Why I Walk
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
EXT. A GLASS-COVERED WALKWAY - 08:30
A queue of at least 50 COMMUTERS stretching from the elevator lobby. One lift under maintenance. PETER, in a suit, joins at the back.
PETER (V.O.): That's why I've to leave home relatively early.
The queue shuffles forward. Peter checks his watch. He calculates,
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Another 10 minutes minimum.
He looks up at the tall staircase.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): After every swim at Silverstrand Bay, I've to walk up 175 steps...
He abandons his position and disappears into the staircase.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Since its opening in 1991, this is my first time using it.
Act 2
FLASHBACK
EXT. MT. TAKAO, JAPAN - 15:15 (May 16, 2026)
Peter and his WIFE are making their way down the mountain.
PETER: We haven't seen any signage directing us to the cable car terminal...
WIFE: I worry that we're walking in a loop trail...
PETER: Me too. Let's take any downward path. We must arrive at our car park before dark.
They rush down unmaintained terrain, sometimes rather steep,
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): We decended from the mountain top at 599meters above sea level. And we made it in about 90 minutes.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Down is harder than up. My ankle wobbles on uneven stones.
Arriving at the lift lobby upstairs, Peter walks towards the MTR station.
EXT. PUBLIC CAR PARK, SILVERSTRAND - 18:00
A wet-haired Peter emerges from the hillside staircase. He gets inside his car and switches on the radio. We hear: A M7.1 earthquake strikes Kumamoto...
PETER (V.O.): Several years ago, I experienced a M6.1 earthquake in Tokyo. I know how it really feels.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It shouldn't impact on our younger daughter who is living and working in Tokyo.
INT. LIVING ROOM - 21:45
Peter and his wife are listening to their younger daughter's voice via a tiny speaker.
PETER (V.O.): We seldom do this. We don't want to disturb her. We assume she's fine.
DAUGHTER (from speaker): ...I only heard about the earthquake, after finishing work in Kamamura today.
They listen attentively.
DAUGHTER (from speaker) (Cont'd): I now walk 20,000 steps each day...
PETER & WIFE (to speaker): Wow!
DAUGHTER (from speaker): Just between the workshop, the set and back.
Pausing.
PETER (to speaker): You want to become a prop artist, right?
DAUGHTER (from speaker): I sweat a lot every day though.
Pausing.
DAUGHTER (from speaker) (Cont'd): Recently, I went to a massage therapist. And she said my overworked foot muscles were tight and stiff.
A sudden revelation hits Peter.
PETER (V.O.): Artistic creation isn't just mental strain, it's a physical purge. The sweat of the brow isn't a metaphor.
WIFE (to speaker): Have a good rest now.
DAUGHTER (from speaker): I still have to wash my clothes.
No further exchanges.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Our loved one's daily life holds lessions we've been too busy to notice.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.): One lesson is this: the distance doesn't matter. What matters is why you walk it?
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - 22:15
Peter uploads an image to a draft on his laptop. It shows a tall geometric staircase.
PETER (V.O.): Walking is just movement. But movement with intention-that's a life.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Walking is ultimately about connection-to others, to purpose, and to the present moment.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Why I walk? Not to arrive-but to become someone worth arriving for.
The END
FADE OUT
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