No Burden
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Dec 1, 2021
- 3 min read
FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. STUDY - 08:00
Checking a bag, PETER sees two cheques and two thick books.
PETER (V.O.): I'm going to pay my bills and return the loaned books.
EXT. OFFICE CAR PARK - 09:30
Carrying their bags of files and books, Peter and his WIFE leave their car.
PETER: It's great that you can park here.
His wife smiles.
PETER (Cont'd): When I worked here in 1985, I naively believed that I was entitled to park here.
While his wife walks towards an office entrance, Peter walks towards the car park exit.
PETER (V.O.): Yesterday night, she carried on working after our late dinner. Her work burden is heavy.
Act 2
INT. CHAMBERS - 10:00
Peter presents a cheque to a SECRETARY.
PETER: I meant to come back yesterday afternoon, but my conference didn't finish until 6.00pm.
PETER (V.O.): I usually pay my rent well before the end of the month. I don't want to pose any burden to others.
INT. HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION - 10:15
Counter. Having presented a form with a cheque to a STAFF, Peter leaves.
PETER (V.O.): For this membership renewal, I'm discharging it timely, letting go a memory burden.
INT. CAMPUS, HKU - 10.30
Seeing a sign on a pillar, Peter stops to take a photo.
PETER (V.O.): Since 2017, I come back a few times in a year; but this is the first time l come back in the morning.
SEQUENCE OF PETER'S MEMORY OF GOING BACK TO HKU
A. December, 1981, Peter (27) drives from Tin Sum San Tsuen to Kowloon Tong, parks the car on roadside, takes the MTR to Central, boards a Route#4 bus at Jardine House and arrives at the West Gate of HKU.
B. December, 1982, Peter (28) drives from Tin Sum San Tsuen to a Shek Kip Mei carpark, takes the MTR to Admiralty, boards a Route#23 bus at Pacific Place and arrives at the West Gate of HKU.
C. December, 1983, Peter (29) takes an estate coach from Fairview Park to Tsuen Wan, takes the MTR to Admiralty, boards a Route#23 bus at Pacific Place and arrives at the West Gate of HKU.
D. December, 1984, Peter (30) takes a Route#23 bus from Wan Chai and arrives at the West Gate of HKU.
END SEQUENCE.
PETER (V.O.): I was never late for my morning classes. I was struggling to transform myself.
Walking towards the Law School.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In my final year in Law School, my late wife and I rented a sub-divided flat in Wan Chai.
Walking.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Lessening the travelling burden, I found the PCLL course easy. When the first term ended in December, we quit the tenancy to save money.
Entering the Law Library, Peter returns the loaned books as a CLERK nearby looks on.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Is she thinking that it's a heavy burden for an old man to research in law?
Taking a seat by the window, Peter checks his phone messages.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, a former colleague needs a special reference from me.
Reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I won't let him down and carry a moral burden.
Peter types on his smartphone: I am sending my reference later today.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): For every relationship I stand connected, there're burdens to be discharged diligently.
INT. POST OFFICE - 16:15
Counter, Peter is posting a bulged letter.
PETER (V.O.): Yesterday, the taxman sent me a letter asking for the balance sheet, and profits and loss account of my lawyering business.
EXT. LIFT LOBBY - 19:30
Walking past a counter, Peter takes a look of the CARETAKER.
PETER (V.O.): The one I hope to see has never returned. Earlier, I heard that he had undergone a surgical operation.
Act 3
INT- STUDY - 23:00
Peter is in thoughts.
PETER (V.O.): If burdens are blessings, I've had lots of them.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Just because I carry my burdens well doesn't mean that they aren't heavy.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The older I get, the more I realize I want to let burdens go.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): As to my creative endeavour, I've become attached to it and have never thought of getting rid of it.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): No burden is heavier than an unfulfilled potential.
Peter takes a look of his empty bag.
FADE OUT
THE END
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