Floating Memories

Peter K F Cheung SBS

11 minutes ago3 min read

FADE IN
Act 1
INT. STUDY - 13:00
Messy. PETER sits comfortably on a sofa, the Duolingo app open on his smartphone.
PETER (V.O.): One of my daily routines is to tackle my language quests.
Peter completes a series of Portuguese vocabulary exercises, matching words with images.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My memories haven't gone dormant yet.
Peter repeats phrases in Portuguese aloud, checking his degree of accuracy.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): There's always room for improvement in my pronunciation.
Peter wraps up his daily quest by correcting his mistakes.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Done! My second daily routine is swimming. Shall I go swimming in the sea or in a pool?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I need time to tidy up this apartment a bit since our younger daughter's friend from Australia will be staying with us for several nights.
Act 2
INT. SWIMMING POOL - 15:30
The sound of splashing water fills the air. While swimming leisurely, Peter spots something unusual.
PETER (V.O.): There's an experienced swimmer who supports a young man like a lifeuguard saving a distressed person.
Peter swims a bit closer to them.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Oh, the young man is still in the water while the experienced swimmer carefully supports him to keep his body afloat.
Observing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I believe the young man is a disabled person...It's a beautiful thing, even though it's a struggle.
FLASHBACK
iNT. LONDON AQUATICS CENTRE - DAY (2014)
Looking excited, Peter and a BOY, who has Down syndrome, appear.
PETER (V.O): It's a privilege to have access to a former Olympics pool.
As soon as they step into the water, the boy leaps up and wraps his arms around Peter tightly.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I know I can't really swim.
They enjoy simple splashes instead.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): It's clear that Fung-fung is having a fantastic time.
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Fung-fung is the son of a friend living in England.
INT. CHANGING ROOM - 16:15
While blow-drying his hair, Peter notices a young MAN eager to try but unsure how to adjust the wall-mounted hair dryer.
PETER (V.O.): Based on his demeanor, he's autistic. A Malaysian friend of mine has an autistic son.
Peter steps in to help him, while another MAN watches nearby.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I believe they're father and son. Oh, they're the same two I noticed in the pool earlier.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): When Chi-wai's grandparents were around, our families made annual visits to each other, either in Penang/KL or in Hong Kong.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I came to know my Malaysian friend while sitting in the Law of Treaties seminars in UCL.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): He's quite an introvert and his parents were surprised that he had me as his friend.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): When my friend got married on a Saturday in 1990, Sharon and I flew to Penang to witness his wedding and returned to Hong Kong the next day.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I was then working in Law Reform Commission as Senior Crown Counsel and my job was never done.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Time flies; and I haven't visited Malaysia for several years now.
Anticipating.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Since my friend finds it challenging to travel with his autistic son, I plan to visit them in KL again before long.
Act 3
INT. STUDY - 22:00
Peter inserts an AI drawing titled: "Floating Memories..." to a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O): Memories are like swimmers floating on the surface, drifting gently and reminding us of the moments that have shaped our lives.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): In the stillness of reflection, floating memories unveil the beauty of our past.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): As I travel through the paths of life, I cherish the floating moments that guide me home.
FADE OUT
END

Floating Memories

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