Little Extras
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Aug 26, 2021
- 3 min read
FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. STUDY - 07:00
PETER is reading a thick book.
PETER (V.O.): OMG, I've forgotten about the Indictment Rules!
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): By end August this year, I'd have been in private practice for 4 years now.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): It was in late July 2017 while I was in Dubrovnik that I learned about the Hong Kong Bar's approval of my practice.
EXT. ROAD - 08:30
Peter in a dark suit is walking towards a court house.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I must remember that after today's work, I shouldn't be too relaxed as I still have to visit my client in Castle Peak Bay Immigration Centre tomorrow.
Act 2
INT. RESTAURANT - AFTERNOON
Peter is chatting with a white-haired COUNSEL over lunch.
PETER (V.O.): He has done his extra mile to become a Barrister as a 2nd career. I'm 5 years older than him, but he's 2 years senior to me in private practice.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I've learned a lot on the job. It's also interesting to share how life is like in comparable circumstances.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Furthermore, one can learn from one's peers. Our stories add colours to criminal practice.
EXT. ROAD - LATER
Peter exits from the court house.
PETER (V.O.): Today, I was quite an extra. Once in 4 years.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): But I'm charging my minimum rate at US$3 per minute. I read that Afghan solders were paid US$2 per day.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Anyhow, I seized the opportunity to reappraise criminal procedure in its totality.
INT. STUDY - LATER
Peter works behind his computer.
PETER (V.O.): It's good that I can issue the invoice of my professional fee in settling a Statement of Claim.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): The Defendant made a sanctioned offer. and my client has accepted it. I'm earning a little extra in civil practice too.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): As I've earned the little extras, I'd reward myself. Apart from contributing a little to the economy, it'd motivate me to accomplish more.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Two days ago, I bought a defective fan. I'll go back to the retailer to get a replacement.
INT. MALL - LATER
Peter is showing a green fan to a STAFF.
PETER: I've a white one and so I know there's something wrong with this green one...
STAFF: Would you accept other colours? We find the defective ones are green.
PETER: Pink then.
The extra-helpful Staff demonstrates to Peter the perfect condition of a pink fan.
PETER (V.O.): I like the design and function of the fan so much that I meant to have all the model's colours - white, green and pink.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Now, I've to reward myself with something else.
Peter goes inside a video store and comes out empty-handed. Later, Peter walks past pop-up stores.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The design of the scissors look good. I've scissors but I wouldn't mind to have little extras.
Grabbing 5 items, Peter pays at the cashier.
Act 3
INT. STUDY - EVENING
Peter is watching BBC World News. The former Vice-President of Afghanistan is speaking.
PETER (V.O.): He's explaining the disastrous situations. He finds the White House guilty.
On screen, the former Interior Minister of Afghanistan is being interviewed.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): They assume some responsibility. But why don't they all do a little extra to prevent the emergency from becoming a crisis?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The difference between "ordinary" and "extraordinary" is "extra".
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I believe I did well in my civil service career. What I'm doing now is extra.
Peter takes a look of the thick books on the floor.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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