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  • Writer's picturePeter K F Cheung SBS

Parental Curiosity

  1. FADE IN


  2. Act 1


  3. EXT. ST. STEPHEN'S COLLEGE - 11:-00


  4. Getting off from a bus with a COUPLE, PETER checks the bus's route number shown on its front screen.


  5. PETER (V.O.): It's actually "6X". I thought it was "6A' when I boarded it at Central.


  6. College entrance. We hear the Couple enquiring with the GUARD.


  7. COUPLE: Can we get in?


  8. GUARD: No. It isn't open to the public.


  9. PETER (V.O.): Some tourists think that this is the most beautiful College in Hong Kong.


  10. Peter takes photos of the College.


  11. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): In the 2000s, my son had his secondary schooling here, and he was a boarder.


  12. Leaving.


  13. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Upon graduation, he furthered his matriculation and university education in UK.


  14. Act 2


  15. EXT. ST. STEPHEN'S BAY - 12:00


  16. Resting on a round floating platform in the swimming area, Peter focuses on the beach landscape.


  17. PETER (V.O.): The building with the contemporary design is the extension of St. Stephen College's Preparatory School.


  18. Recalling.


  19. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): My son had his primary schooling there. At the age of 5 1/2, he was already a boarder.


  20. MONTAGE OF GRANDPA AND GRANDSON (1992-1995).


  21. A. Kindergarten. Yuen Long. Peter's SON (2 1/2) was a pupil there.

  22. B. Light rail. Boarding, Peter's son secures a seat for GRANDPA aggressively.


  23. C. Tin Shui Wai landscape. Sitting at the back of Grandpa's bicycle, Peter's son enjoys the ride.


  24. END MONTAGE


  25. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): In 1995, I persuaded the Principal to admit my son. I felt good to invest in him.


  26. Recalling.


  27. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): He'd stay in the School from Sunday evenings till Friday afternoons.


  28. Recalling.


  29. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): My parents and I strived to visit him on Wednesday afternoons - the only permitted visiting time.


  30. Recalling.


  31. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): For the first year, it was particularly hard for my son. The Warden told me that he cried for no particular reasons.


  32. Recalling.


  33. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): While it was heaven on earth when he's home, it was hell when it was time to drive him back to School.


  34. Recalling.


  35. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): It was relatively better when my son established alternative bondage and attachment.


  36. FLASHBACK


  37. INT. HOME - DAY (1999)


  38. Holding a video-game handset, Peter's son (10) talks to Peter.


  39. SON: Dad, I'm not going back to School anymore. I just want to play video games at home...


  40. PETER: If so, you've to support yourself. You need to earn money to buy your video games.


  41. SON: I'll find a job...


  42. END FLASHBACK


  43. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I believe the Sharon in me resolved the crisis timely.


  44. Recalling.


  45. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Accepting she's dying, Sharon regretted her curiosity about our son's talents and career developments would be frustrated untimely.


  46. Recalling.


  47. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Playing many musical instruments herself, Sharon hoped that our son would become a cellist.


  48. Pausing.


  49. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I instructed our son to pick up cello and he did play the cello in the School/College orchestras. But now, he has better things to do.


  50. Pausing.


  51. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I've a great sense of regret and wonder about what could have been if Sharon had been here to witness our son's growth and development.


  52. Act 3


  53. EXT. STANLEY BUS STATION - 14:30


  54. Waiting to board a Route 736 bus, Peter is in thoughts.


  55. PETER (V.O.): Sharon had faith in me that I'd be a good father and our son would be well-nurtured.


  56. Typing natural language in his smartphone, Peter instructs his 文心一言 assistant.


  57. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): See if she can depict "Parental Curiosity".

  58. As he sees an impressionistic AI drawing of a mother carrying a kid appearing on screen, Peter nods.


  59. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Through its vibrant colours and intricate details, it suggests Sharon's care, love and support of our son are everlasting.


  60. FADE OUT


  61. THE END




































































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