I Love Dramas
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Jun 28, 2022
- 2 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. SITTING ROOM - 22:15 (YESTERDAY)
The TV is on. Peter sees the title of a drama series: "The Good Doctor".
PETER (Turning to his WIFE and DAUGHTER): Who's watching this?.
DAUGHTER: Me. I watched its Japanese version while I was in UK.
Peter surfs the web with his smart phone.
PETER: The US version we're watching now derives from a popular K-drama.
PETER (V.O.): I saw similar Mainland Chinese dramas, when my younger son began reading Medicine.
Peter continues to watch the drama.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Is the story a true one?
Wondering.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Can a person with autism spectrum disorder become a resident surgeon?
Act 2
INT. SITTING ROOM - 13:30
Peter is again watching the drama series: "The Good Doctor".
PETER (V.O.): The protagonist portrayed in the series has attention to details, hyper-focus and creativity in diagnosis and treatment.
Watching.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): At times, I can also be meticulous, focused and creative. But medical diagnosis and treatment are beyond me.
Watching.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I was an Arts student and my 1st degree was in Philosophy, as an external student.
Watching.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If I could pick a career choice between a doctor and a lawyer. I'd definitely choose the former.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Over 20 years ago when I learned from a medical doctor colleague that her 1st degree was in Arts, I was shocked.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): She said she did it in Canada in the field of Public Health.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I was content as I didn't have the support to study overseas.
End credits begin to appear on TV screen.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That I could become a lawyer was already dramatic.
As another episode begins, Peter researches with his smart phone.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): There've always been autistic doctors - about 1% in UK.
Reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Some autistic doctors might prefer academic or laboratory work rather than clinical work.
Watching.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The drama narrates the bright side of autism.
Watching.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I believe those having mild autism have worked very hard to get to their level they're.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And so are their parents, grand parents and siblings.
On TV, scenes showing an AUTISTIC PATIENT in action.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The less-than-bright side of autism isn't hard to see.
Watching.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It drains the carers' capacity. I've witnessed that.
Pausing
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In society, few ordinary people would practise compassion.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): While doctors see the weakness of humankind, lawyers all the evilness.
Act 3
INT. STUDY - 17:00
Peter is working on his laptop.
PETER (V.O.): Drama doesn't walk into one's life. One either creates it or gets the support to make it happen.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Half of my family are lawyers. To have a son as a doctor-to-be is already drama to me.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): As my family is expanding, I anticipate more doctors will join us.
INT. JAPANESE RESTAURANT - 21:30
After a meal, Peter, and then his wife, tell stories to their daughter.
PETER (V.O.): I love dramas.
Picking up a cup of water, Peter drinks to himself.
THE END
FADE OUT
Comments