FADE IN
Act 1
INT. STUDIO - 20:15
Sitting comfortably in a sofa with a smartphone in hand, PETER strolls through his Facebook feed.
PETER (V.O): 我有—個好家庭 (I've a Good Family)?
Intrigued, Peter taps the link to listen to the clip.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I remember this song...I sang a little when I was a boy.
We continue hearing sweet tunes and uplifting lyrics.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Back then, I loved the tune, but I didn't know all the Mandarin lyrics.
Peter's eyes brighten.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Now, I speak Mandarin well enough to understand every line - the sister and brother featured in the song want to become famous singers.
Smiling.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I had the same dream too.
Act 2
MONTAGE OF YOUNG PETER'S FAMILY ACTIVITIES IN THE 1960S
A. Chicken farm, morning. The sounds of roosters crowing fill the air. Hens scratch at the earth and peck at the ground.
B. Chicken shed, later. Peter's GRANDMOTHER (60s) checks feeders and waterers.
C. Chicken shed, afternoon. Hearing a series of loud cracks from the hens, Peter goes to collect eggs.
D Chicks' coop, evening. Peter watches the fluffy chicks huddling together under a heat lamp.
E. Parent's bedroom. Sharing a handwritten song book, Peter and his MOM (30s) sing songs.
END MONTAGE
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): That's how my mom and I entertained ourselves after dinner.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): My Dad had endless household chores to do. My siblings were very young.
The playing ends.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Who wrote this beautiful song?
Peter researches with his smartphone.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): The composer was MIn Yao (姚敏). He was a prolific song writer but died in 1967 at the age of 49.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): The lyricist was 陳蝶衣. He wrote lyrics for thousands of songs. He died in 2007 at the age of 99.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): In 1996, I had a lengthy exchange with him...
FLASHBACK
INT. HALL, HKCEE - NIGHT (1996)
CASH Annual Dinner. Filled with laughter and applause. Dressed in a suit, Peter (42) sits next to 陳蝶衣 (88). He chats with him
PETER (V.O): Wow, you're the lyricist of 南屏晚鐘...
Then, we hear MCs announcing on stage:...the lifetime achievement award goes to 陳蝶衣!
RETURN TO PRESENT
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): It was my honour to have met him.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): It was until 2010 that I was motivated to become a singer-songwriter. Now, I can truly appreciate the beauty of his lyrics.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): My song lyrics are in Cantonese, English, Mandarin or their combinations. Recently, I've added Korean.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I'm planning the setlist of a HKUST farewell party next Spring.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Can I write more? Can I write better?
Contemplating.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): If I can create a fraction of the beauty that 姚敏 and 陳蝶衣 crafted, I'd have no regrets.
Peter leans back, envisioning the melodies and lyrics yet to come.
Act 3
INT. STUDIO - 21:30
Listening to oldies, Peter inserts an AI drawing entitled "The Soundtrack of Home..." into a draft screenplay on his laptop.
PETER (V.O): Music has the power to evoke memories and emotions, connecting to my past and to my loved ones.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): It's never too late to pursue passions and improve skills. Creativity in us evolves over a lifetime.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Creating musical, literary, artistic and dramatic works can be a way to honour one's journey, and the connections made along the way.
FADE OUT
THE END
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