A Rare Rock
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Jun 18, 2020
- 3 min read
FADE IN.
Act 1
EXT. CENTRAL - DAY
Walking along a pedestrian flyover, PETER stops to take a photo.
PETER (V.O.): Despite the high-rise buildings, I can still see part of part of the rock.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I was doing squatter control work in the New Territories in my early 20s, I wondered if I might ever work in Central, wearing a suit in summer.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Having taken about 10 years to equip myself, I began doing that in my early 30s. And now as a senior citizen, I'm still working in the vicinity.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm content that I can be in private practice, online and offline, doing substantial voluntary work at the same time.
Peter enters an elegant building.
Act 2
INT. FOYER - DAY
GENTLEMAN#1 (40s) greets Peter.
GENTLEMAN#1: You look healthy.
PETER: I'm 66 now. Wearing my white hair, I've somewhat accepted taking a priority seat in public transport.
GENTLEMAN#1: But you still play the guitar.
Peter smiles.
PETER (V.O.): He's my former student. It's good to see him uplifting himself to become a doctor and delivering value.
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
LADIES and GENTLEMEN are having a conference. Peter makes interventions at times.
PETER (V.O.): The coronavirus has disrupted societies in many fronts. I'm anxious to contribute on higher education strategy in pandemic times.
INT. LAW LIBRARY - DAY
Peter is reading a thick book.
PETER (V.O.): Digesting it little by little, the book doesn't look thick anymore. To sustain quality performance, no preparation is ever enough.
EXT. TRAIN CABIN - DAY.
Peter checks phone notifications.
PETER (V.O.): Here's a requested answer from a Quoran who doesn't understand Hong Kong. He asks if rich residents in Hong Kong would leave for other countries.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): It's the unique Hong Kong characteristics that make them rich in the first place.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Those who aren't well-to-do yet still have the opportunity to become wealthy.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Only those who haven't much to loose might prefer other countries.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Gibraltar is a British rock, but it's much smaller than Hong Kong.
Peter surfs the web.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): If I lived in Gibraltar instead of Hong Kong, my life expectancy will be reduced by 4-5 years.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Switzerland has many rocks and its population is just 1.2 million more than Hong Kong.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): But if I lived in Switzerland instead of Hong Kong, I'll have to pay 25% more tax; and the Swiss food...
FLASHBACK
INT. RESTAURANT, SWITZERLAND - NIGHT (1996)
Peter (42) and his WIFE are seated.
WIFE: I want to try the Swiss' classic hotpot - they call it the fondue.
PETER: See how nice is it when compared to the Hong Kong hotpot.
Having watched a WAITER serving them with a pot of melted cheese over a portable stove, and some bread, they look expressionless.
PETER: Is that all?
WAITER: Yes! Enjoy!
END FLASHBACK
Act 3
INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT
PETER (V.O.): In Hong Kong, you get good food everywhere, at home too.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Putting their minds into even the smallest acts, residents in Hong Kong can succeed in their special ways.
Pondering.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): But it's really Hong Kong's connection with Mainland China that allows residents in Hong Kong to excel.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): After decades of struggle, Mainland China and Hong Kong, like a family, have created the most successful societies on Earth.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): During pandemic times, Hong Kong is much safer than other countries; and opportunities are still reasonably good.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I can accomplish many things in Hong Kong a day, including writing and publishing my daily screenplay.
Peter looks out of the window.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Hong Kong is a rare rock - like a gem.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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