Whispers of the Past
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Dec 19, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 1
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - 07:15
Rising with the sun, PETER opens the Duolingo app on his hand-held devices.
PETER (V.O): I've to attend a 10am meeting in Central, then a lunch gathering witn my former classmates in Law School ...
Peter begins to practise Portuguese, then German.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Most important of all, I long to visit my old friend in the hospital at 5pm.
Peter practises Spanish, then Italian, and then French.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): As time doesn't permit me to swim in the sea in the afternoon, I'd swim in a public swimming pool near the hospital.
Having finished practising Italian, Peter checks the time.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I've to dash now. I've to leave practising Japanese and Korean later in the day.
Act 2
EXT. QUEENS ROAD CENTRAL - 12:15
Exiting from the Prince Buiding, Peter continues to chat with MICHAEL.
PETER: When did you graduate from HKUST?
MICHAEL: In 2008, nearly 17 years ago.
PETER: And you're thinking of getting donations from alumni to sponsor a named professorship...
MICHAEL: Yes, to give back by recognizing the knowledge transfer of a distinguished professor who have taught them.
PETER: Such an endorsement is powerful and persuasive - an all-win strategy!
INT. CHARIOT CLUB - 12:40
In a big round table, Peter is sitting alone.
PETER (V.O): I'm the first one to arrive. At HKU Law School, I was class 1984 (LLB) and class 1985 (PCLL).
SHARON and ANNE join Peter.
PETER (V.O): They initiated the bi-monthly class lunch gathering two months ago. I've no hesitation to join.
GILBERT and ARTHUR join Peter.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Arthur retired before me, and Gilbert is still working in DoJ.
ANGELA and GLORIA arrive.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I helped Angela for free once and she bought me a lunch. Gloria is patriotic.
As they chat happily, KRIS arrives.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Two months ago, I strived to remember him. I couldn't reconcile his current look with the impression I had of him 40 years ago.
As they chat endlessly, CHAPMAN arrives.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): In 1984, Chapman was a mature student like me. When we reunited years ago, he briefed me.
Soon, a beautiful LADY arrives, taking a look of Peter and others
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): She's Lisa, still beautiful. We haven't met for over 40 years.
LISA (to Peter): Your hair is the whitest among all.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): What was her impression of me way back when?
As they chat warmly, SURRESH arrives.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): It's only in the last gathering I knew that he's Cantonese-speaking!
Then silence, as a MAN joins them.
SHARON (whispering to Peter): Who's he?
PETER (whispering to Sharon): A stranger to me too.
Then, JUNIUS arrives, sitting next to the man.
JUNIUS (to the man): Hello, David! We haven't met for quite a while.
INT. TUNG WAH HOSPITAL - 16:50
Ward entrance. Peter and other VISITORS are waiting before a locked door.
PETER (V.O): The last time I met Alfred was in 1997. Would he recognize me? Could I recognize him? Can we communicate, as before?
At 17:00, having walked around the ward, Peter asks a NURSE at the reception.
PETER: Nurse, can you please tell me Alfred's bed number?
NURSE: He's at the partitioned corner...
As Peter is about to rush there, the nurse stops him.
NURSE: You've to wear protective gear first...
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - 22:15
Peter inserts an AI drawing titled: "Whispers of the Past..." to a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O): Relationships can fade over time, but reconnecting can bring joy and perspective.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): It's never too late to reach out and mend broken ties; the past doesn't have to dictate the future.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Shared experiences create lasting bonds that can be revisited and cherished.
FADE OUT
THE END
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