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Writer's picturePeter K F Cheung SBS

Choices Across Time


  1. FADE IN


  2. Act 1


  3. INT. LIVING ROOM - 09:00


  4. Sitting on a sofa with a mobile in hand, PETER is having a phone conversation with his elder son.


  5. PETER (to phone): I note the particulars of the potential tenant...


  6. SON (from phone): He's eager to sign the lease right away...


  7. PETER (to phone): I read from your earlier message the reason why his last landlord wanted him to quit.


  8. SON (from phone): It seems that his income is pretty stable.


  9. PETER: So, you take the risk that he's a good-fit tenant...


  10. PETER (V.O.): As I've given the flat to my elder son, I just want to facilitate so that he can capitalize on the rent.


  11. PETER (to phone): If there's anything I can help about executing the lease, just let me know.


  12. SONG (from phone): I'd be very busy today. Let me come back to you in the late afternoon.


  13. Act 2


  14. EXT. SILVERSTRAND BAY - 13:45


  15. Cloudy. Walking along the beach, Peter sees a red flag being hoisted.


  16. PETER (V.O): What hazard? Thunderstorm or jellyfish?


  17. Peter then sees the waves crashing onto shore.


  18. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I note the warning to stay out of water, but I'd swim, assuming the risk.


  19. Peter enters the bay water and swims.


  20. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I believe swimming in the sea would add years to my life.


  21. Swimming.


  22. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Perhaps, I won't swim to the outer limit of the swimming area today.


  23. Later, we see Peter climbing up the ladder of a rocking-and-rolling floating platform.


  24. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): If I had to choose between drowning in the bay and dying in a hospital bed, I'd pick the former.


  25. INT. STUDY - 15:45


  26. Cluttered. Peter presses the "On" button of an old Sony Vaio laptop.


  27. PETER (V.O): I bought it days after I ceased active service with the Govt. For years, it was a good fit for me.


  28. Seeing no response, Peter presses the "Assist" button. Then, only date and time appear on a black screen.


  29. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Is that all?


  30. Later, a dialogue box pops up: Enter Pin.


  31. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Yesterday, I confirmed the keyboard had malfunctioned, but I managed to use the touch pad to enter the pin.


  32. Pausing.


  33. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): If I couldn't access to the System Setting, my new Bluetooth keyboard couldn't be connected with it.


  34. Recalling.


  35. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): And then I was asked to update the basic software...and later got and a different look and feel...


  36. Clicking icons.


  37. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): But now, the laptop is slower than before...


  38. Having waited for a while, Peter gets to the "App" page.


  39. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): OMG, I've upgraded the Apps that I don't need but not the laptop's operating system!

  40. Clicking "Uninstall" repeatedly.


  41. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): It doesn't even have to capacity to uninstall Apps!


  42. Peter leans back, defeated.


  43. INT. DINING ROOM - 19:45

  44. Mobile ringing. Earnestly, Peter picks up a call.


  45. PETER (to phone): Son, you need my help about the lease?


  46. SON (from phone): Not yet, the agent has found a better potential tenant...


  47. PETER (to phone): Let's wait and see then.


  48. SON (from phone): Speaking about choices, I need your advice about my career development...


  49. PETER (to phone): Follow your passion, even if it's risky. But don't ignore the practical side.


  50. PETER (V.O): In my days, my Dad and my Father-in-law advised me that security of tenure was paramount.


  51. Act 3


  52. INT. LIVING ROOM - 22:00


  53. Peter inserts an AI drawing entitled "Choices Across Time..." to a draft in his laptop.


  54. PETER (V.O): As values of different generations differ, personal decisions on choices evolve over time.


  55. Thinking.


  56. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Choices across time may range from selecting a tenant and swimming in rough water to fixing an old laptop and developing a career.


  57. Reflecting.


  58. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): All have to face important decisions in life. The ability to adapt to changing circumstances is essential for success.


  59. FADE OUT


  60. THE END


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