FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. STUDY - MORNING
In a suit, Peter's working behind a computer.
PETER (V.O.): See if the words I use in this draft Admitted Facts would be acceptable by the other side.
INT. OFFICE - LATER
A pile of files on the desk, Peter is reading something in Chinese.
PETER (V.O.): Here's this word "憩" again. Before I was corrected, I thought it looked like "甜" and should sound similar to that.
FLASHBACK
INT. LECTURE THEATRE - NIGHT (1991)
As Peter (36) ends his lecture, STUDENTS begin to leave. STUDENT#1 talks to Peter.
STIDENT#1: Sir, you've wrongly pronounced the word "憩" a couple of times. It sounds the same as "氣".
PETER: Oh, thank you for pointing out.
END FLASHBACK
Act 2
INT. OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): So every time I see this word, I recall how my blind spot was enlightened.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Earlier, a classmate of mine has also pointed out to me the correct way in pronouncing the word "err".
INT. COURT ROOM - NIGHT (1984)
Peter (30) and his CLASSMATE are rehearsing before an empty bench.
CLASSMATE: Peter, you've wrongly pronounced the word "err". It sounds very bad. You should pronounce it as "air"
Later, Peter submits before an expatriate JUDGE. We hear Peter pronouncing emphatically the word: The court below "aired" on point of law...
PETER (V.O.): It seems that the Moot Court Judge understands what I say.
Later, it is the turn of Peter's classmate. We hear her saying "aired" naturally.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): She came from a famous secondary school and had already got a BA. I've been treating her as my English teacher.
RETURN TO PRESENT
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Months later, she suddenly said that my old way of pronouncing "err" was correct.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I was surprised. But I was still thankful to her or I might still be pronouncing the word wrongly.
INT. COURT - AFTERNOON
Peter is prosecuting. Suddenly, the JUDGE intervenes.
JUDGE: I doubt if the facts could substantiate the charge against the defendant company. How can a company “use” something? It can only "allow" or "permit"...You had better seek instructions.
Peter looks quite loss.
PETER (V.O.): I don't have any legal discomfort with the charge. But the judge deals such matters day in and day out.
PETER: Can I seek the court's indulgence for a short while?
Peter bows before leaving Court.
INT. OFFICE - LATER
Peter is discussing with GENTLEMAN#1 and GENTLEMAN#2.
GENTLEMAN#1: There's no need to amend anything as the employer company is vicariously responsible for the employee.
PETER: Vicarious responsibility?
PETER (V.O.): It's a civil legal concept.
GENTLEMAN#2: It's a well-established principle in traffic offences. Check it out with the law books in the shelves.
PETER (V.O.): Is that right? Have I missed that much?
Reading near bookshelves, Peter checks the indexes of a thick book.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It isn't even indexed...
Flipping through the pages of two books on road traffic offences, Peter focuses on a few paragraphs.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It should be "absolute" or "strict" liability, and not "vicarious" liability.
Reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): "Use" has been judicially interpreted to cover the circumstances of my case.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If "use" is amended to "allow" or "permit", the prosecution will have to prove the guilty mind of the defendant...
Act 3
INT. COURT - LATER
Peter submits before the Judge again. It appears the Judge is content.
As the court session ends, Peter and his ASSISTANT leave.
PETER: What has transpired in this routine is beyond my expectation.
ASSISTANT: I'm surprised too.
INT. STUDY - NIGHT
Relaxing on a sofa without a tie, Peter is listening to a Bee Gee song.
PETER (V.O.): What happened today has triggered my memory of this song.
Listening.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): We've to be mindful with our words. Words have all sorts of power.
We hear Robin Gibb singing: It's only words - and words are all I have - to take your heart away...
FADE OUT.
THE END
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