Winter Solstice
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Dec 22, 2022
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
EXT. STREET - 14:00
A wet-haired PETER is walking towards an estate.
PETER (V.O.): Tonight, we'll have dinner in my Mom's home.
Seeing an incoming WhatsApp message, Peter types on his phone screen: Dinner around 8.pm, if you can come.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Today is Thursday. My elder son has to work very hard.
Later, Peter sees another message, Peter types on screen: No hurry.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My plan is go to Hung Shui Kiu early with my younger daughter. She's rushing to join me.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I believe it's a good tradition of my family. I'm taking the lead now.
Copying the link of his song "Winter Solstice", we see Peter sharing it with his contacts and chatgroups.
Act 2
FLASHBACK
INT. SITTING ROOM - NIGHT (MONTHS AGO)
Peter is chatting with his WIFE.
PETER: I've found out my Mom's chronic problem.
Pausing.
PETER (Cont'd): She has many bank books to keep and many bank statements to understand.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And she doesn't enjoy going to banks anymore.
Peter talks to his younger SON and DAUGHTER.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I therefore suggested to grandma that perhaps she might consider distributing her savings to her daughter and sons.
Smiling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And if so, we'd get it done in person in the banks on the Winter Solstice day.
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If my Mom accepted my suggestion, I should be in the banks with my Mom and my siblings.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): At age 92, my Mom still wants to save good money for the rainy days, assuming that she has to rely solely on herself.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): True. She's living a lone. And we only visit her occasionally.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I sensed the serious conditions Nana was in, I sold some stocks to ensure that money wouldn't be a problem.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That however is an irrelevant consideration for our Winter Solstice gathering.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But to have a family gathering on a Thursday is hard as my Mom isn't living in the urban area.
On phone screen, Peter sees incoming Christmas and New Year Greetings.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): They're impersonal ones from institutions. Winter Solstice day is just another day.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Long lost are the days when the Winter Solstice was celebrated with as much zest as the other holidays.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.): On Winter Solstice, I feel the immense need to slowing down for good company.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The Winter Solstice day is also special to me, as my late wife Sharon was born on that day in 1955.
EXT. ROADS - 17:45
Sunset. Peter is driving his daughter. Traffic jam. Phone rings. Peter sees caller: Mom.
MOM (From phone): It's quite dark now. Are you coming in for dinner?
PETER (To Phone): Yes, we're coming back...
MOM (From phone): Do I have to wait for you downstairs?
PETER: No, you just wait at home.
Act 3
INT. PETER'S MOM'S HOME - 21:45
As Peter's FAMILY leaves, Peter's MOM insists they take some sweets from her.
EXT. STREET - LATER
Three cars appearing. Peter's sons drive the first one and the second one, and his wife the third one.
PETER (V.O.): We made a great effort for the Winter Solstice dinner.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Winter Solstice is a time of reflection, during the longest and darkness night of the year.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): May this Winter Solstice and the rebirth of the sun bring all love, peace and good fortune in the coming year!
THE END
FADE OUT
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