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Writer's picturePeter K F Cheung SBS

Time Unwound

  1. FADE IN


  2. Act 1


  3. INT. STUDY - 08:45


  4. PETER, in smart causal wear, is in thoughts.


  5. PETER (V.O.): I want to swim in bay waters but I've a Zoom meeting at 11:00...

  6. Thinking.


  7. 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.


  8. Thinking.


  9. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): As I want to be seen, is it okay for me to break away from the usual dress code?


  10. Pausing.


  11. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Anyway, I've been working very hard even for voluntary work.


  12. Act 2


  13. EXT. DEEP WATER BAY - 10:30


  14. Gentle sunrays on calm waters. Dotted with three floating platforms.


  15. PETER (V.O.): Let me swim awhile first.


  16. Immersing himself in clear waters, Peter swims towards one floating platform.


  17. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I love the coolness and the refreshing touch of the water against my skin.

  18. Swimming.


  19. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Apart from washing away the heat, it invigorates and rejuvenates.


  20. Later, from the floating platform, we follow Peter to gaze at shades on the beach.


  21. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Let me pick one as my mobile office. The bay as the natural wallpaper should be nice.


  22. Under a shade, Peter joins a Zoom meeting with his smartphone. We see on screen the closeup of Peter's face.

  23. .

  24. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): The camera angle resolves the dress code issue, if there's any.


  25. EXT. ROADS TO CENTRAL - 12:45


  26. Sitting inside a bus, Peter is glued to his smartphone.


  27. PETER (V.O.): My wife isn't sure if she has time for lunch today.


  28. Checking WhatsApp.


  29. 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.


  30. Checking emails.


  31. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Meanwhile, I've lots of voluntary work appointments.


  32. Checking calendar.


  33. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): For all the work days Oct 3-10, I've been booked.


  34. INT. IFC - 13:15


  35. Walking towards a dim-sum restaurant.


  36. PETER (V.O.): I'm hungry and thirsty. If my wife isn't joining me, I still have to energize myself.


  37. Phone ringing.


  38. 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?


  39. PETER (to phone): Yes. I'm about to arrive at our usual eating place.


  40. WIFE: OK! I'm coming right away!


  41. EXT. MTR CABIN - 14:30


  42. Crowded. Peter's smartphone is ringing. Seeing "University Council" on screen, Peter takes it.


  43. 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.


  44. PETER (to phone): In person...


  45. We feel the caller ending the call happily.


  46. 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.


  47. INT. STUDIO - 15:00


  48. Peter is thinking of something.


  49. PETER (V.O.): If I don't plan my October travel now, it'd be more difficult for me to fix it.


  50. Peter surfs airline and booking websites for hours. We see many "unfinished bookings".


  51. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh dear, what a waste of time! Are my expectations unrealistic? Am I a perfectionist?


  52. Act 3


  53. INT. STUDY - 23:00

  54. Having input the prompt: "Time Unwound" in an AI art generator in his smartphone, Peter sees a cubist image appearing.


  55. 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.


  56. Reflecting.


  57. 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.


  58. Thinking.


  59. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Having ways to unwind is just as important as working very hard.


  60. FADE OUT


  61. THE END



























































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