Queuing Up
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Oct 19, 2022
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - 00:45
As PETER is checking emails with his laptop, his WIFE enters.
WIFE: I've tried to make an appointment with the Transport Dept. But the earliest slot will be in late Nov...
PETER: We're flying out in early Nov. I'll apply for you in person tomorrow.
WIFE: How long would you have to queue up for it?
PETER: About an hour, I believe.
His wife then passes him a completed form, two photos and other supporting documents.
PETER (V.O.): As a self-employed, my time is more flexible than my wife's.
Peter shuts down his laptop.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Yes, first thing tomorrow morning.
Act 2
INT. BATHROOM - 09:15
Peter is using the toilet.
PETER (V.O.): It may be hours before I can have my next opportunity.
INT. TRANSPORT DEPT - 09:30
Arriving in an office, Peter sees different queues. He talks to STAFF#1.
PETER: Which queue is for applying International Driving Permit?
STAFF#1: If you haven't made an appointment, it's the queue at the corridor outside.
Seeing around 30 PEOPLE queuing up, Peter joins at the end.
PETER (V.O.): I'm prepared for that.
Soon, Peter becomes ahead of many OTHERS. A COUPLE with a crying BABY gets Peter's attention.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I believe they're just my family, wanting to have a motoring holiday elsewhere.
Peter then hears a MAN asking STAFF#2 who is monitoring the queue.
MAN: What's the waiting time?
STAFF#2: About 2 hours, I believe.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Well, I can prepare my cases better.
While having screen time, Peter and a WOMAN in front of him would monitor the infrequent motion of the queue ahead.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But we're still queuing up outside the office.
Two hours later, Peter is still waiting at the corridor.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It seems that the queue is served at the tortoise pace. Fortunately, I don't have the urge to go to the toilet.
Later, Peter is allowed to queue inside the office.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've become nervous now. What if something is missing in my wife's application?
Peter checks and checks the papers in his bag.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Should be OK.
Later, when Peter is ahead of all the others, he sees STAFF#3 put a "Not in service" sign at the counter.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But the counter is the only one serving the queue. I know now why the queue isn't moving.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): As I've waited for that long, I don't mind waiting for a few more moments.
Finally, when Peter gets a green booklet with his wife's photo on it, he checks the time.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's the result of a three-hour queuing up. Is it supposed to go like that?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I always aim not just to meet but to exceed customers' expectations.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I worked as a waiter in my teens, I stood waiting for a 12-hour day. I had only two 30-minute meal breaks in between.
INT. SITTING ROOM - 22:45
Returning, Peter passes the International Driving Permit to his wife.
WIFE: How sorry I'm to know that happened to you...
Peter smiles.
PETER (V.O.): It's good that I can still make it at over 68.
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - 22:45
Peter works on his laptop.
PETER (V.O.): I'm quite an orderly person. I form my own orderly queue for my pursuits, even if I'm the only one.
Typing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Today's queuing up is a good rehearsal for resuming my travelling.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In order to succeed, I must believe that I can and act to make it a fact.
THE END
.
FADE OUT
Comments