Best Jobs
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Sep 19, 2020
- 3 min read
FADE IN.
Act 1
INT - STUDY - DAY
PETER is watching TV.
PETER (V.O.): One of the US Supreme Court Justice has died at the age of 87.
We see TV video clips and hear a woman's voice: ...the best job...
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The US' system is such that one can work as long as one is still competent in doing the job.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In a farewell party, I heard a top judge retiring at the age of 80 thought it a blessing that those practising the law could still deliver at old age.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I share the view too. When young, I imagined how my life might be like when I became old.
Shrugging his right shoulder.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Resuming my swimming exercise this morning, I realized that my right shoulder joint wasn't as good as before. I haven't swum for just over 2 months.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm 21 years younger than the late Justice.
Act 2
INT. STUDY - CONTINUOUS
FLASHBACK
INT. HK CLUB BUILDING - DAY
Entering the building, Peter bumps into a GENTLEMAN (50s) inside the lift.
PETER: Hi, it's Peter here! I come here to do some voluntary work.
PETER (V.O.): Oh, I've forgotten his first name. The last time we met was at my farewell party in May 2014.
They chat happily.
GENTLEMAN: You must be a happy man.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Yes, I'm.
PETER: And you?
GENTLEMAN: I'm about to finish my pre-retirement leave.
Nodding and smiling.
PETER: Yes, it's good time to quit government.
As the lift door opens, the gentleman gets out.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Like me, he has done his best job.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I was Director of Intellectual Property, I wanted to go to the office early and leave late.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I enjoyed what I did, although the responsibility wasn't light.
Getting off the lift, Peter enters a conference room.
INT. MTR CABIN - NIGHT
Sitting, Peter is thinking.
PETER (V.O.): I didn't know I could contribute that much on finance and audit matters in the university context. It's good that my past experience can put to good use.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The next thing on my work agenda today is to see if the technical problem of the efiles submitted in a case I've to settle online is resolved.
INT. STUDY - NIGHT
Peter stares at his computer screen.
PETER (V.O.): Great! I've no problem in opening the big files now.
Having read the stuff on screen, Peter checks the time.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, it's already after midnight. But I've done what I wanted to do. Good.
RETURN TO PRESENT
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Am I still doing my best jobs now?
Peter looks perplexed.
Act 3
INT. STUDY - CONTINUOUS
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): After retirement, I was under the government required two-year sanitization period; and I didn't seek approval to take on jobs as I hated the bureaucratic procedure.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I began my monthly travel hobby instead and treated travelling as my new job.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Looking back, particularly in light of the present travel restrictions, it was my best job ever. I won't exchange it for anything.
Peter's attention is distracted by TV reports.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, the flag at White House is flying half-mast. So upset?
Watching TV.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But her fervent wish on her death bed was that she didn't want to be replaced until a new President is installed.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Is that rule-based?
Picking up a guitar near him, Peter begins to play.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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