FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. STUDY - DAY
Relaxing on a sofa, PETER is watching TV. On the screen, a fat MAN is being interviewed by an ANCHOR. We hear: ... without the rule of law... more draconian sanctions...the President... a man of his words...
PETER (V.O.): No rule of law for China to enact the stop-gap national security laws for Hong Kong to punish traitors and terrorists? Hong Kong is finished?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): This's just a layman's unreasonable interpretation of the facts, the bilateral arrangement and the multilateral system.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): What's the clearest way to show what rule of law means to people in everyday life?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Just recall what has happened yesterday in some parts of Hong Kong. The anti-social behaviour could be much worse if there's really no rule of law.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Rule of law is significant not just at the local level. It's also significant at the bilateral and international levels.
A TV chyron states that Pompeo certifies to Congress that Hong Kong is no longer autonomous.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Should US intervene in China's domestic affairs? This is just a very basic principle of international law. Does US have any respect for the rule of law?
Act 2
INT. STUDIES - CONTINUOUS
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's the rule of law alone which hinders those in authority and the ordinary people from turning themselves into the worst gangsters.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The fat man and the brainwashed hate the enactment of national security laws in Hong Kong because they want to continue their gangster activities to disrupt public order in Hong Kong.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Since 1997, the Hong Kong SAR government has been avoiding its constitutional obligation, resulting in the 2019 and recent riots.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): China hasn't done anything that doesn't respect the rule of law governing the relationship between the Mainland and Hong Kong.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): As the existing Hong Kong SAR government hasn't done its job timely, the supreme law-making body in China may give Hong Kong a hand by enacting the stop-gap national security laws for Hong Kong.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Commitment to the rule of law provides a basic assurance that all can know what to expect whether what they do is popular or unpopular at the time.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.): Crimes under the Crimes Ord Cap 200, the Offences Against the Person Ord, Cap 212 and Public Order Ord. Cap. 245 etc are there before the crimes, offences against persons and breaches of public order are committed.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The very purpose of the national security laws in Hong Kong is to maintain Hong Kong's long-term stability and prosperity.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But those who don't care about Hong Kong's short-term or long-term interest, they said and echoed that it was Hong Kong's death knell.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Those who really believe in the rule of law won't advise others to break the law. They won't encourage others to break the law even if they strongly disagree with the law.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Freedom prosper when the rule of law is respected and not disrespected.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): True freedom also require the rule of law and justice in the judicial system as well, so that the rights of some aren't denied to others.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): And there're people from within Hong Kong who plead US to sanction Hong Kong, China in a draconian fashion.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Some elements of the humankind, even belonging to the same race, can be the cruellest animals.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): As every individual has his/her agenda, every country has its own political agenda too. Such interests can be very unpleasant and hateful.
Peter sighs.
Act 3
INT. STUDY - CONTINUOUS
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): A person's political belief or conviction, ie not-caring-to-know whether it is right or wrong, good or evil, can be dangerous.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): It's even more dangerous when the political belief or conviction is spoon-fed to the young and innocent.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): While few people are insane, but when they're in groups, they can act like psychopaths, making them morally and legally answerable and responsible for their acts.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): It can be mentally torturous too, as what is preached to them is unlikely to be consistent with the objective reality.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Furthermore, nothing is static and there's no absolute truth or falsehood. What was the case doesn't mean that it is still the case.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Some people's mind can be picturesque eg on the concept of rule of law. But ordinary people and those in the trade prefer rationality rather than intuition.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): What is good to some people are all that increases their feeling of power in them. The love of power is the demon of the humankind.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But extreme positions aren't relieved by moderate ones, but by extreme opposite positions.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): There's no logic in the fat man's argument. And logic is most democratic, as it respects no person's beliefs or convictions.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm answerable and responsible to myself. As long as I live, I must continue to think deep and act reasonably, reaching a higher point each day.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I live not just because I want to live, but to love myself and others too. That I believe, is beyond good or evil.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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