Heart and Soul
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. STUDIO - 10:30
Sitting on a sofa, PETER scrolls through his smartphone. A video clips catches his attention.
PETER (V.O.): The online piano tutorial covers finger positioning.
Peter starts watching. We hear the piano sounds of "Do, Do, Do..."
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, the melody is the duet played on the floor piano in the film "Big". It's my favourite.
Watching.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I see. The name of the musical piece is "Heart and Soul".
We hear a catchy melody and chord progression.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): "Heart and Soul" is considered a piano anthem? I must learn to play it.
Peter starts to play the melody and the chord progression separately, making a few mistakes along the way.
Act 2
INT. PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL - 14:00
Crowded. Filled with SWIMMERS of all ages.
PETER (V.O.): Since the weather isn't good, I swim indoor instead.
Peter swims continously without stopping.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The upside is that I don't have to compete for space near the pool wall.
Peter swims frogstyle.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): For many years, I didn't care about swimming techniques; I simply wanted to exercise.
Swimming freestyle.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Now that I'm swimming everyday, I wonder why I shouldn't improve?
Swimming backstrokes.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): After learning some tips from online tutorials, I couldn't wait to practise them.
After a few butterf,ly strokes, Peter climbs out of the pool.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My heart is racing.and my soul feels alive.
INT. LIVING ROOM - 16:00
Raining outside. Peter's WIFE is having a video call with a daughter from afar.
PETER (V.O.): My wife needs space and I won't interrupt; just listening to our daughter's voice describing her new home is satisfying.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've kept the birthday card she made for me when she was 16. In it, she expressed her hope that I'd find happiness every day and enjoy a healthy life.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): More importantly, it ended with a heartfelt note that she loved me.
Then Kaji, the family pet, joins Peter in the massage chair. Peter pets her.
PETER (V.O.): My heart and soul find comfort in the shared moment.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Although I might need to step away to use the bathroom, I don't want to move as if Kaji isn't welcome.
Researching on "Heart and Soul" with his smartphone, Peter stumbles upon another piano tutorial featuring excerpts from the iconic dancing piano scene in "Big".
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Beyond the iconic scene, I also love the story itself.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I was a boy, I dreamed to be big.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I actually became big, I found a job, started a life with Sharon, and believed everything - my heart and soul - was rosy.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Then, tragically, Sharon died young.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Later, I remarried, .and now I found myself in the situation I'm in.
Sighing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I often wondered what our lives would be like if Sharon was still around.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Now I realize being "big" isn't about size. It's about time.
Act 3
INT. STUDIO - 22:00
Peter inserts an AI drawing titled: "Heart and Soul..." to a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O): My heart learns the notes of the song. My soul recognizes the silence between them.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Approaching age 71, I just want to be big enough to play small.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): A wrong note played with conviction is still music. A life lived with regrets is still a life.
FADE OUT
END
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