Breaking the Silence
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Nov 11, 2024
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. LIVING ROOM - 12:00
A TV set flickers. The news anchor's voice cuts through the silence.
ANCHOR (V.O.): ...Top officials are calling actions from all sectors... be contributors, rather than bystanders...
The screen shows footage of people talking.
PETER (V.O.): I always want to walk my talk. But I've been quite lonely on this score.
Recalling.
PETER: (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I was with Government, I tried hard to create public value.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): But there're systemic issues like rigid hierarhies, red tape, risk aversion, limited resources, lack of accountability...
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Now, systemic reform is not an option, but a necessity.
Act 2
EXT. ESTATE STREET - 14:45
While walking towards a block, Peter hears ringtones: Unknown caller.
PETER (V.O): I usually don't respond to such calls.
Peter checks the caller's number.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): It differs from spam calls...As I've some professional commitments, unknown callers might call me...
Peter takes the call but keeps silent.
SOMEONE (from phone): Are you Peter? I'm Joe...
PETER (to phone): Oh yes...
JOE (from phone): We're inviting you to give the opening remarks of an inaugural innovation master class...
INT. STUDY - 16:00
Opening an email attachment in his smart phone, Peter checks it.
PETER (V.O): When I was with Govt, I never draft my remarks. I liked to speak ex tempore and call for action.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Then, I spoke publicly nearly every day on IP-related matters...now, the context is biomedical healthcare...my great honour...
Peter modifies the draft a bit.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): But, it's for sure I won't read it out...
Recalling.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I hate to see officals or VIPs reading speeches and leaving immediately after ceremonies.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): How can surface-level engagements bring high impact?
FLASHBACK
EXT. ROADS, HKUST - DAY (A week ago)
Getting on board a coach, Peter sits next to a LADY so that he can continue his chat with OTHERS taking seats nearby. A moment later, the lady engages him.
LADY:...I'm a patent agent.
PETER: ...I know your firm is doing well. How do you find Hong Kong's substantive examination system?
LADY:...We never use it...There're other better alternatives...
PETER: I'm not surprised...as the system isn't cost-effective...
RETURN TO PRESENT
PETER (V.O.): Resources and power should have gone to my vision - to make Hong Kong an international trading hub on intellectual property.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): When I became Hong Kong, China's Director of Intellectual Property in 2011, I began promoting the creative concept.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Upon retirement in 2014, I don't have the mandate anymore.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): It's true that the Govt is still talking about the concept.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): But I find the platform that have the potential to make it happen has become disoriented.
Act 3
INT. LIVING ROOM - 21:30
Peter inserts an AI drawing entitled "Breaking the Silence ..." to a draft in his laptop.
PETER (V.O): The phrase suggests urgency and a call to action, appealing to those who value social reasponsibility and community engagement.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Working across academia, industry and government is essential to foster innovation, especially in fields like biotechnology and healthcare.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I've to believe that every conversation and interaction has the potential to spark better ideas and collaborations that can lead to significant practical advancements.
FADE OUT
THE END
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