FADE IN.
INT. STUDY - NIGHT
Working behind a computer, a TV news remark gets Peter's attention.
BIDEN
(On TV Screen)
If you disagree with
me, you must be
mad!
INT. STUDY - DAY
Ding! Someone sends PETER a video clip. We see there's a comment: They are beyond reasoning.
PETER (V.O.)
It's from my former
law lecturer,now friend -
an Oxford U graduate...
My HKU law classmates
sent the same video
clip to me last night.
Let me watch it again.
We see on Peter's phone screen a silver-haired GENTLEMAN#1 in suit without a tie, accompanied by GENTLEMAN#2 (50s) in suit with a tie, are being shouted at by a group of PEOPLE IN BLACK.
GENTLEMAN#1
(On screen)
Violence does not solve
any problems. You're
HKU students.You can
do better. You must do
better... You fight for
democracy, it's a lifetime
commitment...
WOMAN#1 IN BLACK
(Charged)
And how many people
we've got to sacrifice!
We hear a shout (off screen): Why don't you go to die!
GENTLEMAN#1
We're better...We'll
think of a better way
to achieve a better
goal...
We hear another shout (off screen): You don't agree to help us!
WOMAN#1 IN BLACK
(Charged)
We don't believe in the
rule of law. It's useless...
Then, we hear a male and a female (off screen) shouting foul languages at the gentlemen.
WOMAN#2 (O.S.)
Why did you scold us
from your moral high
ground...
More profanities before the end.
PETER (V.O.)
I couldn't have imagined
they could behave like
that.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
The old gentleman tries
to help by uplifting them, But they don't get it. No
surprise. They don't even
believe in the rule of law!
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Let me share with my
friend some of my
observations published
in Quora.
Peter does a few taps on his phone screen.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
My friend is also right.
They're beyond reasoning.
Do they really know
what do they stand for,
who do they stand with,
and what do they believe?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
They just want to be in
charge through violence.
When they're caught,
they'll learn what freedom
is all about in prison.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
When I was admitted
in HKU in 1981, it was
a dream come true. I
didn't waste any moment
to do better. I might not
have brought any glory
to HKU, but at least I
didn't bring any disgrace!
Peter shakes his head sideways.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Let me carry on writing
the disputed domain name
decision and capture a
a little value for me and
for Hong Kong.
INT. CLUBHOUSE - DAY
Peter nods as he reads a newspaper.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Over 4000 arrests now?
I was Harvard-trained
and believe I can solve
any problem. Restricting
the freedom of violent
people is the only quick
fix to restore law and
order in Hong Kong, as the rioters are beyond
reasoning.
INT. SWIMMING POOL - DAY
After swimming butterfly style, Peter looks pleased and gets out of the pool.
PETER (V.O.)
Let me go to a mall
and see if I can buy
something.
EXT. MALL ENTRANCE - NIGHT
Seeing a BUSKER (20s) performing, Peter smiles and takes a snapshot of him.
PETER (V.O.)
He's not mad. I saw
him before. He carries
a Japanese name.
Although I don't
understand the lyrics,
his joy of singing is
contagious.
EXT. ESTATE ROAD - NIGHT
As Peter walks towards residential premises, we hear OLD MAN#1 talking to OLD MAN#2.
OLD MAN#1
For triads, they never
hold the wife and
children responsible
for a member's wrong
doing. But now these
kids...
OLD MAN#2
They're mad!
Lifting his head, Peter catches a glimpse of the old men.
FADE OUT. The End