In A Sentence

1. FADE IN.

2. 
   

3. Act 1

4. 
   

5. INT. STUDY - DAY

6. 
   

7. PETER is preparing to go out.

8. 
   

9. PETER (V.O.): I expect there'd be some disturbance today. But I need to go back to chambers to get something done. Let me go back early then.

11. EXT. ROADS - DAY

12. 
    

13. Peter drives his WIFE. The car radio is reporting that the Police has arrested criminal suspects around the age 14-15 in possession of offensive weapons in a public place.

14. 
    

15. PETER: Do they've better things to do? They've been brainwashed and have to shoulder their criminal responsibility. They should be reformed or rehabilitated in special institutions.

16. 
    

17. On a highway, Peter sees Traffic Police and a tow car on standby.

18. 
    

19. PETER (Cont'd): Such is a good precautionary measure.

20. 
    

21. Peter drives past them.

22. 
    

23. The car radio is reporting that some drivers have attempted to obstruct traffic at the Cross Harbour Tunnel and the Police are investigating.

24. 
    

25. PETER (V.O.): That explains the sight I've just seen.

26. 
    

27. The car radio is reporting that there're nails and sharp objects thrown on roads.

28. 
    

29. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Well, I've got to pay extra attention.

30. 
    

31. Pausing.

32. 
    

33. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): How annoying it is! What support will the criminals get in such anti-social behaviour in Hong Kong? They want to continue insulting the motherland's national anthem, fearing a law will prohibit that, among other things.

34. 
    

35. Pausing.

36. 
    

37. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Once charged and convicted, there're many sentencing options.

38. 
    

39. Act 2

40. 
    

41. INT. COURT LIBRARY - DAY

42. 
    

43. Peter is reading the small prints in a thick book.

44. 
    

45. PETER (V.O.): For possession of any offensive weapon in any public space, if s/he is a child ie less than 14-year old, the convicted person will be dealt with under the Juvenile Offenders Ord. Cap. 226.

46. 
    

47. Pausing.

48. 
    

49. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Under section 33 of the Public Order Ord. Cap. 245, if the convicted person is no less than 14-year old and is under 17 years of age, the convicted person shall be sentenced: (1) to a maximum of 3-year imprisonment; (2) to a Detention Centre, (3) to a Training Centre, or (4) to a Rehabilitation Centre.

50. 
    

51. Pausing.

52. 
    

53. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If the convicted person is between the age of 17 and 25, the convicted person shall be sentenced: (1) to a maximum of 3-year imprisonment, (2) to a Detention Centre, or (3) to a Rehabilitation Centre.

54. 
    

55. Pausing.

56. 
    

57. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If the convicted person is above the age of 25, the convicted person shall be sentenced to a maximum of 3-year imprisonment.

58. 
    

59. Pausing.

60. 
    

61. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): This's just one example that committing a crime against public order isn't a small matter.

62. 
    

63. EXT. TRAM STATION - DAY

64. 
    

65. Peter sees Riot Police inspecting the possession of a group of youngsters.

66. 
    

67. PETER (V.O.): A show of force taking precautionary measures is the right law enforcement strategy.

68. 
    

69. Pausing.

70. 
    

71. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's the same Police Force. The last Commissioner has done irreparable harm to Hong Kong. Where's he residing now?

72. 
    

73. Pausing.

74. 
    

75. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's good to see the Police's turnaround to restore public order in Hong Kong.

76. 
    

77. Walking past them, Peter see many youngsters carrying long umbrellas and loitering in public places.

79. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If I did anything that they don't like but I've the right to do eg taking photos or videos of them, I've reason to be concerned for my safety or wellbeing.

80. 
    

81. Pausing.

82. 
    

83. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Loitering targeting at gang-associated problems has been an offence in Hong Kong since 1979, borrowing the British model.

85. Pausing.

86. 
    

87. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): To better protect the public, the Police can do better. Let me find a temporary haven quick.

88. 
    

89. Peter enters a restaurant.

90. 
    

91. Act 3

92. 
    

93. INT. STUDY - NIGHT

94. 
    

95. The TV is reporting news about Hong Kong's National Anthem Bill and a journalist is commenting that people don't like their right to boo the national anthem be taken away.

96. 
    

97. PETER (V.O.): Why national anthem is important?

98. 
    

99. Pausing.

100. 
     

101. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's the symbol of a country, representing the history, tradition and values. It should invoke patriotism, reminding its people of struggles and heritage.

103. Pausing.

104. 
     

105. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Reverence and respect should be accorded to the national anthem at all times.

106. 
     

107. Pausing.

108. 
     

109. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): As a citizen in the Special Administrative Region of China, how can some people insist that they can continue to show their disrespect? But they gain support from the journalist working for the western media.

110. 
     

111. Pausing.

112. 
     

113. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Would western countries let their own people to show disrespect to their own anthems?

114. 
     

115. Pausing.

116. 
     

117. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Such bias reporting! They don't report the big picture but are tunnel-visioned. There's no way to find out what has actually happened. Shame on the journalist and the TV channel.

118. 
     

119. Pausing.

120. 
     

121. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In a sentence, they're anti-China. Short of using military might, they behave like what they did to China in the 19th century.

122. 
     

123. Peter looks angry.

124. 
     

125. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But there're just too many foolish people of the Chinese race who are prepared to be treacherous, even in the 21st century.

126. 
     

127. Pausing.

128. 
     

129. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The root problem will be resolved, soon.

131. FADE OUT.

132. 
     

133. THE END