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What Can I Do?

Peter Kam Fai Cheung SBS

FADE IN:

INT. STUDY - DAY

Waking up, PETER checks his Quora App messages.

PETER (V.O.)

Well, so many people

from all over the world

request my answers to

their questions!

Peter begins to type his answers.

FLASHBACK

INT. SLEEPING ROOM - DAY (July 27, 2019)

Waking up and seeing his WIFE sleeping sweet, Peter finds photos in his phone and inserts them into his "Monthly Travel" folder.

Ding! Peter checks a phone notification sees photos of three police cars with a message.

PETER (V.O.)

That allay a bit the fear

of my sister's family.

They don't know if the

protesters would attack

their home.

Peter keys the reply: That's only good for a few dozen arrests,

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

I actual fear the police

cars would attract the

protesters.

Pausing.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

What can I do? I've

already published my

blog post, calling people

to stop joining the

unlawful assemblies.

Going to the toilet, Peter sees a mail and looks curious.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

Why was Yuen Long

attacked? It's question

from a foreigner.

PETER (V.O.)

That I can explain from

the factual perspective.

At least, some people

can hear the full story.

Peter keys his answers in a few paragraphs.

Then, he sees another request: Can China's authorities allay Hong Kong's fears by addressing its frustrated democratic dreams? Peter answers.

INT. SLEEPING ROOM - DAY (July 28, 2019)

Waking up, Peter checks the Quora app and sees a list of requests to him from foreigners:

How can the agreement that Hong Kong will be allowed to govern itself for 50 years after the handover be enforced and what stops the mainland from simply ignoring it?

What benefits does Hong Kong bring to China?

Will the massive protests in Hong Kong be enough to stop the Chinese's Government's growing influence in the region?

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

Interesting questions require

answers...

Ding! Peter reads the What's App notification: We've to change our dinner gathering venue for a third time. The further away of our dining venue from the protests, the better. Safety is our number one concern.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

Our visiting friend from

US feels sorry for Hong

Kong...

Peter continues to type his answers.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

I derive satisfaction in

putting things into their

real contexts and help

distinguish perception

from reality.

Pausing.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

When I sat one of my

Philosophy exam papers

in the summer of 1981,

I spent full three hours

writing on the topic.

INT. SLEEPING ROOM - DAY (July 29, 2019)

Waking up, Peter checks the Quora App messages.

PETER (V.O.)

Wow! So many views;

upvotes too! And many

other requests...

Peter reads:

Are the demonstrators in Hong Kong mainly from the poor people with lower education levels?

What will the future of Hong Kong look like after the extradition protest?

Has extradition related issues in Hong Kong escalated into aspirations in becoming democratic?

Why are Hong Kong police firing tear gas in residential areas?

Are the protests in Hong Kong showing any signs of stopping?

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

Let me answer these

politically-charged questions

one by one.

INT. CLUBHOUSE - DAY

A wet-haired Peter checks his Quora App.

PETER (V.O.)

This one seems urgent.

Peter examines the question:

The Chinese Macau and Hong Kong office in Hong Kong is making an unprecedented media announcement. Is China losing patience?

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

It's still hours away from

the annoucement.

Peter keys his answer.

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

I hope he's just curious

and isn't speculating on

something.

INT. STUDY - DAY

BBC reports the announcement live.

PETER (V.O.)

Good. My answer in

advance is correct!

END FLASHBACK

PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)

These are the little

things I can do to make good the Hong

Kong story.

FADE OUT. The End

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