITIES
A. Peter's NT home. Peter starts a 2003 SMART and then a 1994 EUNOS in the garage,
B. Lakeside restaurant. Peter is having Pork Chop Croissant and Ice Chocolate.
END MONTAGE
PETER (V.O): Got to keep everything in shape, me too.
INT. ELDERLY HOME - 16:45
Hall. Entering, Peter sees his MOM (92) having dinner alone. He can't wait to join her.
PETER: Recognise me?
MOM: No...
PETER: Mom, I'm your eldest son.
Her Mom struggles to remember but can't recall. Then, she launches into a monologue about her memories.
PETER (V.O): Everything and nothing.
Peter occasionally interjects with gentle reminders of who he is.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Although my Mom has got lost in her own world, she's talking to me, whoever I'm.
FLASHBACK
INT. BEDROOM, PARENTS' HOME - DAY (1962)
Sitting in bed with his Mom (30), Peter (8) gently hits his Mom's shoulders and legs with his fists a100 times before taking a break.
PETER: Does that feel good, Mom?
MOM: Just like that. Once you've done 500 times, I'll reward you with 10 cents.
PETER: Great! Can you cope if I hit harder?
RETURN TO PRESENT
Peter begins to massage his Mom's shoulders and legs.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, the touch and feel are strikingly similar, as if no time has passed!
Peter holds his Mom's hand.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, it's cold, but mine can warm it.
Peter's Mom continues to speak to him tirelessly.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Now, I feel lost in the rhythm of her words.
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - 21:30
Peter inserts an AI drawing entitled "Waves of Memory ..." to a draft in his laptop.
PETER (V.O): Regardless of cognitive decline, the comfort my Mom finds in familiar relationships is significant.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): For me, care and compassion transcend the effects of time and memory, connecting me to my Mom deeply.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I accept life's changes. In the face of uncertainty, I'd aviod regrets about missed opportunities, whether in personal pursuits or relationships.
FADE OUT
THE END
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