Charlie's Story

FADE IN:

INT. LIBRARY ROOM - DAY

JOHN (80s) speaks in front of a backdrop: "Professor John Sexton - Challenges Facing American Universities Today." PETER sits in the front row, actively listening.

SPEAKER

(In the Brooklyn accent)

Charlie had a PhD. It was

in 1955. He would instruct

us...

PETER (V.O.)

I was just one year old.

SPEAKER

(Imitating Charlie)

"Boys... " He'd take us

to our first meal in a

restaurant.

PETER (V.O.)

The story is 64-year old.

Charlie must have a great

impact on him in every way.

The speaker got a PhD

in Theology and a JD. He

was the Law Dean and the

President of NYU.

SPEAKER

NYU's security guards call

me either Sir or Dr. They

don't call me John, even

when I ask them to do so.

They say it's out of respect.

PETER (V.O.)

Non professionals call me

Mr Cheung. I simply treat it

as my nickname.

A beat.

SPEAKER

Astrophysicists spend a lot

of time investigating the

first second...

PETER (V.O.)

That first second distinguishes

astrophysics from metaphysics.

A beat.

SPEAKER

In order to be persuasive,

we've to make others hearing

our arguments.

PETER (V.O.)

That's true. The willingness

to understand is crucial.

SPEAKER

For champion debaters,

they've to listen very

attentively otherwise

they can't give a reasoned

reply and can't make any

points at a higher level.

The speaker and Peter have eye contacts.

PETER (V.O.)

I always listen very actively

so that I might engage.

There's no point to go to a

lecture just to have a nap.

SPEAKER

When I was at Harvard

Law School, we spent time

doing critical legal analysis

on cases that were

meaningless.

PETER (V.O.)

Anything to do with American

realism?

A beat.

SPEAKER

...My wife passed away

years ago...very suddenly

but peacefully...

PETER (V.O.)

Oh, he's an emotional guy.

We share some attributes.

But I wouldn't volunteer

that in public.

Hands clapping. Panel discussion follows. Floor opened.

Questions posed and answered. The MODERATOR can't

see Peter's hand gesture.

PETER (V.O.)

Never mind. I just want

to raise a point on learning

about learning. I can engage

him during the reception.

INT. UNIVERSITY BAR - DAY

Refreshments on side table. LADIES and GENTLEMEN with drinks in hand mingle. Finishing some refreshments, Peter engages the speaker.

PETER

Hi John! I call you John out

of respect.

The speaker and a University PRESIDENT smile.

PRESIDENT

Yes, just call him Peter.

PETER

(To the Speaker)

I love your story about

Charlie.

SPEAKER

(Smiling)

My faculty members and

students in NY, Abu dhabi

and Shanghai all love

my Charlie's story.

PETER

You're fortunate to have

Charlie's impact on you

when you're young.

SPEAKER

(Nodding)

My late wife queried me

whether Charlie actually

said what I relayed.

PETER

So it's the Charlie in you...

SPEAKER

(Smiling)

Never mind. But we did

take good care of Charlie

in his final five years.

PETER

About learning on learning,

I believe the best should

teach the youngest. But few

can have that sort of privilege.

The speaker acknowledges a MALE STUDENT (20s) joining.

SPEAKER

(Nodding)

That's why I've written a

book so that my message

can spread further than

NYU.

The speaker acknowledges a FEMALE STUDENT (20s) joining.

PETER

(Nodding)

That's a good way to do

knowledge transfer. Looking

back, do you see yourself

more of a theologian than

a lawyer, or vice versa?

SPEAKER

(Smiling)

That's an interesting one.

An ASSISTANT comes forward to the speaker.

SPEAKER

I studied my PhD in Theology

because the stipend I got

could support my family. My

father died young.

Peter and the students gesture understanding.

SPEAKER (Cont'd)

(Smiling)

And soon after my admission

to Harvard Law School, I

met Lisa!

The speaker shows Peter and the students the lock screen of his smart phone. We see the picture of a beautiful woman. They knock hands before parting.

PETER (V.O.)

The back stories are even

more captivating!

FADE OUT. The End

#CharliesStory