FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. DINING ROOM - LAST NIGHT
PETER and his WIFE are having dinner.
WIFE: How was your day in court?
PETER: Although I had prepared for a full trial, I dealt with plea bargaining instead. I've experienced something new.
Pausing.
PETER (Cont'd): Tomorrow should be the last day of my hectic fortnight.
WIFE: What do you have to do?
PETER: In the afternoon, I've to attend a HKUST Committee meeting, and in the evening I've to offer free legal advice to ordinary people.
WIFE: Would you come back for dinner?
PETER: Sometime after 9.00pm.
Act 2
EXT. ROADS - MORNING
Peter drives his wife.
PETER (V.O.): How nice it is to have the opportunity! My wife has driven herself for the past two weeks.
INT. CAR PARK - LATER
Arriving at a parking lot, Peter sees his dirty silver coupe.
PETER (V.O.): That's why I'm here. I haven't driven it for weeks.
EXT. ROADSIDE - LATER
Under the sunshine, Peter cleans the outside and inside of his silver coupe.
PETER (V.O.): Apart from my love and care, I believe the car needs the sunshine too.
EXT. SWIMMING POOL - LATE MORNING
Peter is swimming.
PETER (V.O.): If I don't swim now, I won't have the time to do it later in the day.
INT. STUDY - EARLY AFTERNOON
Peter is researching with his phone.
PETER (V.O.): I've been so busy that it's only now that I can focus on the legal advice requests.
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - AFTERNOON
LADIES and GENTLEMEN including Peter are having a meeting. After hearing a presentation, Peter makes an intervention.
Beat.
A simple reception. Peter is having a chat with GENTLEMAN#1 and GENTLEMAN#2.
GENTLEMAN#1: Among us, there're very few who thinks like Peter...
PETER (V.O.): I used to hear similar remarks when I was with the civil service.
INT. SITTING AREA - LATER
Harbour view. Sipping his Mocca, Peter is researching with his phone.
PETER (V.O.): No preparation is ever enough even for rendering free legal advice.
Peter checks the phone time.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In less than 30 minutes, I'll begin advising my 5 clients.
SEQUENCE OF PETER'S RENDERING OF LEGAL ADVICE TO HIS CLIENTS
A. From 6.25 pm, Peter begins to advise CLIENT 1. Later, we see Client 1 looking confident.
B. Then, Peter is advising CLIENT 2. Later, we see Client 2 looking content.
C. Peter is advising CLIENT 3 and SON#1 and SON#2. Later, we hear door knocks.
D. Peter is advising CLIENT 4 and HUSBAND#1. Later, we hear Client 4 saying: Very clear!
E. Peter is advising CLIENT 5 and HUSBAND#2. Later, we see Husband#2 showing an image of a little girl and then we hear: Thank you very much.
RETURN TO PRESENT
Peter checks the phone time.
PETER (V.O.): 8:45 pm already? I've lost myself in the service of others.
Act 3
EXT. MTR TRAIN - NIGHT
Peter types on his phone.
PETER (V.O.): A professor formerly with Oxford U has passed his name card. I've promised to send my e-version.
Peter checks other incoming emails.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, someone is asking about my availability in late May and early June.
Having typed his reply, Peter is in thoughts.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): For the past fortnight, I've done lots of paid jobs: prosecuted for three days , made one appeal against refoulement and one subsequent claim, and issued a domain name decision, among others.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.): But I feel particularly rewarding tonight.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Not only that I made lives in what I gave, it's also my plain loving of ordinary people.
INT. DINING ROOM - LATER
Peter joins his FAMILY for dinner.
PETER: My hectic fortnight has now come to an end.
Peter picks up his chopsticks.
PETER (V.O.): I also lend a hand to others.
FADE OUT.
THE END
Lend a Hand
Updated: May 12, 2021
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