One Thing Leads to Another
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- May 18, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: May 19, 2022
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. SITTING ROOM - 09:00
Saying goodbye to KAJI, PETER and his WIFE exit.
PETER (V.O.): I'm so happy that I don't have to appear in court today and can attend a HKUST meeting and a lunch appointment.
EXT. CITY ROADS - 09:15
Peter's wife is driving.
PETER (V.O.): If I've a morning meeting at Central, I'd take my wife's lift.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I first volunteered service to HKUST in 2016, I wouldn't know I'd only retire in 2024.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It has been over 6 months since I last had lunch with my good friend.
Act 2
INT. CHINESOLOGY, IFC, CENTRAL - 12.30
Delicate dim-sums on the table, Peter and a LADY chat.
LADY: I've also reserved the signature dish here - Smoked Fried Chicken.
PETER (V.O.): She's very serious about today's lunch.
Finishing the signature dish and dessert, a STAFF presents a plate with two longevity buns, a lit-up candle and the words "Happy Birthday Peter".
PETER: Wow, so thoughtful! Far exceed my expectation!
As the lady sings "Happy Birthday" to him, Peter is overwhelmed.
PETER (V.O.): What a privilege!
LADY: Make a wish before you blow the candle!
PETER (V.O.): All good wishes to my good friend and her family!
They take photos to capture the moments.
LADY (Cont'd): We first met in a British Chevening Scholars function at Helena May, Central.
PETER (V.O.): Oh, yes, that was the beginning. I was connected with the British Foreign Office scholarship.
FLASHBACK
INT. HELENA MAY, CENTRAL - NIGHT (2016)
A dinner reception. Sitting next to each other, Peter (61) and the Lady chat happily.
PETER (V.O.): She has got a very special job at HSBC.
INT. LECTURE THEATRE, HKU - DAY
A business plan competition hosted by HKU/HSBC. Peter acts as a Judge.
PETER (V.O.): This is eye-opening to me. I always think about creating public value, but not private value.
RETURN TO PRESENT'
PETER: You're very kind to invite me to play a role in your esteemed project. I learned a lot in my annual participations.
LADY: It's great that we had a good mix of judges.
PETER: I've been sharing what I learned with start-ups connected with HKUST and my Quora fans. And now, you've moved on.
LADY: Yes, today is also the second anniversary with my new employer.
Later, they part at the restaurant's dim corridor with bright signs of "Gent" and "Lady" on black walls.
PETER (V.O.): Where's the toilet door? I can't find it.
Soon, GENTLEMAN#1 & #2 come close.
GENTLEMEN: Where exactly is the Gent's toilet?
As they push here and there, GENTLEMAN#2 pushes open the door by chance.
PETER (V.O.): If they didn't join me, I feel insane to repeat the same acts.
INT. CHAMBERS - 15:00
Opening a letter from the Director of Legal Aid, Peter reads the content.
PETER (V.O.): It's a casual letter asking me to read the Director's e-Annual Report.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Sometimes, one thing leads to the same thing.
Act 3
INT. SITTING ROOM - 22:30
Working behind a laptop, Peter is in thoughts.
PETER (V.O.): Back in 1986, if I had financial means, I wouldn't have suggested the LLM program to the scholarship authority and became its 1st legal scholar.
Pausing.
.PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): One thing leads to another. Everybody has such moments.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): While some are obvious and significant, and some aren't.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Time will tell what lasts, lasts, and what doesn't, doesn't. Today, I've experienced another happiest moment of my life.
Smiling, Peter plays the fetch game with Kaji, as his wife watches.
THE END
FADE OUT
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