Unseen Threats
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Jan 10
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 1
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. STUDY - 09:30
Cluttered. Smartphone in hand, PETER is reading a paper.
PETER (V.O): Should I approve the extensions of the startups' convertible notes?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Their growth trajectories are quite promising.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): They need more time to stabilize though.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I believe they've a low default risk.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): But extensions can create management headaches down the line.
Act 2
INT. TUNG WAH HOSPITAL - 12:15
Ward. Faint sounds of a TV in the background. ALFRED is bedridden. His WIFE and Peter stand at the edges of the bed.
PETER: Alfred, have you watched TV? There're wildfires in Southern California, destroying over 1000 homes.
ALFRED: Why?
PETER: Prolonged droughts create dry vegetaton, which serves as fuel for fires.
Pausing.
PETER (Cont'd): Accidental ignitions, such as campfires or power lines, contribute to fire outbreaks.
Alfred listens attentively.
PETER (Cont'd): Many of the native plants are highly flammable and adapted to fire, allowing the blazes to spread quickly.
Pausing.
PETER (Cont'd): The strong dry winds can rapidly spread fires by carrying embers over long distances.
Alfred nods.
PETER (Cont'd): I've relatives living in Pasadena, and a music friend living in Brentwood. I worry about them.
Pausing.
PETER (Cont'd): But I know fire insurance is still accessible and affordable there.
Pausing.
PETER (Cont'd): My wife has secured third-party liability insurance for all my premises. We had two instances of water leakages and were able to control our damage.
Pausing.
PETER (Cont'd): Incidentally, are your premises insured?
Alfred and his wife look at each other.
ALFRED'S WIFE: When our premises were under mortgage, we're obliged to buy the insurance policy. But after that...I left it to Alfred.
Peter nods.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): We began our careers in housing management.
EXT. SUN YAT SEN PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL - 13:45
Just a few SWIMMERS. Peter swims leisurely.
PETER (V.O): Since mid-Dec last year, Hong Kong has been quite cold. Swimming here, I don't have to worry about suffering from hypothermia.
INT. STUDIO - 16:15
Smartphone in hand, Peter checks an incoming message: Your sell order has been rejected.
PETER (V.O): In order to settle my tax payments timely, I've to capitalize on my blue chips...See if I can sell them next week.
INT. LIVING ROOM - 20:07
Relaxing on a sofa, Peter sees an incoming WhatsApp message.
PETER (V.O): Malcolm is seeking my copyright advice again.
Researching, Peter reads a judgment on screen.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Oh, the Judge can't agree with Judge Laddie's dicta. I know the Professor.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): He died of cancer at the age of 62.
Act 3
INT. STUDY - 21:30
Peter inserts an AI drawing titled: "Unseen Threats..." to a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O): Wildfires often start unnoticed and can escalate quickly, reflecting the unpredictability of nature.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): In addition to wildfires, there're unseen threats in other areas such as financial security, personal safety and health.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Appearances offer a glimpse into the unseen, the greatest threats may lie unnoticed in the background.
FADE OUT
THE END
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