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Gray Matters

Writer: Peter K F Cheung SBSPeter K F Cheung SBS

Updated: Feb 1



FADE IN

  1.  

  2. Act 1 

  3.  

  4. INT. STUDY - 09:45

  5.  

  6. PETER sits in a quiet moment. His eyes distant.

  7.  

  8. PETER (V.O): Alfred is a stroke survivor. One side of his body is paralysed.

  9.  

  10. Pausing.

  11.  

  12. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): He has great difficulty in speaking and writing.

  13.  

  14. Pausing.

  15.  

  16. PETER (V.O.) (Cont’d): He has mood swings and emotional outbursts.

  17.  

  18. Pausing.

  19.  

  20. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): He needs physical, speech and occupational therapies.

  21.  

  22. Pausing.

  23.  

  24. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Since Dec 18, 2024, I've been visiting him daily.

  25.  

  26. Act 2  

  27.  

  28. INT. TUNG WAH HOSPITAL - 12:30

  29.  

  30. Ward. With the help of his WIFE, ALFRED is sitting up in bed. Peter appears.

  31.  

  32. PETER: Hi Alfred, how are you feeling today?

  33.  

  34. Alfred stares at Peter's hair.

  35.  

  36. PETER (Cont'd): It isn't gray. It's all white. I've a story to tell.

  37.  

  38. Alfred looks intrigued.

  39.  

  40. PETER (Cont'd): Twenty years ago, I was appointed to settle international trade disputes among US, Australia and EC at WTO.

  41.  

  42. Pausing.

  43.  

  44. PETER (Cont'd): For a year, I worked both the Hong Kong time and the Geneva time ie 16 hours a day.

  45.  

  46. Recalling.

  47.  

  48. PETER (Cont'd): Hearing in Geneva, ambassadors and lawyer teams would appear before the Panel.

  49.  

  50. Recalling.

  51.  

  52. PETER (Cont'd): The stakes were high, the time was tight and the pressure was monumental.

  53.  

  54. Recalling.

  55.  

  56. PETER (Cont'd): One day, my colleague remarked that my hair had turned white overnight.

  57.  

  58. Looking shocked, Alfred remarks.

  59.  

  60. ALFRED: Hair...turn...white...overnight!

  61.  

  62. PETER: Yes, hair turn white overnight! Very good!

  63.  

  64. All smiles.

  65.  

  66. INT. SUN YAT SEN PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL 14:00

  67.  

  68. Peter is swimming leisurely.

  69.  

  70. PETER (V.O.): I haven't returned to my NT home for a long time. If my wife isn't home, I'll do it this late afternoon.

  71.  

  72. Peter bumps into another SWIMMER head on.

  73.  

  74. MONTAGE OF PETER'S LATE AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES

  75.  

  76. A. Restaurant. Peter is having Prawn Noodles in Soup and a Chrysanthemum Honey drink.

  77.  

  78. B. Urban roads. Stopping his silver coupe before traffic lights, Peter checks a WhatsApp message from Malcolm.

  79.  

  80. C. Tuen Mun Highway. Traffic jams. Peter looks very uneasy.

  81.  

  82. D. Tin Sum San Tsuen. Getting out of his coupe, Peter rushes to a public toilet.

  83.  

  84. E. Estate management office. Peter gets new car entry permits.

  85.  

  86. EXT. PETER'S NT HOME - 18:00

  87.  

  88. Front yard. Smartphone in hand, Peter is typing on screen his reply to Malcolm's message.

  89.  

  90. PETER (V.O.): Yesterday, I advised on liability and quantum; now I advise on jurisdictional issues.

  91.  

  92. Typing and editing.

  93.  

  94. PETER (V.O)(Cont'd): I believe Malcolm knows the answer, he just wants my second opinion...Done!

  95.  

  96. Pausing.

  97.  

  98. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Can I now go up to the studio to play something to entertain myself?

  99.  

  100. Act 3

  101.  

  102. INT. STUDY - 22:30

  103.  

  104. Peter inserts an AI drawing titled: "Gray Matters..." to a draft on his laptop.

  105.  

  106. PETER (V.O): Gray matter is a type of tissue in our brain and spinal cord that plays a crucial role in allowing us to function normally from day to day. A stroke can damage it.

  107.  

  108. Thinking.

  109.  

  110. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Law's application in circumstances isn't always black or white, there're gray matters to consider.

  111.  

  112.  Reflecting.

  113.  

  114.  PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I like to believe that the colour of my hair not only signifies my age but also reflects my knowledge, experience, and wisdom.

  115.  

  116. FADE OUT

  117.  

  118. THE END



 
 
 

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