FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. SLEEPING ROOM - DAY
Phone alarm. Its 06:45. PETER wakes up.
PETER (V.O.): Have I slept? Yes, I wake up because I dreamt somebody touching my shoulder.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I seldom wake up before 7 am. But I prefer to go to court early.
FLASHBACK
INT. SLEEPING ROOM - NIGHT
It's 04:30. Peter rubs his eyes.
PETER (V.O.): Instead of keeping everything in my head, I had better print out the relevant legislative provisions for reference.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But if I go to my study to do it now, I might not sleep again as I've to wake up at 06:45.
Peter gets out of bed.
INT. STUDY - NIGHT
Bright. Peter sees some prints coming out from the printer.
PETER (V.O.): Yes, I need to clear my mind.
Picking the papers and putting them inside his brief case, Peter looks pleased.
END FLASHBACK
Act 2
EXT. TRAIN CAR - DAY
Crowded. A masked Peter in a suit takes a priority seat.
PETER (V.O.): I still have some back pain and I've to stand most of the time today.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.): To clear my mind further, let me jot down how conduct my case today.
Peter begins to type on his phone.
INT. COURT - DAY
A few masked SOULS. A masked Peter appears, addressing the bench.
Adjourned.
PETER (V.O.): I've done a lot of preparation for the trial but the defendent cleared his mind and pleaded guilty.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Anyway, I'm quite clear as to what I should do on matters like this.
Peer picks up his brief case and leaves.
A beat.
Peter comes back with several files in hand.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): We offer assistance to other busy courts. I can handle them without any problem.
FLASHBACK
INT. OFFICE - DAY (2010-2014)
COLLEAGUES gather at PETER's office door. Peter (50s) meets and discusses with them individually and collectivley.
BACK TO PRESENT
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My office then was quite like an emergency unit. Now, the whole world is in a state of emergency because of the pandemic.
We see cases heard and disposed of one by one before another adjournment.
INT. STUDY - NIGHT
Peter works behind his computer, watching TV news occasionally. We hear a TV ANCHOR (30s) talking about the great depression.
PETER (V.O.): Do I have to wait for it before I stop working? Have I done enough? Do I have enough? Am I enough?
Peter puts his hand to feel his back.
Act 3
INT. STUDY - CONTINUOUS
A LADY (69) is being interviewed on TV: You can't wish away the coronavirus ... It won't cooperate with you on the economy ... America isn't leading the world anymore...It's madness...
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That's common sense but few Americans would remark like her. Who's she?
As Peter checks the subtitles shown on the TV screen, we see and hear the interviewee's further remarks: learn from Hong Kong...Taiwan...and Singapore...
PETER (V.O.): Ha! Her mind is clear. Not a word on New Zealand. Her mention of Singapore is dated though.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): She's Laurie Garrett, the author of The Coming Plague.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): All factors considered, Hong Kong is doing the best.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And today, I've my first masked appearance in court.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If we think and do right, things will fall into the right place at the right time.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But we need clear minds in the first place. Otherwise, we can't interpret the data and information for our well-being, not to mention guiding others or the world.
FADE OUT.
THE END
Comments