A State of Mind

1. FADE IN.

2. 
   

3. Act 1

4. 
   

5. EXT. VICTORIA HARBOUR - 17:15

6. 
   

7. An old ferry. Walking up to the upper deck, PETER sees other PASSENGERS taking selfies.

8. 
   

9. PETER (V.O.): I did the same when I took this ferry the first time.

10. 
    

11. Pausing.

12. 
    

13. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): After my court work today, I want to do something different.

14. 
    

15. Pausing.

16. 
    

17. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And then I thought about taking this ferry. I didn't mind the longer travelling time.

18. 
    

19. Pausing.

20. 
    

21. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Even waiting at the Sai Wan Ho pier was refreshing.

22. 
    

23. Having stayed awhile at the starboard side, Peter goes to the port side. The setting sun is right at the Victoria Peak.

24. 
    

25. PETER (V.O.): Isn't it beautiful?

26. 
    

27. Act 2

28. 
    

29. FLASHBACK

30. 
    

31. INT STUDY - LAST SATURDAY

32. 
    

33. Peter is glued to the computer screen.

34. 
    

35. PETER (V.O.): I need to study the materials, examine the issues and consider what should be the decision.

36. 
    

37. Typing.

38. 
    

39. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Without a working draft, it would be difficult for my panel to collaborate effectively and efficiently.

40. 
    

41. Editing.

42. 
    

43. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I like to cook up a rough draft and refine it later.

44. 
    

45. INT. STUDY - LAST SUNDAY

46. 
    

47. Peter is glued to the computer screen.

48. 
    

49. PETER (V.O.): A client wants me to give priority to his case.

50. 
    

51. Recalling.

52. 
    

53. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): A Quoran has asked me why small clients take up most of one's time.

54. 
    

55. Recalling.

56. 
    

57. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My observation is that to small clients, everything is significant and urgent.

58. 
    

59. Pausing.

60. 
    

61. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That's why I'm sacrificing my Sunday afternoon to do something insignificant and not urgent.

62. 
    

63. EXT. MTR CABIN - 08:00 (TODAY)

64. 
    

65. Peter researches with his smartphone.

66. 
    

67. PETER (V.O.): Oh, I've found a very persuasive authority. The defendant won't have any luck.

68. 
    

69. INT. OFFICE - 09:00

70. 
    

71. An ASSISTANT is helping Peter to print and copy something.

72. 
    

73. PETER: Thanks a lot John!

74. 
    

75. Copies in hand, Peter looks very pleased.

76. 
    

77. INT. COURT ROOM - 09:40

78. 
    

79. Peter is prosecuting. We hear DEFENDANT#1 pleading: Guilty.

80. 
    

81. PETER (V.O.): Oh, my trial preparation is wasted.

82. 
    

83. INT. COURT ROOM - 14:45

84. 
    

85. A COUNSEL is mitigating.

86. 
    

87. PETER (V.O.): I'm just taking the Court's verdict.

88. 
    

89. We see and hear the COURT asking counsel: Do you have any authority in hand?

90. 
    

91. After some exchanges, we see DEFENDENT#2 being taken down to the cell.

92. 
    

93. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): As the sentence is adequate, I won't consider any appeal.

94. 
    

95. Thinking.

96. 
    

97. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Not sure if imprisonment can deter one's violence, if one doesn't release one's violent mind.

98. 
    

99. RETURN TO PRESENT

100. 
     

101. Act 3

102. 
     

103. EXT. VICTORIA HARBOUR - CONTINUOUS

104. 
     

105. PETER (V.O.): And a new perspective too.

106. 
     

107. Peter captures the moment with his smartphone.

108. 
     

109. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I believe I can handle whatever this week throws at me.

110. 
     

111. Pausing.

112. 
     

113. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Monday, like every consciousness, is a state of mind or a reflection of it.

114. 
     

115. Pausing.

116. 
     

117. \PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Meanwhile, let me enjoy my good state of mind!

118. 
     

119. The ferry continues to head towards the Kwun Tong pier.

120. 
     

121. FADE OUT

122. 
     

123. THE END