Without Memories?
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Jul 5, 2022
- 2 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - 07:30
Waking up, PETER checks the time.
PETER (V.O.): I believe I don't have to go to court today.
INT. STUDY - 07:45
Having checked some papers, Peter looks content.
INT. LOBBY - 15:00
Going out, PETER has a letter in hand.
PETER (V.O.): Today is already July 5. A pay-rise news makes me remember that I haven't posted my paycheck to my gardener yet.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Nothing is missed or lost if we remember it. But how?
Act 2
INT. STUDIO - 15:30
Having played some bass lines, Peter looks at his white Yamaha electric bass guitar.
PETER (V.O.): With my wife's financial support, I bought it and other musical gear in 1987.
Remembering.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): She'd play the piano. I'd play the bass. We'd sing together.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The guitar is still visually stimulating.
Remembering.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Years ago, the guitar's pick-ups were out of order and I had them made good.
Staring at the guitar.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Among my electric bass guitars, I love this vintage one the most.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It triggers vivid and heartwarming memories.
Pondering.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But it seems that we can't control our memories and select what to keep or let go.
Researching with his smart phone.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Our brains tend to remember moments that we think are important.
Reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): We can consciously pay more attention to moments that we want our brains to remember.
Remembering.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): By repeating their names whenever I greet them, I've been able to remember the names of three receptionists at HKUST's Business School.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Similarly, the more often I share with others of what I know, the stronger that knowledge would be in my memory.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I also capture lots of photos of moments that I think important so that my brain might select to remember the backstories.
INT. LOBBY - 20:00
Going out, Peter takes a look of the CARETAKER.
PETER (V.O.): He isn't the very friendly one who'd open the door and chat with me.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Months ago, he suddenly disappeared. I heard that he had an acute medical condition and had undergone an operation.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): He hasn't returned to work ever since. I hope he's alright and the choice is a good one.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've read that there's the possibility that we might fabricate our memories, wanting to believe something different has happened.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): We'd mix them, just like clicking "Saving as" of new files in the computer memory disk.
Act 3
INT. SWIMMING POOL - 20:30
Peter is swimming free style.
PETER (V.O.): We're nothing more than the sum of our memories. What would our identities be without memories?
Swimming backstrokes.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Whether good or bad, memories make us who we're and impact on how we think, act and feel.
INT. BEDROOM - 23:00
Peter goes to bed.
PETER (V.O.): I remember I only need to appear in courts days after tomorrow.
THE END
FADE OUT
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