Moments That Matter

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   FADE IN

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3. Act 1

5. INT. LIVING ROOM - 14:45

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7. Cosy. PETER joins his WIFE on the sofa. His wife shows him a video clip on her smartphone.

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9. PETER: You've captured yesterday's wedding video of Natalie and Ray...

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11. WIFE: They're meaningful moments...I was surprised that the video had a snapshot including my late pets, Phillis and BB.

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13. Peter examines an old happy birthday group photo with his wife.

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15. PETER (Cont'd): It was my nephew Sing's birthday...My smiling Mom was holding the baby Natalie in her arms...You'd Phillis and BB...

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17. Pausing.

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19. PETER (Cont'd): My son was in kindergarten... I was 39, my l sister 42, and my Mom 60...

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21. WIFE: Phillis was three years old, and BB just one...I didn't give BB the due care she deserved...

23. PETER (V.O): Then, we had many commitments...

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25. Act 2

27. MONTAGE OF YESTERDAY'S ACTIONS

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29. A. Public swimming pool, morning. Peter swims his daily laps in different styles.

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31. B. Study, afternoon. Peter writes and publish his daily screenplay.

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33. C. Road, later. Stopping his car before the traffic lights, Peter completes his daily language quest as his wife looks on.

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35. INT. ELDERLY HOME - 15:15

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37. Common room. Peter and his wife see their MOM sitting in a wheelchair waiting with a NURSE by her side.

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39. PETER: Mom, do you remember who I'm?

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41. WIFE: Mom once remarked that those engaging her kindly must be her relatives.

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43. MOM (smiling widely): You're my elderest son!

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45. NURSE: We know her granddaughter is getting married today and she'll have the joy of witnessing the ceremony, and joining the banquet.

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47. INT. STARRY TERRACE - 16:00

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49. Lift lobby. Peter, his wife and her MOM (93) in a wheelchair, appear. A STAFF greets them.

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51. STAFF: The first guests have arrived.

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53. PETER (V.O): I wasn't sure how it'd go. Driving here and coming up turned out to be smoother than I expected.

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55. STAFF: The 5pm wedding ceremony will be at the roof garden. There's a special lift to go up...The sun shines brightly now.

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57. Banquet hall. At a head table, Peter's wife gently spoons Peter's Mom with soft fish congee. With no teeth, Peter's Mom eats slowly but contentedly.

59. PETER: 4:30pm has been her dinner time at the elderly home.

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61. Roof garden. Crowded with GUESTS. Peter holds an umbrella above her Mom, shielding her from the bright sunshine, ensuring she's comfortable and protected.

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63. PETER: Your granddaughter is getting married soon.

65. Peter's Mom claps along with the crowd at key moments, her toothless smile wide and joyful.

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67. PETER (V.O): It's wonderful to see my Mom break away from the routine of the elderly home, even if just for a day.

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69. Banquet hall. Head table. Wedding cakes on the table, Peter's Mom, with a spark of determination in her eyes, picks up a fork and carefully helps herself to a slice. Peter and his brother, WING watch with quiet admiration.

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71. WING: I buy her soft cakes whenever I visit her... she can consume many slices.

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73. PETER: Despite having no teeth, she manage to swallow the soft cake with ease.

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75. WING: She used to eat lots of Sugus candies.

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77. PETER (V.O): I've forgotten about that...I stopped eating Sugus candies as I hated toothaches and feared tooth extractions. The sweetness wasn't worth the pain.

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79. Later, the banquet begins. Peter's other SIBLINGS and SPOUSES join the head table.

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81. WAITRESS: Who would like to have brandy, wine or beer?

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83. KEUNG: We don't drink.

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85. PETER (V.O): Have I set an example for my brothers?

87. Then, Peter is busy eating his Mom's portion of food.

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89. PETER: Who can help?

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91. As Peter looks around the table, Ming Ming offers some support.

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93. PETER (to the waitress): Please take away my Mom's portion. She's toothless.

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95.  Later, when sweet soup and pudding are served, Peter's Mom helps herself to them with a spoon and a pair of chopsticks, as the siblings and spouses look on.

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97. WING: Mom is till very good in using chopsticks.

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99. MOM: I'm full now.

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101. PETER (V.O): I had planned that we'd skip the dessert and leave early. How wrong I was!

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103. RETURN TO PRESENT

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105. Act 3

107. INT. LIVING ROOM - 20:30

109. Peter inserts an AI drawing titled: "Moments That Matter..." to a draft on his laptop.

111. PETER (V.O): I don't remember days. I remember moments. Life is a collection of moments.

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113. Thinking.

115. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Moments that matter are the moments that make me feel alive.

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117. Reflecting.

119. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): The moments of happiness I cherish most are the ones that take me by surprise. It's not that I chase them - it's that they find me, and leave me forever changed.

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121. FADE OUT

123. THE END