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Writer's picturePeter K F Cheung SBS

Fingers in Flux

  1. FADE IN


  2. Act 1


  3. INT. BEDROOM - 23:00


  4. Serene ambiance. Before a laptop, PETER checks his fingers.


  5. PETER (V.O.): It's only yesterday that I knew I had been suffering from smartphone neuropathy.


  6. We follow Peter to inspect closely the skin along the sides of his left hand index finger and pinky.


  7. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): They're less flushed now. Hopefully, the inflamation caused by repetitive strain has lessened.


  8. We see obvious swellings in the joints of both fingers.


  9. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): They're very pronounced, especially when I was travelling in Japan last week.


  10. Following Peter to inspect his right hand fingers, we see a thick and reddish pinky.


  11. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): It doesn't look as bad as my left hand ones. Anyhow, I feel the discomfort and pain in them.


  12. Peter then uses the right hand index finger to feel the thumb.


  13. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I feel a little pain in the thumb too, although it looks normal.


  14. Act 2


  15. FLASHBACK


  16. INT. CONSULTATION ROOM - 14:30 (Nov 3, 2023)


  17. Peter is consulting his DOCTOR.


  18. DOCTOR: Having less screen time should be good for you.


  19. PETER (V.O.): It's hard to cut down on screen time. A smartphone isn't just a tool of communication, I learn and get work done via it.


  20. INT. STUDIO - 17:00 (Nov 10, 2023)


  21. Having tuned a 12-string acoustic guitar, Peter uses his left hand fingers to press down on strings to play chords.


  22. PETER (V.O.): Oh, a sharp pain shoots through my fingers!


  23. Peter checks his finger tips.


  24. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, the coins are gone.


  25. Peter takes a look of the Clavinova nearby.


  26. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I haven't played guitar for quite a while.


  27. Peter puts the guitar aside.


  28. EXT. NIKKO TO KAWAGUCHI - DAY (Nov 15, 2023)


  29. Travelling on train or bus, Peter holds onto his smartphone for directions.


  30. PETER (V.O.): I need to check where to change and which terminal to board the next train or bus.


  31. Later, having seen the Autumn foliage in Momji Corridor, Peter connects his smartphone with a charger and holds onto both in his left hand.


  32. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Oh, a sharp pain is shooting through my index finger!


  33. Using his right hand to hold onto his gadgets, Peter examines his left hand fingers.


  34. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Why the skin and joints of my index finger and pinky are swelling in red?


  35. Pausing.


  36. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I must have held onto my smartphone in an awkward postion with the fingers for an excessive period of time.


  37. Checking his smartphone and charger in his right hand.


  38. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I give my left hand fingers a break then.


  39. INT. DORMY INN, IKEBUKURO - 23:30


  40. Hot spring. Peter submerges his hands near the spring.


  41. PETER (V.O.): It's hotter. I hope the heat can relieve my finger pain quick.


  42. EXT. ST. STEPHEN'S BAY - 11:30 (Today)


  43. Sunny. Lying on the beach sand, Peter dips his hands into the warm sand.


  44. PETER (V.O.): It's quite soothing.


  45. Picking up some dry sweet gum tree spiky balls from the sand, Peter uses them to massage his swollen fingers.


  46. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Such a targeted approach should have a good outcome, although it's painful.


  47. Reflecting.


  48. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I deserve that.


  49. INT. KITCHEN - 17:00


  50. We see Peter applying ice to his swollen fingers.


  51. RETURN TO PRESENT


  52. Act 3


  53. INT. STUDY - CONTINUOUS


  54. Having stretched his fingers, Peter hits the keyboard.


  55. PETER (V.O.): I didn't recognize signs of smartphone neuropathy as I hadn't educated myself about the health impacts of prolonged smartphone use.


  56. Peter stares at an AI drawing.


  57. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's "Fingers in Flux" in context. To reduce strain and promote healing of my fingers, I explore various strategies to adapt to my conditions.


  58. Reflecting.


  59. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Instead of managing the adverse consequences, I should have struck a balance between digital engagement and my overall well-being beforehand.


  60. FADE OUT


  61. THE END




































































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