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Writer's picturePeter K F Cheung SBS

Golden Years

Updated: Jan 1

  1. FADE IN


  2. Act 1


  3. INT. STUDY - 16:00


  4. Grabbing his mobile, PETER scrolls through a string of emails.


  5. PETER (V.O.): Even on a Saturday afternoon, my HKUST colleagues are still strategizing on a new initiative.


  6. Pausing.


  7. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I've been following closely the developments too.


  8. Pausing.


  9. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): As a meeting is coming up, I'll contribute on the business model then.


  10. Reading: Happy 2024 best wishes.


  11. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Meanwhile, let me reciprocate with something creative.


  12. Having prompted an AI drawing bot, Peter stares at one of the "2024"drawings generated.


  13. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): This one looks like "2014-2024" to me.


  14. Act 2


  15. FLASHBACK


  16. INT. RESTAURANT - 13:00 (2014)


  17. Over lunch, Peter is chatting with a FRIEND.


  18. FRIEND: Do you know that our "Golden Years" have just begun?


  19. PETER: What "Golden Years"? We've just retired as senior civil servants.


  20. FRIEND: "Golden Years" describe the phase of life that begins after retirement. It's about 10 years.


  21. PETER: I've 10 more golden years? How encouraging!


  22. MONTAGE OF PETER'S GOLDEN YEARS


  23. A. May 2014 - March 2020. Peter travels away from Hong Kong monthly.


  24. B. May 2014 - Feb 2017. Peter writes songs and makes MVs frequently.


  25. C. 2016 - present. Peter does voluntary work for HKUST as if he's working full-time.


  26. D. March 2017 - present. Peter publishes dramatic works via his websites regularly.

  27. E. Sept 2017 - present. Peter practises as a Barrister.


  28. F. Nov 2022 - present. Peter resumes his monthly travel hobby.

  29. END FLASHBACK


  30. INT. STUDIO - 18:00

  31. Opening Booking.com, Peter checks his bookings.


  32. PETER (V.O.): My Jan 2024 travel arrangements are all set.


  33. Pausing.


  34. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): While my wife and I were in Macau during Christmas, we heard many oldies including "Silence is Golden" at Hotel Sheraton's public areas.

  35. Peter goes to sit at a piano with hands hovering over keys.


  36. PETER (V.O.): I feel like playing the song "Misty" now.


  37. Playing the opening notes of the song, Peter hits a wrong key.


  38. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): No, I can do this.


  39. Peter restarts the piece cautiously; we hear him hitting a wrong bass key and the dissonance.


  40. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I used to play this with ease.


  41. Frustration clouds Peter's face.


  42. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd):  My memory is failing me badly.


  43. Peter tries to find something.


  44. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Where have I put the song sheet?


  45. Grabbing his mobile, Peter sees a WhatsApp message from the car repairer. He makes a call.


  46. PETER (To phone): ...You don't know what's wrong with my 1994 silver coupe?...It's just too old?...


  47. Reflecting.


  48. PETER (V.O.): Is my life like an old car now?


  49. Act 3


  50. INT. STUDY - 19:00


  51. Working on a laptop, Peter inserts the "2014-2024" AI drawing into a draft.


  52. PETER (V.O): This drawing reminds me to make the most of the opportunities at hand.


  53. From the bluetooth speakers, we hear the 1971 song "Woodstock".


  54. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Tonight, we'll have dinner at home with our younger son's girlfriend. Such moments should be golden.


  55. We hear Woodstock's lyrics: We're stardust, we're golden, we've got to get ourselves back to the garden.


  56. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I've to believe my golden years are still before me, not behind me.


  57. DAYDREAMING SEQUENCE


  58. A. Delighted, Peter's WIFE puts food on the dining table.


  59. B. Peter's FAMILY eats and chats with the younger son's GIRLFRIEND joyfully.


  60. FADE OUT


  61. THE END




































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