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Writer's picturePeter K F Cheung SBS

Life's Banquets


  1. FADE IN


  2. Act 1


  3. INT. SITTING ROOM - 11:00


  4. Sitting on a sofa with his WIFE, PETER joins her to read some details on a laptop screen.


  5. PETER: The hotel's wedding banquet coordinator is quick to respond to our inquiry.


  6. WIFE: The venue we've in mind is available on our set date.


  7. PETER: But the "minimum spend" requirement is quite high.


  8. Peter's wife is in thoughts.


  9. PETER (Cont'd): I don't mind spending the money for our elder daughter. But our guess of the number of guests attending can be wrong.


  10. WIFE: True.


  11. PETER: Our elder daughter's wedding banquet will first be held in Busan. It's uncertain if guests would also join the Hong Kong banquet later.


  12. WIFE: Let's spell out our preferences to the coordinator...Meanwhile, I've to go a farewell lunch for me.


  13. PETER: Oh, let me take your car lift. I've an afternoon meeting to attend.

  14. Act 2


  15. EXT. CAR PARK, CENTRAL GOVT OFFICES -12:25


  16. At the driver seat, Peter's wife talks to the GATE KEEPER.


  17. WIFE: I come in to pick up colleagues to lunch...


  18. PETER (V.O): My wife surrendered her car park label here before taking our trip to Seoul/Busan.


  19. INT. TIM HO WAN, IFC - 13:15


  20. Crowded. Peter shares a long table with about a dozen CUSTOMERS, many of them chatting in foreign languages.


  21. PETER (V.O.): It was my wife who first took me here to have delicious dim sum during lunch time.

  22. A bowl of Steamed Rice with Dried Squids and Pork Patty is put on Peter's side.


  23. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The waiting time for a single customer is actually short. I can join other single customers, or parties of three or five etc.


  24. INT. HONG KONG CLUB BUILDING - 15:15


  25. Sitting with the CHAIR at the head of a conference table, Peter listens to the presentations and exchanges intently and offers his insights enthusiastically.


  26. PETER (V.O.): I'm determined to create and deliver value.


  27. INT. SITTING ROOM - 18:00


  28. Returning, Peter sees his wife checking something on her laptop.


  29. WIFE: The hotel banquet coordinator has made a counter offer that aligns with our preferences.


  30. PETER: Great! Let us pay our deposit...


  31. WIFE: Well, let me explore at least two offers from other hotels.


  32. Peter nods.


  33. PETER (V.O.): It's good that she maintains a sense of purpose during her transitioning-out.


  34. WIFE (Cont'd): I've to attend a farewell dinner for me now...


  35. INT. DINING ROOM - 20:30


  36. Peter and the younger DAUGHTER sit at the dining table, enjoying a quiet dinner together.


  37. PETER (V.O.): When our younger daughter was studying in England, my wife longed for her return to Hong Kong.


  38. Pausing.


  39. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Having stayed home for a year or so, our younger daughter follows her passion and is going to further her studies, in Japan this time.


  40. FLASHBACK


  41. EXT/INT. GOVT OFFICES - DAY (1989)


  42. Escalators. Peter (35) is observing the demeanours of BERTIE (48), a Principal Crown Counsel, towards a girl (10s).


  43. PETER (V.O.): My boss loves his daughter very much.


  44. Later, in the office, Peter chats with Bertie.


  45. PETER:...I suppose you'd agree to any of your daughter's requests...


  46. BERTIE: How can a father say "No" to a daughter?


  47. RETURN TO PRESENT


  48. PETER (V.O.): Bertie was instrumental in promoting me to the rank of Senior Crown Counsel in 1988. From then on, he became my good-father model.


  49. Pausing.


  50. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): My wife is also very busy in finding an appropriate residence for our younger daughter.


  51. Act 3


  52. INT. SITTING ROOM - 23:00


  53. Peter inserts an AI drawing entitled "Life's Banquets" to a text.


  54. PETER (V.O): The different facets of life such as family, work and relationship resemble limitless and delicious banquets.

  55. Pausing.


  56. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Banquets signify grand celebrations or gatherings, symbolizing the experiences and joy that life has to offer.


  57. Reflecting.


  58. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I appreciate the diversities, richness and abundance of life experiences that make up a fulfilling life.


  59. FADE OUT


  60. THE END



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