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Writer's picturePeter K F Cheung SBS

Balancing Acts

Updated: Mar 22


  1. FADE IN


  2. Act 1


  3. INT. BEDROOM - 07:45


  4. His WIFE sleeping by his side, PETER begins to have screen time.


  5. PETER (V.O): I've an insatiable thirst on anything that I don't know.


  6. We follow Peter to read a Facebook post about Paul Newman.


  7. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Oh, he was on board the USS Bunker Hill, which fought in the battle of Okinawa in 1945.


  8. Pausing.


  9. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I was visiting Okinawa in Jan this year, checking out the Sakura blossoms and its history.


  10. Surfing the web, Peter researches on USS Bunker Hill.


  11. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): While covering the invasion of Okinawa, the aircraft career was struck by two kamikazes in quick succession on May 11, 1945. Paul Newman survived.


  12. Researching.


  13. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): The first kamikaze was Seizo Yasunori who led the attack squadron. The second one was Kiyoshi Ogawa...a USS sailor took his personal items.


  14. Act 2


  15. INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS


  16. Recalling.


  17. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): In the 1960s, I loved to watch Hollywood war movies.


  18. Recalling.


  19. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Soon after my retirement, I watched the Japanese movie "The Eternal Zero".


  20. Pondering.


  21. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Does the flag of a country fly with the last breath of every combatant who died protecting it?


  22. Researching.


  23. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I find myself immersed in the world of war stories. I also wonder if peace can only be secured by war.


  24. Pausing.


  25. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Apart from following my interest, I haven't done anything constructive the whole morning.


  26. Phone ringing. Peter picks up the call.


  27. ELLE (from phone):...Mr Cheung, would you be available on these dates...


  28. PETER (to phone): Let me check...


  29. As Peter checks his phone calendar, we see on screen many blocked dates in April and May.


  30. PETER (Cont'd) (to phone): Yes, I'd be in Hong Kong...


  31. Ending the phone conversation, Peter looks pleased and talks to his wife.


  32. PETER: I declined an offer from the same office days ago. I worried that I might have to decline again.


  33. Pausing.


  34. PETER (Cont'd): In April, we'll help our younger daughter to settle down in Japan to further her studies.


  35. Pausing.


  36. PETER (Cont'd): In May, we'll witness our doctor son's graduation ceremony in Australia.


  37. WIFE: Today, I'm having lunch with my former colleagues. And then I'd go to the market.


  38. Listening.


  39. WIFE (Cont'd): Should we watch the Hong Kong Flower Show 2024 together?


  40. PETER: Yes! I'll go swimming first, and then I'll have an afternoon tea set...

  41. WIFE: Let's meet at home at 5.00pm then.


  42. INTERCUTS OF THEIR PARALEL ACTIONS


  43. A. Peter's wife is having lunch with former COLLEAGUES. Peter is swimming laps in a swimming pool.


  44. B. Peter's wife is shopping in the market. Peter is having an afternoon tea set.


  45. EXT. MTR STATION - 18:00


  46. Peter's wife talks to Peter.


  47. WIFE:...His petition has failed...


  48. PETER: Whose petition? Oh, you're still following the development of your former big case!


  49. PETER (V.O): She's just retired... adapting to the change isn't easy.


  50. Peter sighs a little.


  51. Act 3


  52. INT. BEDROOM - 22:00


  53. Peter inserts an AI drawing entitled "Balancing Acts..." to a text.


  54. PETER (V.O): We strive to juggle our interests and commitments.


  55. Thinking.


  56. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): In managing our time and priorities, we've reasonable organization, precision and harmony.


  57. Pausing.


  58. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Life is one great balancing act. I'll continue to keep my head up and my feet on the ground, while allowing my heart to go wherever it pleases.


  59. FADE OUT


  60. THE END




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