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Writer's picturePeter K F Cheung SBS

In My Hands

  1. FADE IN


  2. Act 1


  3. INT. HOME - NIGHT


  4. Smart phone in hand, PETER stares at an image depicting fingers touching a turtle's claws.


  5. FLASHBACK


  6. EXT. ROADS - DAY


  7. Sitting in the passenger seat with a turtle box on his lap, Peter stares at NANA, the family pet.


  8. PETER: Don't worry. We go to change your dressing only.


  9. Peter then touches Nana's front claws with his fingers.


  10. PETER (V.O.): It manifests a promise to love.


  11. Having captured an image of it, Peter's WIFE drives away the car.


  12. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Nana's life is in my hands.


  13. Throughout the journey, Peter has his eyes on Nana only.


  14. Act 2


  15. EXT. STREETS - LATER


  16. Exiting from a car park with his wife, Peter carries the turtle box carefully. We can see Nana inside.


  17. PETER (V.O.): Although it's late, I still want Nana to see a bit of the world.


  18. Walking steadily.


  19. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): To all beings, life is a one-time offer.


  20. A BUSY BODY nearby peeps at Peter's box.


  21. BUSY BODY: There's a turtle inside!


  22. PETER (V.O.): It isn't a secret. It's just not your business.


  23. Having met with their SON, they enter a small animal and exotic hospital.


  24. INT. CONSULTATION ROOM - LATER


  25. On the table is Nana inside her box. An ASSISTANT types as Peter makes his observations.


  26. PETER: After returning home, Nana hasn't eaten anything.


  27. Pausing.


  28. PETER (Cont'd): She hasn't moved either. But she reacts to stimuli.


  29. The Assistant checks Nana's responses himself.


  30. PETER (Cont'd): We just want to change her dressing this time.


  31. The Assistant nods.


  32. PETER (Cont'd): I need more time to consider the matter.


  33. ASSISTANT: Okay, I'll call in the Vet.


  34. Soon, the Vet comes in and then takes a look at Nana.


  35. VET: As explained in the last occasion, Nana's condition won't get better.


  36. PETER (V.O.): That dashes my hope. I tried not to listen the last time.


  37. VET (Cont'd): I know you all need time to process the matter...


  38. WIFE: Euthanasia is a live option...but not today.


  39. PETER (V.O.): I've told my wife earlier that I must take Nana home today.


  40. VET: But I don't want to repeat the dressing-changing process the next time you come.


  41. PETER (V.O.): The Vet reads my thoughts.


  42. The Vet looks at Nana again.


  43. VET (Cont'd): Nana's welfare is at stake. Motionless, Nana has no quality of life.


  44. The Vet talks specifically to Peter.


  45. VET (Cont'd): You know how Nana behaved before her prolapse.


  46. PETER (V.O.): Nana was very energetic. It dawns on me that her quality of life is also in my hands.


  47. The Vet and the Assistant exit with Nana.


  48. WIFE: The message is very clear.


  49. PETER: Yes.


  50. Later. The Assistant returns with Nana in a new dressing.


  51. PETER & WIFE: We'd like to fix Nana's euthanasia appointment...


  52. RETURN TO PRESENT


  53. Act 3


  54. INT. HOME - CONTINUOUS


  55. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Yes, hand in hand, we'll face what lies ahead.


  56. Peter goes to check the sleeping Nana.


  57. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Nana has actually created a better world for my family.


  58. Peter stares at Nana lovingly again.


  59. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Heart to heart, our love for you won't part.


  60. THE END


  61. FADE OUT



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