Back To Work
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- May 6, 2020
- 2 min read
FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. DINING ROOM - DAY
PETER is having breakfast, reading a newspaper.
PETER (V.O.): Somebody is thanking his former team for the jobs done. If he doesn't detail them, I wouldn't know.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Now I know, but they weren't significant after all.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I worked with him over 20 years ago. I helped streamline Hong Kong's municipal institutions. I worked very hard, but who would feel the difference?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Have I lost a lot of intellectual effort and time?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Well, I've a university governance meeting this morning. I wish to do some legal research afterwards... Yes, back to work.
Peter goes out
Act 2
EXT. TRAIN CAR - DAY
Crowded. A masked Peter sees a priority seat and puts a hand to feel his back.
PETER (V.O.): I still have some back pain.
Peter takes the seat.
PETER (V.O.): Since the coronavirus outbreak. I haven't dyed my hair. People can see that I'm entitled to take the seat.
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
A meeting. Peter sits side by side with two white-haired GENTLEMEN# 1-2.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): We're old and wise, still having some residual value.
EXT. ROAD, CENTRAL - DAY
Peter is chatting with a black-haired GENTLMAN#3.
PETER: I admire you can create job vacancies during hard times.
GENTLEMAN#3: I can create 10-15 jobs anytime!
PETER: That's significant by any measures these days.
INT. CHAMBERS - DAY
Peter is reading a thick book.
PETER (V.O.): Reading the 2020 edition is reassuring. I've updated myself and am ready to go back to work.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In fact, the type of work that I'm doing is quite inconsequential and insignificant.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's really like a pastime to me, although I hate just to pass the time.
EXT. TRAIN CAR - DAY
Seeing a priority seat, Peter just take it.
PETER (V.O.): No shame! I should really retire.
Peter takes a look of all the younger passengers around.
Act 3
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY
Finishing a bowl of Wonton noodles, Peter begins to enjoy his red bean ice.
PETER (V.O.): Let me pick a Quora question to answer.
Peter checks a phone notification.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Hah, the question poser asks me if he would be better off to get CONVID-19 infection and the immunity early.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Like many others, he may want to go back to work.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But there's the risk that he might not live. It's a fact that people are dying and they aren't just numbers.
Peter types on his phone.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): For land-linked territories with mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau are the safest.
Peter finishes his typing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Before the pandemic, anywhere seemed to be better than Hong Kong. Hong Kong has relatively uplifted itself in months.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And what I can still do now shouldn't be insignificant and small when compared to doing nothing.
INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT
After dinner, Peter packs his brief case.
PETER (V.O.): Perhaps, I can treat it as a way to relax. Yes - back to work!
FADE OUT.
THE END
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