Curiosity Sated
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Feb 6, 2021
- 2 min read
FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. SITTING ROOM - DAY
PETER and his WIFE are chatting.
WIFE: I'll go shopping in that Japanese store later today.
PETER: Don't get too excited. Remember well to pay...
FLASHBACK
INT. COURT - DAY (Jan 6, 2021)
An EXPERT (66) is in the witness box. Peter is cross-examining him vigorously.
PETER: Even a person suffering from a Major Depressive Order can make a right decision in split second, do you agree?
Pausing.
EXPERT: Yes.
Peter addresses the court.
PETER: I've no other question.
Peter watches the defence COUNSEL (40s) re-examining her expert witness.
PETER (V.O.): I enjoyed cross-examining of a medical expert who is about the same age as mine.
The defence COUNSEL then submits her closing speech to court.
PETER (V.O.): She's very good. She must be very experienced.
Act 2
INT. COURT - CONTINUOUS
COURT: The case is adjourned to Jan 14, 2021 for verdict.
Peter rises.
PETER: If I may be excused for attending...
The court takes notice. Then all rise and bow to the court. As the Counsel begins to pack her papers, Peter gives her a thumbs-up.
PETER: Well done!
The Counsel looks pleased.
COUNSEL: It's bad that you couldn't follow through this case to the end.
PETER: Yes, but it's the standard practice for counsel on fiat.
PETER (V.O.): And my no-show at the verdict hearing may let the defendant know that I was prosecuting and not persecuting.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's all business and isn't personal.
INT. STUDY - NIGHT
Peter is in thoughts.
PETER (V.O.): I'm still thinking about the defence Counsel's performance. How many years of experience has she accumulated?
Peter surfs the web with his phone.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): She was called to the bar in 1999. Her head of chambers was my former classmate.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But I ceased my criminal prosecution practice in 1986. I switched to high-impact policy work. And I've only resumed prosecuting in Dec 2017.
INT. STUDY - DAY (Jan 14, 2021)
Watching TV inattentively, Peter is thinking.
PETER (V.O.): The court will hand down the verdict of the case I prosecuted anytime soon.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Having reappraised the law and the special circumstances of the case, I believe it's probable the defendant will be convicted.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The defence Counsel's eloquent speech might be persuasive, but it can't change the facts.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Should I care about the outcome at all? I've established a prima facie case already. But the defendant has hired a pretty strong team.
Peter continues to watch TV.
INT. STUDY - DAY (Jan 21, 2021)
Peter finishes a phone conversation.
PETER (V.O.): A prosecutor called. I've seized the opportunity to enquire on the outcome of the case I prosecuted. He'll come back to me.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I just can't withhold my curiosity concerning the actual outcome, despite my own objective assessment.
Act 3
INT. STUDY - CONTINUOUS
Phone rings. Peter takes the call.
PROSECUTOR (from phone): You're really good. The defendant was convicted...
Ending the call, Peter looks very happy.
PETER (V.O.): I was pretty well-prepared for the case. I've done very well in my role as a fiat counsel.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): What's the word specifically for the satisfaction of a curiosity?
Peter surfs the web with his phone.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): "Sate" ie satisfy to the full. Yes, my curiosity sated.
RETURN TO PRESENT
PETER (Cont'd): For my recent prosecutions on shoplifting, the crime scene has been the place you're going.
WIFE: Don't worry! I won't forget to pay.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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