Crossroads of Life
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Jan 18, 2024
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. STUDY - 9:00
Dressed in a 3-piece suit, PETER is checking something on his mobile.
PETER (V.O.): I'll be seeing my client who doesn't want to return to his home country.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): When I studied my first LLM by myself in 1986, a special subject I chose was International Protection of Human Rights.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Then, I just want to know how my human rights are protected internationally.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Soon, I realized that my human rights weren't even fully protected in colonial Hong Kong.
Smiling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I was then an Assistant Crown Counsel in the Attorney General's Chambers; but I had the guts to raise the issue with a Law Officer.
Act 2
EXT. KOWLOON BAY - 10:15
Walking along Wang Kwong Road, Peter's face exhibits signs of discomfort.
PETER (V.O.): Oh, I've an urge to go to the toilet.
Scanning the surroundings, Peter sees there's a park not far away from him.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): For the past six years, I've been in the vicinity from time to time but I've never walked in that direction.
Peter quickens his steps towards the park.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Ah, I can see toilet-like structures in front of it.
Arriving at Kai Lai Road, Peter is wide-eyed.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Oh, it's the cycling park that we used to come!
EXT. KOWLOON BAY PARK - 10:20
Coming out from the toilet and looking relaxed, Peter scans the Park from one side to another, focusing on the elevated cycling track.
FLASHBACK
EXT. KOWLOON BAY PARK - NIGHT (Around 2009)
Entrance. Peter (55), his WIFE, DAUGHTER#1 (12), SON (11) & DAUGHTER#2 (9) are downloading bicycles from their car.
PETER (V.O.): In a controlled environment, my children can practise their skills better.
The children can't wait to ride their bicycles on the track. Peter instructs.
PETER: When you all enter the elevated track, peddle harder and change to lower gears.
Laughter. Daughter#1 is leading son and daughter#2.
PETER (Cont'd): When you all come down from the slope, apply the hand brakes gradually.
Peter and his wife watch every move of their children with a mixture of cheerfulness and unease.
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Time flies. Our elder daughter is now in Seoul, mastering her Korean in SNU.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): We'll meet in Feb this year. We'll also visit Busan.
Peter checks the flight status of a CX flight with his mobile.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Our son departed home last night and his flight landed in Sydney an hour ago. He's now a doctor and we're sure he'll do well.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): We'll see him in May this year in Sydney at his graduation ceremony.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): As to our younger daughter, she'll further her Art studies in Niigata in Japan from April this year.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): To help her settle down there, we'll go to Niigata in April together.
Taking a deep breath.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I feel a mixture of nostalgia and anticipation for the future.
Checking the time on his mobile.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Time to get back to work.
Act 3
INT. STUDY - 22:30
Working on a laptop, Peter inserts an AI drawing entitled "Crossroads of Life" into a draft.
PETER (V.O.): Everyone faces crossroads in one's own life, like personal growth, career development or self-discovery.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): As circumstances can be unpredictable, I found that at the most important crossroads in my life, there were no signs.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): In deciding which way to go, my value has been to select the one that can liberate my capacity to achieve something good to all.
FADE OUT
THE END
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