FADE IN.
Act 1
EXT. STREET - 7:45am
In a black suit, PETER boards a green mini bus and fastens his seat belt.
PETER (V.O.): Having prosecuted hundreds of cases, I've become very concerned in complying with road traffic laws and regulations.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.): I'm looking forward to the late afternoon. When the day's done, I'd be very relaxed.
Peter is reading some small prints on this phone.
PETER (V.O.): I've found a recent Court of Appeal case not covered in books. I now know more about the nature of the dangerous driving offence in Hong Kong.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): One thing leads to another, even though they may be non-obvious or small.
Act 2
INT. COURT - 9:45am
Upon hearing an old MAN pleading guilty to a charge of careless driving, we hear further that this is his first traffic offence after driving for over 40 years.
PETER (V.O.): Don't know if he'd drive better or worse from now on.
INT. COURT - 11:00am
We see and hear Peter objecting to a bail application. Later, a young WOMAN is remanded in jail custody.
PETER (V.O.): For a drug addict, one thing leads to the same thing. If so, can one thing change by itself?
INT. COURT - 11.15am
We hear Peter getting a warrant of arrest against an absentee defendant. And 15 minutes later, the DEFENDANT appears.
PETER (V.O.): He's late for 2 hours. To answer a charge is obviously a big matter. But some people have a different life attitude.
We then hear the Defendant's explanation that he woke up late. Later, we hear him pleading not guilty to dangerous driving but pleading guilty to careless driving.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I won't accept that, because the way he drives far below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver and it would be obvious to a competent and careful driver that driving in that way would be dangerous.
After some verbal exchanges, we see the Defendant changing his mind and pleading guilty to dangerous driving.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I believe he recognizes it's his own fault that he doesn't follow the rules all the time.
We hear the sentence: fined $2250, driving banned for 6 months and the need to take a driving lesson. Peter then applies to cancel the warrant of arrest.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): On balance, it's a wise decision. If he was convicted after trial, he would be fined around $6000, in addition to costs.
INT. CHA CHAAN TENG - 1.15pm
Phone in hand, Peter is checking images and messages happily.
PETER (V.O.): The studio my elder daughter would rent in Tokyo looks so good. And the office tower where she'll be working looks so grand.
Smiling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm so proud of her, being able to make a living overseas, although her overseas experience is still the shortest among my children.
EXT. ROAD - 4.40pm
Peter gets off from a bus.
PETER (V.O.): This is the first time I've taken this bus route 1A. I might have got off early.
Peter sees two petrol-filling stations nearby.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): These are the newly-opened gas stations that I've not yet frequented.
INT. GAS-FILLING OFFICE - 4:45pm
After filling a few particulars in a form, Peter gets a card from a STAFF.
PETER (V.O.): I don't know this friendly competitor until now. I believe I'll come here often as the fuel is the same but the discount is big.
EXT. ROAD - 4:50pm
Queuing up for an elevator, Peter checks his phone mails.
PETER (V.O.): Oh, there's a notice to appoint me as domain name dispute settlement panelist in a case again.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It reminds me that I haven't checked an instruction to counsel for two days.
Peter types on his phone to reply.
INT. MALL - 5:30pm
Peter is shopping around.
PETER (V.O.): I just want to reward myself. But I don't know what should it be. Perhaps, I'll go to my favourite store.
EXT. ROADS - 5:45pm
On route, Peter sees a mega-size air cushion blocking a road, firefighters on ground and roof of a building.
PETER (V.O.): Is someone actually tired of living? If that someone can't be uplifted, the only way is to jump down?
Act 3
EXT. STREET - 6:15 pm
In a store, Peter is shopping around.
PETER (V.O.): Let me just buy some face masks. They're never too much in pandemic times.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Everything is more connected these days. And anything, not happening before, can happen.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If so, everything matters - to ourselves and others.
FADE OUT.
THE END
Comments