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Writer's picturePeter K F Cheung SBS

Stay Strong

  1. FADE IN.


  2. Act 1


  3. INT. STUDY - 07:00


  4. PETER is studying papers in files.


  5. PETER (V.O.): I tend to remember and learn things well soon before I've to act.


  6. Peter reads and jots notes occasionally.


  7. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've got two important assignments tomorrow. One is to issue a domain name decision as the principal panelist. The other is to appear in an adjourned hearing.


  8. Reading.


  9. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've done lots of preparatory work during the last weekend. I asked my wife to help on word processing.


  10. Reading.


  11. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I issued a draft decision in Chinese to co-panelist on Sunday afternoon. And I issued the final draft of my English stuff on Monday this week.


  12. Reading.


  13. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Apart from my co-panelists' feedback, I'm feeling the calm before the storm.


  14. Act 2


  15. INT. BATHROOM - NOON


  16. Peter is playing with his pet turtles.


  17. PETER (V.O.): They feel comfortable to stick their necks out.


  18. Peter lets them bite his fingers.


  19. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I take them as love bites. They don't have any teeth.


  20. Peter massages their necks and shoulders.


  21. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): They know I won't harm them.


  22. Peter touches their hands.


  23. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Just slow down and don't worry. Trust the friendly engagement.


  24. As the family pet joins, Peter grabs a banana near the sink with another hand.

  25. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): We like eating bananas.


  26. As the pet licks her upper and lower lips, Peter passes the partly-peeled banana for her to enjoy.


  27. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That's how I entertain dog and the turtles at home.


  28. INT. SITTING ROOM - 13:00


  29. Music in the background. We hear: Streets full of people, all alone. Roads full of houses, never home...


  30. PETER (V.O.): I love listening to oldies.


  31. Then we hear repeats: Everyone's gone to the moon...


  32. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Gone to the moon? That was the dream in the mid-1960s.


  33. When the song ends, Peter surfs the web. Then, a black-and-white video clip begins to play.


  34. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The first time I watch this video clip.


  35. On screen, we see a singer singing while sitting on a stool.


  36. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That's the most awkward posture I've ever seen.


  37. We hear more verses of the song: Eyes full of sorrow, never wet. Hands full of money, all in debt...


  38. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The singer-songwriter is Jonathan King. What a royal name.


  39. Peter researches with his smartphone.


  40. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): He's 10 years older than me and went to Cambridge.


  41. Recalling.


  42. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When he released the record, I was a primary 5 pupil studying in Po Kok Branch School in Hung Shui Kiu.


  43. Reading.


  44. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): His simple and melodic song did storm the pop charts then.


  45. Pausing.


  46. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, I'm feeling the song's haunting appeal.


  47. Pausing.


  48. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It makes me miss my disconnected old friends and my past loved ones.


  49. Recalling.


  50. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And most of all, the glorious days and nights of being young.


  51. Recalling.


  52. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): One never knows the last time one sees a place or a person.


  53. Act 3


  54. INT. STUDY - 14:00


  55. Peter is in thoughts


  56. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Having lived for over 67 years, I can somewhat bend with the wind and weather any storm. Yes, stay strong.


  57. Pausing.


  58. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): All have to learn how to dance in the rain. I feel the calm as I'm preparing to meet the storm.


  59. Pausing.


  60. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I beat the storm again, I'm sure I'd feel the calm once more.


  61. FADE OUT


  62. THE END
















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