Act 1
INT. STUDY - DAY
Focusing on his computer screen, PETER sees a message: Please wait to join the meeting.
PETER (V.O.): Due to the coronavirus scare, the University Council has to hold an online meeting.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's also my first time helping myself to join an online meeting.
Peter checks the clock time.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm 30 minutes before time.
Peter repositions the mess behind him a bit.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): As I'm still waiting while time ticks, I had better use other devices to join the meeting and see they work.
After taping his iPad mini and iPhone, Peter checks the time again.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, it's already time and I'm still waiting. Is there something wrong with my connection? I had better use the dial-in alternative as I don't want to be too late.
As he dials with his Nokia phone, we hear some sounds coming from his devices.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Am I joining the meeting?
Peter then sees messages on the screen of his iPad mini.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Let me report my presence first.
Peter types on the iPad mini: Peter Cheung, and we see the message is to everyone.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Good. The meeting is just about to start.
Then we hear the Chair's opening remarks. And Peter is busy checking and clicking icons on the black screen. Soon, we see screen images of the CHAIR (60s) and VICE CHAIR (50s) sitting and speaking on the podium.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): If I knew attendance in person is an option, I prefer going to the venue than staying at home.
FLASHBACK
INT - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
PEOPLE (including Peter) wearing masks are having a meeting.
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY
Peter and his WIFE, both unmasked, are enjoying their meal.
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I watched a video clip about a medical expert's explanation that there's no coronavirus in the air. Mucus is different. Everything has to be evidence-based. People have become too intuitive.
Act 2
As he begins to see some slides on the screens, Peter clicks some icons on his computer screen. Then, we see some screen images.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I can hear and see them. Could they hear and see me?
Peter examines some icons.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I see, others and I have been muted as the Chair or someone speaks. Oh, there's a reaction icon on the computer screen.
Peter clicks it and sees a thumb-up sticker and a handclapping sticker. And after hearing someone' s intervention, Peter clicks the "thumbs-up" sticker.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, everybody can see the sticker - and only I've done it so far. It's fun!
We see colourful slides on the screens and hear another person presenting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That's a great presentation.
On his iPadmini, Peter types "very impressive" and sends a chat.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That's fun. But my iPadmini screen is small. It isn't easy to type.
Pondering.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Can I type using the computer keyboard? And why not?
Having listened something with his iPhone near to his ear, Peter types his comments and sends them to everyone. Then we hear the Chair speaking.
CHAIR (O.S.): I'll ask Peter to comment shortly.
PETER (V.O.): Oh, the Chair notes my written chats.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh I'm going to speak. See if they can hear me.
As Peter speaks to the computer screen, he can hear echoes and startling images. He finishes quickly.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My fault! I've too many devices near me. That's why I cut short my comments.
Peter switches off his iPhone.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's for sure they can hear me. But I'm not sure if they can see me.
Peter then unchecks a camera icon on the computer screen. Soon after, he does the same to his iPad mini. Then, he sees his image in one corner of the screen.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): All right, I believe others are seeing me now from different perspectives.
Seeing his image.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd) Well, I look like the Doc in the Back To Future series! Oh! Did I pick my noses too?
The meeting ends. Peter clicks: leave meeting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That's over two hours of volunteering work.
Act 3
Peter then checks his phone mails.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, the Kuala Lumpur Office of the Asian Domain Name Dispute Settlement Centre is asking me for my invoice for my online service rendered.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's strictly business and nothing personal.
Facing the computer screen, a refreshed Peter types again.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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