After the Weekend
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Nov 29, 2021
- 3 min read
FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. STUDY - 17:00
We see PETER typing on a laptop: I believe I've done my part...
FLASHBACK
EXT. HKUST - 17:15 (Last Friday)
Smartphone in hand, Peter is talking to someone.
SOMEONE (From phone): She's working from home until 18:00...
PETER: Okay, as she wants to talk to me, ask her to call me between 17:45 and 18:00.
INT. STUDY - 18:00 (Last Friday)
PETER (V.O.): No call. I don't have her telephone number. But Monday is the deadline to issue the decision.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I suspect she doesn't understand something that is just too obvious to me.
Act 2
EXT. ROADS - 20:00 (Last Friday)
At a traffic lights junction. Peter stops to check a mail.
PETER (V.O.): You've missed the window of opportunity to call me? Leave it till Monday? Have a nice weekend?
Peter types his reply.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Call me anytime on Sat/Sun as time is tight!
INT. SITTING ROOM - 21:00 (Last Sunday)
Peter ends a telephone call.
PETER (V.O.): My solicitor friend work 7 days a week. Lives to work for money.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): A fortnight ago, he asked me to put aside a case on the eve of its hearing and to give priority to his case to be heard 10 days later.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In the end, things didn't go as assumed. As he began to reflect on his flaws, I counsel somewhat.
Peter checks the junk mail box.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, there's an enquiry about my convenient day and time to fix a conference.
Peter types his reply.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Fortunately, the mail came in last Thursday. I was appearing in court then.
INT. STUDY - 10:00
Phone rings: Unknown caller. Peter picks up the call.
PETER (To phone): Is it you?
After some discussion, Peter ends the call.
PETER (V.O.): I was right, she didn't understand the fine differences, causing all the unnecessary queries and delay.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I'm not sure if the other panelists are standing by like me so that matter can be disposed of within today.
Peter sends emails and an attachment.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): To me, signing an online document by three panelists in time pose the real clerical challenge.
It's 11:45. Peter checks his stock investment list on the phone screen.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The adverse impact of the Omicron variant is felt. Should I carry on buying low?
Peter hears a remark from the radio: In a falling market, you gain if you don't buy...
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Sounds better than my buy-and-hold and don't-sell-in-panic strategy!
It's 15:45. Peter sees messages: Would you mind...?
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I mind as that isn't appropriate!
Peter types on his smartphone, angrily.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I treat him like a friend but he treats me differently.
Later, Peter sees another message: The matter is resolved...
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If the matter can be resolved via other means, why attempt to waste my time and effort!
Peter checks an incoming mail:...reply by today...
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): A separate matter. I replied last Tuesday. They didn't check. I meant to help not to delay.
Peter type his reply: On second thought, I won't attend.
RETURN TO PRESENT
Act 3
INT. STUDY - 22:00
Peter checks a mail notification and a message.
PETER (V.O.): Well, one co-panelist has just responded. It's still before the 11th hour.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Time is the only capital one has - the only capital that one can't afford to lose.
Peter touches his stomach.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, I'm still waiting for my wife's return to have dinner together.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The first day after the weekend is particularly short.
FADE OUT
THE END
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