Don't Cry For Us, Please

FADE IN:

INT. SLEEPING ROOM - NIGHT

The bedside table clock displays: 01:45. Leaning against the bed back, the tired Peter continues to key his smart phone.

PETER (V.O.)

As I've drafted that much,

I might as well finish the

answer before I sleep.

INT. SLEEPING ROOM - DAY

Waking up, Peter taps the Quora App icon. He sees against another star-sign icon the statement: Peter, you crossed 2,500 views on your answers today!

PETER (V.O.)

That explains why I seem

to have got addicted to it.

Pausing.

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

I want to scale up the

possible political impact

I can make for Hong

Kong.

Pausing.

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

I want to influence them

to think of other angles

otherwise they wouldn't

think.

Pausing.

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

I used not to write about

politics as they're transient.

But when Hong Kong's

well-being is at stake, I

just can't hide.

Then he reads a long list of questions: ... "requested your answer to...", and some upvotes.

PETER (V.O.)

Just wait. I've to file my

my tax return today.

Kaji, Peter's pet, jumps up onto the bed and comes close to Peter.

PETER

Yes, you're waiting too.

INT. SITTING ROOM - DAY

Finishing his breakfast with Kaji, Peter grabs his phone.

PETER (V.O.)

Among the questions, I've

to give priority to this one.

We see the question on the screen:

How should western powers react if China sends their military into Hong Kong to put down all resistance?

Peter types his answer:

All resistance in Hong Kong now are to disrupt her social order, stability and prosperity. It is populist, anti-government and violent in character.

Back in 1972, Britain agreed, and other UN Members did not object, that Hongkongers do not enjoy the international human right of self-determination.

Peter stops.

FLASHBACK

INT. CONFERENCE HALL, GENEVA - DAY (SPRING 1997)

Behind the plague ROYAUMI-UNI sits GENTLEMEN#1 & 2 (50s) and Peter (43). As the conference ends, Peter shakes hands with the gentlemen.

PETER

Thank you both for

all the support during

my tenure as a United

Kingdom delegate...

GENTLEMAN#1

(Emotional)

Peter, I feel very sorry

for you... Hong Kong...

...China...

Peter smiles embarrassingly.

PETER

Yes...next time, I'll sit

with the China delegation.

INT. CONFERENCE HALL, GENEVA (Autumn 1997)

Waking past the row of seats with plagues beginning with R, Peter proceeds the row beginning with plagues C. He then joins the CHINE delegation.

END FLASHBACK

Like waking up from a trance, Peter continues to type:

Hong Kong is now constitutionally an inalienable part of China. It is against international law for any power to interfere with China's domestic affairs.

Hong Kong's political destiny was in the hands of Britain and other western powers. But Hong Kong's fate has been sealed. Just don't cry for us, please.

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

The questioner and

viewers probably don't

know the antecedent. But

what I've answered are

the historical facts.

Pausing.

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

Yes, don't cry for us,

please.

FADE OUT. The End

#DontCryForUsPlease