Life Sentences
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. STUDY - 08:30
Soft sunlight filters through the curtains. PETER sits on a sofa, reviewing case materials.
PETER (V.O.): Despite being preoccupied with my relationship, I'm determined not to neglect my visit to my client this afternoon.
Printing some papers.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Should I go swimming in the nearby pool or wait until after work to go to the Stanley beach?
Peter slips the papers into his brief case.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I take my daily swim as my way to maintain physical health.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Swimming through life teaches me to tackle challenge with resilience and grace.
Peter grabs his swimming gear.
Act 2
INT. TUNG TAU CORRRECTIONAL INSTITUTION - 14:00
Waiting room. Sitting side by side, Peter chats with IENA, an interpreter.
PETER: I've explored many sightseeing spots across Indonesia. Which part of Indonesia are you from?
IENA: I'm from the place celebrated in the song "Pengawan Solo."
PETER (Singing): Pengawan Solo...
IENA: "Pangawan" means river, "Solo" is the name of it. It's a song every Indonesian knows.
PETER: Yes, I love the song and have researched on its composer.
Iena looks surprised.
PETER (Cont'd): He wrote it in his early 20s without any formal music training. Just...feelling.
Iena nods, impressed.
PETER (Cont'd): I aspire to create something that lasts like that.
MONTAGE OF PETER'S MEETING WITH CLIENT IN AN INTERVIEW ROOM
A. Through Iena's interpretation, Peter explains the law and procedure.
B. Iena interpretes the contents of Peter's client's case. The client nods.
C. The Client signs the documents.
END MONTAGE
Exit. Stepping out from the main gate, Peter chats with Iena again
PETER: I served as a Justice of the Peace for 15 years and have visited nearly all the prisions in Hong Kong.
Pausing.
PETER (Cont'd): Every time I visit a prison, it reminds me of freedom's worth.
Iena nods.
PETER (Cont'd): As a lawyer in retirement, I do very little, especially since my wife also retired.
IENA: Most of the retirees I meet are having their second honeymoons.
Peter hesitates.
PETER: That was my dream, but we're actually drifting apart; we haven't talked to each other for a fortnight already.
Iena listens.
PETER (Cont'd): Maybe I'm just holding myself to a standard that my wife doesn't expect.
Iena studies Peter.
PETER (Cont'd): I was quite blind to the cues.
IENA: Peter, you should be kinder to yourself.
PETER: It wasn't too long ago that I realise the importance of being kind to myself.
Peter exhales.
EXT. ESTATE STREET - 17:00
Walking towards a residential estate, Peter is lost in thought.
PETER (V.O.): This morning, I didn't imagine I'd have someone emphatic to talk to in the afternoon.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Iena's remark that I should be kinder to myself resonates with me.
The sound of a cell door slamming echoes in silence.
Act 3
INT. STUDY - 22:30
Peter inserts an AI drawing titled: "Life Sentences..." to a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O): Prisons have walls. Life sentences have mirrors.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): The law deals in years. The soul deals in life sentences.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I might serve life sentences - grief, regret, what-ifs - until I grant myself parole.
FADE OUT
END
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