Day One
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Apr 22
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
EXT. CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES - 17:00
The sky is indigo. Flags flutter. PETER, in a well-cut but slightly dated suit, walks with a celebrate pace. He sees NANA ahead.
PETER (V.O.): The intern in my department in 2003.
PETER: Hi Nana...
They walk together. SC and CARMEN fall into step beside them.
PETER: Hi SC! Hi Carmen!....Nana...they're my former HKUST colleagues...they help make Hong Kong an innovation and tech hub...
SC: Under your leadership...
PETER (V.O.): I stepped down as Chair of HKUST's Knowledge Transfer Committee...a year ago.
PETER: When I was Director of IP of Hong Kong, China, I championed the concept of international IP trading via Hong Kong. I had the values but lacked the compacity and support... I lured the academia to give me a hand...
They enter the offices.
Act 2
INT. RECEPTION HALL - CONTINUOUS
GUESTS let RECEPTIONISTS scan their QR quotes. Peter spots RENEE, the supervisor.
PETER (V.O.): I approved the extension of her temporary contract in the marketing division way back when.
Entering, JANET spots Peter and glides over.
PETER (V.O.): I'm glad that she's now the Marketing Head.
At the same time, BELINDA greets Peter, along with other EXAMINERS.
PETER: Belinda was the first examiner who did marketing work like running the World IP Day reception...and she worked overtime...
BELINDA: I kicked start the "No Fakes" campaign...
PETER: That's from the supply side...I introduced "I Pledge (not to buy fake stuff" ie the demand side.
Then ALBERT appears. They've a quick selfie with the Commissioner of C&E. Then, Peter bumps into RICKY and PAT.
RICKY: Hi Peter, let's have a photo together...
PETER: Ricky, just days ago, I learned that you used to shoot the cover photos of the ablums you produced.
Ricky passes his camera to an ASSISTANT.
PETER (Cont'd): Days ago, I listened to your old song "If", I love the lively tune....
Posing.
PETER (Cont'd): It was my privilege that you'd perform on stage with me and played my songs.
CK approaches.
CK: How are you Peter? You look great!
PETER: I swim every day...my doctor says my daily routine can add five years to my life...
CK: How to determine the added years?
PETER: Every time I go swmming, I treat it as day one of the added years...
They smile. Then the FINANCIAL SECRETARY (FS) speaks from a podium.
FS: ...three IP fronts. One, tax concession. Two: IP financing and valuation to support IP Trading...
PETER (V.O.): Finally... IP trading...
FS (Cont'd): Three. Nurturing IP talents...
Applause.
Later, RYAN corners Peter, and he spots ANNA.
RYAN: Anna, Peter used to run his ILA - Inspire. Liberate. Achieve. His monthly standing meeting for all.
PETER: It's meant for knowledge transfer...I still recall the exchanges when Ryan attended the recruitment interview.
Then Peter spots ALICE, and soon DOUG joins. They chat,
ALICE: I've resumed teaching IP.
DOUG: I update my text quarterly and earn lots of royalties.
Later, Peter starts chatting with a LADY. MICHAEL approaches Peter and they hug. Then STEVEN, fit, approaches.
PETER: You look great!
STEVEN: I swim, 1500 meters, about three times a week.
PETER: Wow, you may add 50 years to your life...I swim daily...I was telling...
PETER (V.O.): Oh, I couldn't recall the lady's name. We've known each other since the 1990s...
Act 3
INT. LIVING ROOM - 23:00
Peter uploads an image to a draft on his laptop. It shows a glass display sign: World IP Day Reception 2026.
PETER (V.O.): First creative/innovative attempts and early filings are never perfect. Do them anyway. Perfection is the enemy of day one. The lady is Ella.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Day one isn't the best day. It's the only day that matters. Because without it, there's no day two. I met Dan too. He introduced me to Raymond. With $52million earmarked, they'll nurture IP talents.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Henry from the APAA secretariat also asked me to play the guitar in their year-end function. So, day one is the decision to begin. Again. And again. And again.
The END
FADE OUT
Comments