FADE IN:
INT. ROAD - DAY
Car radio is on. PETER drives his teenage DAUGHTER (18). We hear:"...mild and light...less harm...e-cigarette...trendy of teenagers..."
FLASHBACK
INT. ROAD - DAY
A cigarette packet in his shirt pocket, Peter (16) lights a cigarette clumsily.
PETER (V.O.)
It's a symbol that I've
grown up. I can do what
adults do.
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Having tried once, that
was enough. I knew smoking
was harmful. I believe my
maternal grandma died
because of that. But in
2006, anti-smoking lobbysts
thought I was a champion
cigarette brands.
FLASHBACK
INT. OFFICE - DAY (2006)
Papers on his desk, Peter (52) reads incoming emails anxiously. Phone rings.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Hong Kong has not lived up
its international legal obligations?
How can that be! If Govt
wanted to apply any IP-related
treaties to the HKSAR, we would
be consulted beforehand.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Hong Kong hasn't lived up to
its obligations under the World
Health Organization Framework
Convention on Tobacco Control
FCTC? Trademarks with
descriptive labels such as "mild"
and "light" are prohibited. Oh
my God! We haven't been
notified until the lobbyists come
up to see us!
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
It's a crisis and I've to salvage
the operation.
INT. MEETING ROOM - DAY
A few LADIES and GENTLEMEN.
PETER (V.O.)
For trademark applications
with such misleading
descriptors for cigarettes,
we'll stop processing them
with immediate effect.
Upon hearing that, LADY#1 (50s) looks unhappy.
LADY#1
Why do we have to bother
with public health issue?
PETER (V.O.)
The other bureau tabled
the Smoking (Public Health)
Bill 2005 to implement the
FCTC. The IP issue has just
surfaced. Govt as a whole
has to implement its
international legal obligations.
END FLASHBACK
.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd)
She was never pleased with
the sudden change of practice
and quit her job. I tried
hard to persuade her to
stay but circumstances were
taken over by events..
Peter sighs.
FLASHBACK
INT. LEGISLATIVE CHAMBERS - DAY
Formal and solemn. Sitting in the front row, Peter speaks but LEGISLATORS are not amused.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
There's property right in the
registered trademarks. To
expropriate private property
would result in adequate
and prompt compensation.
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Against all odds, I managed
to act as a custodian of IP.
The anti-smoking lobbyists
seemed to understand my
IP position. And I made
friends with administrators
and public health officials.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Years later, I was touched to
know that they would still
recall my contribution in
the legislative process.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
It was actually one of my
achievement in crisis
management in the 2000s-
my mild and light footprints
I left behind in the sands
of time!
Peter parks the car and offloads pieces of baggage.
FADE OUT. The End