FADE IN.
INT. SITTING ROOM - DAY
Sitting on a sofa, PETER watches TV news. SOMEONE (70s) is being interviewed.
PETER (V.O.)
It's shocking to hear that
these student rioters
kettled inside the Polytechnic
University have never
thought about that they've
to face justice.
Peter then watches a video clip in his phone
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
These so-called volunteers
who have been aiding the
people in black throughout
confess that they didn't
want to be sidelined in
the riots.
The scenes on TV capture Peter's attention again. He sees masked YOUNG GIRLS in school uniforms obstructing train doors.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
What a shame to them
and to their school.
Peter then watches another video clip in his phone. He sees an unmasked WOMAN insisting to throw a traffic cone on the road to obstruct traffic, despite being prevented by other citizens.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
She's a civil servant?
Peter shakes his head sideways.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Who do think they're?
Even if they're somebody,
no one is above the law.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd)
They and many others
might not have any concept
of law, but ordinary
people have public
morals. If they're honest
and refrain from violence,
they're generally on
the right side of the law.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
If ignorance of the law
a good defence, there
won't be order and
peace in society.
INT. SWIMMING POOL - NIGHT
Exiting the gate, Peter is still wet-haired.
PETER (V.O.)
I'm glad that the public
facility has returned to
normal, although the
Police's kettling of the
rioters in the Polytechnic
University isn't over
yet.
EXT. ROAD - NIGHT
As he is walking, Peter is also watching a video clip in his phone.
PETER (V.O.)
Those leading from
behind have surfaced!
They appeal to those
in the same basket -
haven't been caught
by the Police - to save
the other criminals
trapped inside the
Polytechnic University.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)
They frame the criminals
as students - the future
of Hong Kong. If they're
students, they've become
criminals. If they're the
future of Hong Kong,
it'll be hell.
Peter examines the CHARACTERS on the screen speaking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Even if there isn't any
explicit agreement among
them, there is a tacit
agreement. They look
so ugly.
INT. SITTING ROOM - NIGHT
As he is watching TV news, Peter checks his phone messages from time to time.
PETER (V.O.)
Oh, someone is
going to complain
against that civil
servant who committed
the crime of public
nuisance.
Then, the TV news anchor's report on the TV screen gets Peter's attention.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
The school says those
uniformed girls obstructing
train doors will get
demerits. That's the right
approach so that they
would know they've done
wrong.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Further, they spoke foul
language so naturally.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)
If they think that they're
students, under 18 and
can do whatever they
like, they're very
wrong. Only a child
under the age of 10
can't be guilty of any
criminal offence.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
The legal presumption
is quite right. Despite
the thousands of arrests
in the 2019 riots, no one
was under the age of
10.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
For child criminals under
14, and young criminals
under 16, there're special
criminal procedures
under the Juvenile Offenders
Ordinance. They're
criminals nonetheless.
In law, there aren't any
criminal exemption for offenders under 18.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
More importantly, the
student status is no
shield to criminal
responsibility.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Few could perceive that
I'm also conversant with
criminal justice!
Peter smiles.
FADE OUT. The End