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Writer's picturePeter K F Cheung SBS

Long Time No See

  1. FADE IN


  2. Act 1


  3. INT. BEDROOM - 08:30


  4. PETER checks WeChat messages.


  5. PETER (V.O.): My friend hasn't come back to me. We haven't met for years. I've changed my work-life attitude.


  6. FLASHBACK


  7. INT. STUDY - NIGHT (YESTERDAY)


  8. Smart phone in hand, Peter reads WeChat messages and attachments.


  9. PETER (V.O.): Oh, immediately after his festive greetings, a friend sent me a business proposal and wanted to talk to me this morning.


  10. We see: Call cancelled by caller at 10.19.


  11. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I was out with my wife to buy breakfast.


  12. Peter types a 4-point remarks on screen.


  13. RETURN TO PRESENT


  14. Act 2


  15. EXT. GOLDEN BEACH - 12:40


  16. Sunny. Near lifeguard tower#2, Peter sees the Time/Temperature digital display indicating "12.40" and "37.6C" alternately.


  17. PETER (V.O.): I come here early today as I plan to visit my Mum later on.


  18. Seeing a stand blocking his entry, Peter reads the notice on it.


  19. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): "Due to shortage of lifeguards, the red flag has been hoisted..."?


  20. Peter notices the period: "12:00 - 13:00".


  21. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I see, the lifeguards are having lunch. But I can't wait to cool down.


  22. Towing a cyber-green buoy, Peter swims in the shallow water area. Soon, he sees a lifeguard on a raft joining him.


  23. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It must be 13:00 now. He should recognize my buoy. I'm a regular customer here.

  24. Braving the waves, Peter begins to swim towards the deep water area.


  25. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Good to see him round on a weekly basis.

  26. INT. APARTMENT, HUNG SHUI KIU - 14:40


  27. Door bell sounds. Peter's MUM opens the door and sees Peter carrying a few bags.


  28. MUM: Just then, I've gone downstairs to find you.


  29. PETER (V.O.): We met days ago. Having learned my Mum has a nutritional issue, I've brought her healthy food and drink.


  30. Later, while having steamed beef ball, fried egg vermicelli and Vitasoy, Peter's Mum talks endlessly to him.


  31. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Living alone, she needs someone to talk to.


  32. Later, Peter goes to the bathroom to check the toilet.


  33. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It seems that the cistern is OK. The water supply is problematic.


  34. Later, Peter's BROTHER enters, carrying a lot of food with him.


  35. BROTHER: I've brought fish fillets and eggs. I also want to help Mum find her I/D.


  36. Soon, a fix-line phone rings. Brother takes the call.


  37. BROTHER (To phone): ...Brother Fai is also here. Come tomorrow...


  38. PETER (V.O.): Family is family.


  39. EXT. PETER'S NT HOME - 16:30


  40. Arriving in his red coupe, Peter sees a van parking at the roadside. The gate is open and a MAN is coming out from the front garden.


  41. PETER (V.O.): Oh, what is he doing in my home in broad daylight?


  42. Getting out of his coupe, he sees the man greeting him.


  43. MAN: I remember your coupe's registration no. Long time no see!


  44. PETER: Oh, it's you! Long time no see! Many thanks for taking good care of my plants and grass!


  45. Recalling.


  46. PETER (V.O.): When I took over the premises in 1983, he was the caretaker representing the developer.


  47. Recalling.


  48. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): He demonstrated to me how to insert the aluminum screens of my house's doors and windows.


  49. MAN: Have you retired?


  50. PETER (Nodding): Look at my white hair. And you?


  51. MAN: Yes, for over 10 years now. I only do causal gardening now.

  52. .Act 3


  53. INT. BEDROOM - 23:30


  54. Peter reads phone notifications.


  55. PETER (V.O.): Business is Business. Friends are friends.


  56. Thinking.


  57. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Business built on friendship is better than business founded on friendship.


  58. Reflecting.


  59. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It takes a long time to keep and grow true friendship.


  60. THE END

  61. .

  62. FADE OUT

















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