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Writer's picturePeter K F Cheung SBS

Every Single Year

  1. FADE IN


  2. Act 1


  3. INT. DINING ROOM - 08:30


  4. PETER and KAJI, the family pet, are sharing one seat.


  5. PETER (V.O.): For the past year, we've been sitting like that at breakfast time.


  6. As the MAID puts bread on the table, the pet looks enthusiastic.


  7. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Instead of urging me to come out from the bedroom for the bread, she knows waiting at the dining table is better.


  8. Having taken some bread himself, Peter shares a slice with Kaji.


  9. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): And if I don't give it to her, she'd help herself to it now.


  10. Pausing.


  11. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): She was born today, seven years ago. She's been with us since she was 6 months old.


  12. Pausing.


  13. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Every single year, I'm aware of her difference.


  14. Act 2


  15. INT. SITTING ROOM - 11:30


  16. As Peter sits in the sofa with a banana in his hand, Kaji is quick to join him.


  17. PETER (V.O.): She knows the banana is safe for her to eat,


  18. Unpeeling the banana, Peter cuts a bite-sized piece in his hand. Kaji grabs and swallows it without a sound.


  19. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): She used to watching me eating, now she focuses on what's in my hand.


  20. Peter puts more bite-sized pieces in his hand for Kaji.


  21. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I believe she used to wonder if banana peels are edible.


  22. Pausing.


  23. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Now, she knows that they're meant for my skin care.


  24. Peter uses the banana peels to clean his face.


  25. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): She doesn't know bananas are nature's botox. Bananas contain ingredients that help eliminate age spots and wrinkles.


  26. Smiling.


  27. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When she licks my face out of love, she knows how tasty it is.


  28. Pausing.


  29. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Way back when, the dogs in my family home were guard dogs.


  30. MONTAGE OF PETER'S FAMILY GUARD DOGS IN THE 1960S


  31. A. Home. "Choi Nui", a black dog with distinctive yellow markings above its eyes, is feeding her puppies.


  32. B. Away from home. "Little Bear", a black dog with a bear-like appearance, is on a frolic of his own.


  33. C. Home/Away from home. "Ruby" a German Shephard is being chained when GUESTS come. Unchained, she wants to sneak out.


  34. END MONTAGE


  35. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): "Choi Nui" was calm and reserved. She was a good mother. She lived to old age.


  36. Recalling.


  37. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): "Little Bear" was independent and loyal. On tomb-sweeping days, it led the family. Suddenly, he disappeared.


  38. Recalling.


  39. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): "Ruby" was ready to bite strangers and wasn't affectionate with the family. One day, she escaped, ate dirty raw stuff and died days later.


  40. Pausing.


  41. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Living in NT, we raised many dogs from 1960s to 2010s. But I can't forget how "Choi Nui". "Little Bear" and "Ruby" made me feel.


  42. Recalling.


  43. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Another unforgettable experience was one when I walked the streets of London.


  44. FLASHBACK


  45. EXT. STREETS OF LONDON - NIGHT (2013)


  46. Wet sidewalk. Peter (59) walks past a weary homeless MAN and his loyal dog.


  47. PETER (V.O.): No matter how little money and how few possession one has, having a dog makes one rich.


  48. Pausing.


  49. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): But, I've to admit that I feel worse for the homeless man's dog than I do for the homeless man.

  50. END FLASHBACK


  51. Act 3


  52. INT. DINING ROOM - 22:00


  53. Kaji is sitting next to Peter's WIFE, opposite to Peter.


  54. PETER (V.O.): A lot can happen every single year in one's life.


  55. Peter looks into Kaji's eyes.


  56. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I see a loving living being.


  57. Pausing.


  58. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I learn a lot from her about unconditional love. She fills an emptiness we didn't even know we had.


  59. Later, Peter and his wife present a birthday cake to Kaji. Peter's wife blows out the candle...


  60. FADE OUT


  61. THE END





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