Quantum Leaps
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Sep 27, 2023
- 2 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. STUDY - 10:00
Smartphone in hand, PETER is studying small prints on screen.
PETER (V.O.): It's interesting to read about the Chinese imperial examination system before 1905.
Reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Apart from tempering the power of hereditary aristocracy and military authority, it led to the rise of scholar-bureaucrats.
Reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I love the concept of choosing government officials by merit rather than birth. It's equal opportunities.
Reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But the imperial examination system emphasized literary and Confucian knowledge rather than scientific or technical skills.
Reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): So China experienced a decline in scientific and technological development particularly during the late Ming and Qing dynasties.
Act 2
INT. DINING ROOM - 21:30
Peter chats with his WIFE over dinner.
PETER: Our elder daughter is flying back tomorrow. Has she done her Korean exam?
WIFE: No. But our son has finished his Medicine exam today...
PETER: His exam? Wasn't he competing in an inter-university Kendo championship in Gold Coast last Sunday?
Pausing.
PETER (Cont'd): He has flown back to Sydney and done his exam?
WIFE: Yes, he judged that his taking part in the championship shouldn't impact on his exam at all.
Peter has become wide-eyed.
PETER: So he has done all his Medicine exams?
WIFE: Yes, his six years in Medical School is about to end.
FLASHBACK
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY (About 10 years ago)
Reading a school report, Peter, his wife and their SON are discussing.
PETER: Wow, you've scored distinctions in Arts subjects.
WIFE: Your Science's academic results aren't as good as your Arts'.
SON: I'm going to study Science.
PETER (V.O.): No one of the Cheung family has ever taken Science.
WIFE: It's your call.
PETER (V.O.): I hope he can break through.
SON: I want to study Medicine in due course.
PETER (V.O.): If he wasn't admitted to a Medical School, he can try a Law School.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): While I've come across doctor-lawyers, I've never known a lawyer-doctor.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Half of my family members are already lawyers.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Although a late starter, I was the first one to set the trend.
MONTAGE OF THE FAMILY'S CHALLENGE THEREAFTER
A. Reading son's DSE results, we see the mixed emotions of the family.
B. Son is studying Physiotherapy unhappily. Peter and his wife notice that.
C. Son then completes a rigorous Medical School application process.
D. A year later, Peter and his wife witness his son checking in a university hall in Sydney.
E. Son begins to study Medicine diligently in Australia.
F. Skyping with the unwell son, Peter and his wife are very worried.
RETURN TO PRESENT
Act 3
INT. STUDY - 23:00
Having input the prompt: "Quantum Leaps" in an AI art generator in his smartphone, Peter sees a cubist image appearing.
PETER (V.O.): While my family has made significant breakthroughs, China has made remarkable strides in science and technology.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My family and China's advancements have been a dynamic and transformative process filled with challenges, setbacks and successes.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Each step my family and China takes represents a significant leap forward in our intellectual pursuits on humanity.
FADE OUT
THE END
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