FADE IN
Act 1
INT. STUDY - 08:45
PETER, in smart causal wear, is in thoughts.
PETER (V.O.): I want to swim in bay waters but I've a Zoom meeting at 11:00...
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): As the subject is familiar to me, I'll just do it at the beach. Time is very valuable to me.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): As I want to be seen, is it okay for me to break away from the usual dress code?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Anyway, I've been working very hard even for voluntary work.
Act 2
EXT. DEEP WATER BAY - 10:30
Gentle sunrays on calm waters. Dotted with three floating platforms.
PETER (V.O.): Let me swim awhile first.
Immersing himself in clear waters, Peter swims towards one floating platform.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I love the coolness and the refreshing touch of the water against my skin.
Swimming.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Apart from washing away the heat, it invigorates and rejuvenates.
Later, from the floating platform, we follow Peter to gaze at shades on the beach.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Let me pick one as my mobile office. The bay as the natural wallpaper should be nice.
Under a shade, Peter joins a Zoom meeting with his smartphone. We see on screen the closeup of Peter's face.
.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): The camera angle resolves the dress code issue, if there's any.
EXT. ROADS TO CENTRAL - 12:45
Sitting inside a bus, Peter is glued to his smartphone.
PETER (V.O.): My wife isn't sure if she has time for lunch today.
Checking WhatsApp.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I also expect responses from other quarters by today as it's a special day to me 44 years ago.
Checking emails.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Meanwhile, I've lots of voluntary work appointments.
Checking calendar.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): For all the work days Oct 3-10, I've been booked.
INT. IFC - 13:15
Walking towards a dim-sum restaurant.
PETER (V.O.): I'm hungry and thirsty. If my wife isn't joining me, I still have to energize myself.
Phone ringing.
WIFE (from phone): Sorry, I was so focused in my work that I didn't see your WhatsApp message and didn't check the time. Are you still around?
PETER (to phone): Yes. I'm about to arrive at our usual eating place.
WIFE: OK! I'm coming right away!
EXT. MTR CABIN - 14:30
Crowded. Peter's smartphone is ringing. Seeing "University Council" on screen, Peter takes it.
CALLER (from phone): Mr Cheung, about the meeting coming Monday, I presume you're able to join. I just want to confirm if you're joining in person or via Zoom.
PETER (to phone): In person...
We feel the caller ending the call happily.
PETER (V.O.): My practice is to join in person unless I think the meeting doesn't worth my spending the travelling time on it.
INT. STUDIO - 15:00
Peter is thinking of something.
PETER (V.O.): If I don't plan my October travel now, it'd be more difficult for me to fix it.
Peter surfs airline and booking websites for hours. We see many "unfinished bookings".
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh dear, what a waste of time! Are my expectations unrealistic? Am I a perfectionist?
Act 3
INT. STUDY - 23:00
Having input the prompt: "Time Unwound" in an AI art generator in his smartphone, Peter sees a cubist image appearing.
PETER (V.O.): Unwound is a release from the constraints of time. In planning my October holiday, I've a break from my structured routines today.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Although I haven't fixed my trip yet, I feel like I've already explored a journey where time becomes more fluid and open-ended.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Having ways to unwind is just as important as working very hard.
FADE OUT
THE END
Comments