Waves Within
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Nov 21, 2023
- 2 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. STUDY - 08:00
From a cloth hanger, PETER selects a dark suit.
PETER (V.O.): I've to accompany my client to attend a screening interview this morning.
Among shirts of different colours, Peter selects one.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): This one complements the suit.
Peter then selects a tie.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I believe wearing it may convey a sense of command.
Having put on his shirt and suit, Peter tightens the tie knot up towards the shirt collar.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I never like the restrictive feeling.
Taking a quick look into mirror to ensure he's properly dressed, Peter rushes out.
Act 2
EXT. STREETS - 11:00
Peter is chatting with an INTERPRETER.
PETER (V.O.): There're few Wolof interpreters.
INTERPETER: I'm actually a full-time dancer...From Africa to Hong Kong...
PETER: I used to dance too. But my wife didn't think I was her good dancing partner.
INTERPRETER: Among my students, there's one who is 97-year old.
PETER: Is that right? Don't you worry that she may fall?
INTERPRETER: No, dancing is like waves coming one by one...
Peter tries to understand.
INTERPRETER (Cont'd): Just follow what's in you.
PETER: And dance myself out!
INT. KITCHEN - 12:30
Peter is enjoying a plate of fried beef noodles.
PETER (V.O.): Yesterday, I read a chatgroup shared message claiming that WHO had ranked eating as the no.1 factor that contributes to longevity.
Peter grabs his smartphone.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Before having more meat, let me fact-check this.
Researching and reading.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Oh, WHO has never done such a ranking. The information is false.
INT. STUDIO - 13:15
Peter is having an afternoon nap. Suddenly, his smartphone rings, jolting him awake.
PETER (V.O.): It comes at a wrong time.
Glancing at the phone number on screen, Peter doesn't bother to pick up the call.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): It's just another phishing attempt.
Soon, his smartphone rings again, and Peter picks up the call.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I've to delete the message left behind. I hate this!
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Let me check the progress in combating telecom fraud.
We see on Peter's smartphone screen about human trafficking, forced labour and killings including undercover police from China in the Kokang self-administered zone of Myanmar.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): OMG, this is horrifying. I had no idea of the extent of these crimes.
Peter's smartphone rings again. We hear: Chambers.
SECRETARY (from phone): Mr Cheung, there's a brief for you. Are you open to it?
PETER (to phone): I've been contermplating full retirement...Okay...I'll accept it.
INT. SILVERSTRAND BAY - 16:30
Standing at the shore, Peter gazes at the waves coming one by one.
PETER (V.O.): Time to swim against and with the waves.
Entering the baywaters, Peter begins swimming, pushing against the waves and allowing them to carry him.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I just hope that I'll never need the service of lifeguards.
Act 3
INT. STUDIO - 19:00
Peter goes to the Clavinova.
PETER (V.O.): Liberating myself to embrace my passion is important.
We see Peter putting the sheet music "La Vie en Rose" on the stand.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): "Waves within" invokes a sense of introspection about my changing emotions and desires.
We then hear in slow tempo a series of melodic phrases that rise and fall.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Such an inward travel should bring out the best in me.
FADE OUT
THE END
Comments