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  • Writer's picturePeter K F Cheung SBS

In the Country

Updated: Oct 7, 2023

  1. FADE IN


  2. Act 1


  3. INT. STUDIO - 10:30


  4. Sitting at a Clavinova, PETER plays the melodies of "The Theme from a Summer Place", "Misty" and "Beyond the Sea".


  5. PETER (V.O.): I play better each time.


  6. Peter begins to pack a few things.


  7. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Although I've to attend a meeting this afternoon, I've chosen to do it via Zoom so that I can return to the country.


  8. EXT. TUEN MUN HIGHWAY - 11:30


  9. Peter is driving his sleek silver Eunos 30X coupe.


  10. PETER (V.O): It's nearly 30 years old. None of my family members like it.


  11. Driving towards Gold Coast.


  12. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): If it's the last surviving one in Hong Kong, it also means that I can't hang on to it for long.


  13. Act 2


  14. EXT. GOLDEN BAY - 12:30


  15. Warm sunrays. From the tranquil beach, Peter submerges himself into the bay waters.


  16. PETER (V.O.): It's so refreshing.

  17. Swimming along the buoy line.


  18. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I've nothing to worry including my safety.


  19. Having swum for 45 minutes, Peter returns to the beach, looking content.


  20. INT/EXT. PETER'S NT HOME - 14:00


  21. Sitting room. G/F. Peter looks at his bicycles covered in a thin layer of dust.

  22. PETER (V.O.): I drive to the mall all the time. Let me ride a bicycle this time.


  23. Peter picks a white one, dusts it off, grips the handlebars and tests the brakes.


  24. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The tires aren't flat either!


  25. As Peter takes the bicycle to the front garden, we feel Peter's excitement.


  26. EXT. ESTATE ROADS - CONTINUOUS


  27. Quiet. Peter mounts the bicycles and starts pedaling and changing gears.


  28. PETER (V.O.): Over 10 years ago, I imagined that all my family members would ride on the estate roads together.


  29. Pausing.


  30. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That's why I've over half a dozen bicycles storing here.


  31. INT. LAKESIDE RESTAURANT - CONTINUOUS


  32. Gazing at the picturesque view, Peter is having a bowl of noodles, a small French toast and a cup of Ovaltine.


  33. PETER (V.O.): The Zoom meeting is coming up.


  34. EXT. LAKESIDE SEATING AREA - CONTINUOUS


  35. Sitting under the shade of a tree, Peter joins a Zoom meeting. We hear his focused and professional tone.


  36. PETER (V.O.): Despite being physically distant, I can maintain a sense of connection and productivity.


  37. INT. PETER'S NT HOME - 16:30


  38. Relaxing on a sofa, Peter listens to oldies. We hear Cliff Richard singing: When the world you're living gets a bit too much to bear...

  39. PETER (V.O.): Well, this's one of my favourite songs in the 1960s.


  40. We continue to hear:...If you're walking in the city and you're feeling rather small, and the people on the sidewalk seem to form a solid wall...


  41. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Quite true.


  42. We continue to hear:...And the silver stream is a poor man's wine in the country, in the country...


  43. INT. HOSPITAL - 19:45


  44. Peter walks through the halls. We can see concern edged on his face.


  45. PETER (V.O.): Would my Mum be able to recognize me this time?


  46. Taking lifts.

  47. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I just hope that she's suffering from temporary postoperative cognitive dysfunction.


  48. Arriving a ward. We follow Peter and see his MUM lying in bed.


  49. PETER: Can you recognize me?


  50. Act 3


  51. INT. STUDIO - 23:00

  52. Having input the prompt: "In the Country" in an AI art generator in his smartphone, Peter sees a cubist image appearing.


  53. PETER (V.O.): Amid the hustle and bustle of life, it's possible to find moments of tranquility through nature, music and the like, without losing business connections.


  54. Pausing


  55. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Embracing the workable pauses allows me to appreciate the beauty around me and find solace in simple pleasure.


  56. Reflecting.


  57. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In the country, I can restore my spirits and nourish my soul. I'm so happy that my Mum can recognize me again.


  58. We hear background music: All Time High.

  59. FADE OUT


  60. THE END

































































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