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Writer's picturePeter K F Cheung SBS

Winter Solstice

  1. FADE IN


  2. Act 1


  3. EXT. STREET - 14:00


  4. A wet-haired PETER is walking towards an estate.


  5. PETER (V.O.): Tonight, we'll have dinner in my Mom's home.


  6. Seeing an incoming WhatsApp message, Peter types on his phone screen: Dinner around 8.pm, if you can come.


  7. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Today is Thursday. My elder son has to work very hard.


  8. Later, Peter sees another message, Peter types on screen: No hurry.

  9. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My plan is go to Hung Shui Kiu early with my younger daughter. She's rushing to join me.


  10. Pausing.


  11. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I believe it's a good tradition of my family. I'm taking the lead now.


  12. Copying the link of his song "Winter Solstice", we see Peter sharing it with his contacts and chatgroups.


  13. Act 2


  14. FLASHBACK


  15. INT. SITTING ROOM - NIGHT (MONTHS AGO)


  16. Peter is chatting with his WIFE.


  17. PETER: I've found out my Mom's chronic problem.


  18. Pausing.


  19. PETER (Cont'd): She has many bank books to keep and many bank statements to understand.


  20. Pausing.


  21. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And she doesn't enjoy going to banks anymore.


  22. Peter talks to his younger SON and DAUGHTER.


  23. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I therefore suggested to grandma that perhaps she might consider distributing her savings to her daughter and sons.


  24. Smiling.


  25. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And if so, we'd get it done in person in the banks on the Winter Solstice day.


  26. END FLASHBACK


  27. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If my Mom accepted my suggestion, I should be in the banks with my Mom and my siblings.


  28. Pausing.


  29. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): At age 92, my Mom still wants to save good money for the rainy days, assuming that she has to rely solely on herself.


  30. Pausing.


  31. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): True. She's living a lone. And we only visit her occasionally.


  32. Pausing.

  33. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I sensed the serious conditions Nana was in, I sold some stocks to ensure that money wouldn't be a problem.

  34. Pausing.


  35. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That however is an irrelevant consideration for our Winter Solstice gathering.


  36. Pausing.


  37. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But to have a family gathering on a Thursday is hard as my Mom isn't living in the urban area.


  38. On phone screen, Peter sees incoming Christmas and New Year Greetings.


  39. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): They're impersonal ones from institutions. Winter Solstice day is just another day.


  40. Recalling.


  41. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Long lost are the days when the Winter Solstice was celebrated with as much zest as the other holidays.


  42. Pausing.


  43. PETER (V.O.): On Winter Solstice, I feel the immense need to slowing down for good company.


  44. Recalling.


  45. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The Winter Solstice day is also special to me, as my late wife Sharon was born on that day in 1955.


  46. EXT. ROADS - 17:45


  47. Sunset. Peter is driving his daughter. Traffic jam. Phone rings. Peter sees caller: Mom.


  48. MOM (From phone): It's quite dark now. Are you coming in for dinner?


  49. PETER (To Phone): Yes, we're coming back...


  50. MOM (From phone): Do I have to wait for you downstairs?


  51. PETER: No, you just wait at home.

  52. Act 3


  53. INT. PETER'S MOM'S HOME - 21:45


  54. As Peter's FAMILY leaves, Peter's MOM insists they take some sweets from her.


  55. EXT. STREET - LATER


  56. Three cars appearing. Peter's sons drive the first one and the second one, and his wife the third one.


  57. PETER (V.O.): We made a great effort for the Winter Solstice dinner.


  58. Pausing.


  59. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Winter Solstice is a time of reflection, during the longest and darkness night of the year.


  60. Pausing.


  61. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): May this Winter Solstice and the rebirth of the sun bring all love, peace and good fortune in the coming year!


  62. THE END


  63. FADE OUT


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