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Writer's picturePeter K F Cheung SBS

From Screens to Serenity


  1. FADE IN


  2. Act 1


  3. INT. STUDY/STUDIO - 09:30


  4. Filled with morning light, PETER is engrossed in his smartphone.


  5. PETER (V.O.): Just a few more minutes, and I'll put the phone away.


  6. Peter continues to scroll through social media notifications.


  7. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): It's really hard to break away from the screen.


  8. We see video clips featuring guitars, oldies, travels, Sakura blossoms, dogs, magic...


  9. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): The algorithms know my preferences and keep showing me enticing contents.


  10. Pausing.


  11. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I'm mindful of my time online. I need to find a balance between virtual and real-life experiences.


  12. Act 2


  13. INT. LIVING ROOM - 11:00


  14. Peter sees his WIFE is about to leave.


  15. WIFE: I've a Saturday get-together...


  16. PETER: Should l join?


  17. WIFE: You may prefer to do something else...


  18. PETER (V.O.): She's very attached to her sister...


  19. PETER: Okay, I'll take care of myself.


  20. His wife exits.


  21. PETER (V.O.): As I'm home alone, let me practise the piano here rather than in my studio.


  22. Sitting at the piano and following a tutorial on screen, Peter begins to hit the keys.


  23. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): It's a challenging piece, and I want to play each note right.


  24. We see the weight of music weighing on Peter.


  25. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I'll keep working on it. One day, I'll master this piece and find serenity.


  26. EXT. ESTATE STREETS - 14:45


  27. Peter walks towards a restaurant.


  28. PETER (V.O): I want to reward myself with a delicious meal.


  29. Arriving, Peter sees a closed restaurant and "To let" notices.


  30. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I haven't been here since the Chinese New Year. And now, it has closed down for good!


  31. Peter looks disappointed.


  32. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Since my formal retirement in 2014, it's my go-to place for lunch alone. I miss its fried noodles.


  33. Sighing.


  34. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Nothing is permanent.


  35. EXT. RIVERSIDE PARK/EMBANKMENT PARK - 18:30


  36. Led by Kaji, the family pet, Peter and his wife take turns to run with her.


  37. PETER (V.O): The surrounding is peaceful and serene though. Simple pleasure is what I cherish.


  38. Later, as his wife takes photos of Kaji, Peter practises some basic dancing steps.


  39. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): OMG, I'm not as agile as before.


  40. WIFE: We've to go home now. We're eating out in a restaurant in Sogo tonight.


  41. Peter nods.


  42. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Oh, how can I forget a Saturday night out with my wife!


  43. INT. SOGO, CAUSEWAY BAY - 20:00


  44. La Serene. Quiet. Peter and his wife do the orders.


  45. PETER (V.O): Taking advantage of its birthday promotion, we come here annually.


  46. After having their main courses, they've "Royce Golden Blend".

  47. PETER: I don't have coffee at dinner. But I can't resist the "Royce Golden Blend". I don't when I can fall asleep tonight.


  48. Later, Peter and his wife stroll through the stores. They come across various enticing items on sale.

  49. PETER: I must say they're tempting. But we've everything we need.


  50. WIFE: Err...I don't mind if we buy another property so that we can raise more pets...


  51. Act 3


  52. INT. STUDY/STUDIO - 23:00


  53. Peter inserts an AI drawing entitled "From screens to serenity..." to a text.


  54. PETER (V.O): Even when I'm surrounded by chaos, I strive to find mental serenity.


  55. Thinking.


  56. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): A way to arrive at serenity is to accept what I can't change. But I have the courage to change what I can.


  57. Reflecting.


  58. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): With a sense of harmony and balance, both internally and in my surroundings, I believe serenity can make me wise and more creative.


  59. FADE OUT


  60. THE END




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