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Writer's picturePeter K F Cheung SBS

Steamed Beef Balls

  1. FADE IN


  2. Act 1


  3. INT. STUDY - 9:30


  4. Smart phone in hand, PETER is talking to someone.


  5. PETER (To phone): Have I settled all my tax liability?


  6. SOMEONE (From phone): Yes, you've paid the whole sum on Feb 4.


  7. PETER : (To phone): But I haven't got any receipt.


  8. SOMEONE: We don't do that. But we can send one if you want.

  9. PETER (To phone): Yes, please.


  10. Ending the call, Peter looks pleased.


  11. PETER (V.O.): Good, I can focus to see what financial matters are bothering my Mum.


  12. Pausing.


  13. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Yesterday, my sister said Mum needed my help. Am I my Mum's main anchor?


  14. Act 2


  15. EXT. RESTAURANT, HUNG SHUI KIU - 11.45


  16. Having done orders, Peter waits for his takeaways.


  17. PETER (V.O.): Steamed beef balls should be particularly fine for my Mum.


  18. Peter takes a photo of stacks of bamboo steamers.


  19. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I always think it smart that Chinese use such eco-friendly bamboo steamers to cook and serve dim-sums.


  20. Pausing.


  21. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But I'm going to take away my dim-sums in foam containers.


  22. Peter checks a notice.


  23. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The restaurant will only resume full service on April 21.


  24. INT. PETER'S MUM'S HOME - 12:00


  25. Opening the foam containers, Peter's MUM (91) sees steamed beef balls and other buns.


  26. MUM: Wow! The steamed beef balls are so big.


  27. Peter's Mum opens her mouth to show Peter her only tooth.


  28. PETER: Don't worry.


  29. Peter uses chopsticks to cut a steamed beef ball into small pieces in a bowl before passing it to his Mum.


  30. PETER: Eat first.


  31. Capturing the moment, Peter sends the photo to the family chat group.


  32. PETER (V.O.): The Cheung family members should be pleased to eat her eating.


  33. PETER: Would you take the jabs so that you can go to restaurants?


  34. MUM: No! I'm OK now...No, I've already lost inches in height...


  35. Later, Peter's Mum passes bank books and deposit slips for Peter to see.


  36. MUM: I can't read the small prints. There're deadlines. I don't know what to do.


  37. Peter examines them one by one.


  38. PETER: Don't worry about your fixed deposits. The banks won't take the money away from you when they mature.


  39. Peter's Mum nods.


  40. PETER (Cont'd): An account freeze isn't a problem either, as no one can take your money away from ATMs.


  41. Peter's Mum smiles.


  42. INT. PETER'S NT HOME - 18:00


  43. Checking his smart phone, Peter sees a missed call.


  44. PETER (V.O.): Oh, it's from my Mum.


  45. Calling back, we hear the busy signal.


  46. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Is she calling me for help?


  47. As Peter repeats calling, the busy signal repeats.


  48. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Anything wrong? She's living alone. I must go back to her home and check...


  49. Peter's phone rings. We see on screen it's from Peter's wife.


  50. WIFE (From phone): Are you home yet?


  51. PETER: No.


  52. WIFE (From phone): Your Mum has called me to tell you to phone her when you're safe at home.


  53. Act 3


  54. INT. STUDY - 19:45


  55. Returning, Peter makes a call.


  56. PETER: Mum, have you eaten the remaining steamed beef ball?


  57. MUM: Yes! You're home! I feel good now!


  58. The conversation continues for a while.


  59. PETER (V.O.): The bond between mother and son remains unchanged by time and distance.


  60. Pausing.


  61. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): To visit Mum today reminds me how much I'm loved.


  62. FADE OUT


  63. THE END























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