Swift Response
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- May 6, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: May 7, 2021
FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. STUDY - MORNING
PETER is reading and editing a draft in a computer.
PETER (V.O.): The deadline for this task is tomorrow. I believe the secretariat is expecting it.
Refining the draft.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Subject to their review on the format, I can finalize my decision in a few minutes.
Saving a copy.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Perhaps, I can go to the beach later in the morning before returning my NT haven.
Writing an email and attaching a file, Peter sends it.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Done!
Peter looks happy.
Act 2
INT. STUDY - CONTINUOUS
Relaxing on a sofa with his devices, Peter checks mails and sees a "Resend" with attachments.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Replying swiftly, a committee secretary attached the wrong files.
Peter studies the texts on his phone screen.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Although the recipients are given weeks to reply, I'd better give a swift response so that I'll have fewer unfinished businesses.
Having typed on his phone, Peter sees another message marked Urgent.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, the cases requesting for free legal advice have been delivered to my chambers.
Then, he sees another message.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, a friend has just despatched me a complimentary concert ticket. Let me thank her notice first.
Peter types his message and sends it.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Communications can be near instantaneous these days.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've to return to my chambers today.
Checking his mail inbox, Peter reads a mail.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The committee secretary has come back with a swift response. But he has overthought my comment.
Peter then sees another mail.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Knowing his subordinate has misread me, the supervisor has followed up with a swift response.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Let me also reply to all to resolve the embarrassment swiftly.
Having typed his reply on his phone, Peter looks upset.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But the formatting-review that I'm expecting to get hours earlier is still outstanding.
Peter checks the time.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's already lunch time. Let me chase after that.
EXT. MALL - LUNCH TIME
Peter wanders from one restaurant to another.
PETER (V.O.): I didn't mean to come here for lunch. I planned to have lunch in a lakeside restaurant.
INT. STUDY - AFTERNOON
Peter is having a phone conversation.
PETER (To phone): Did you receive my mail and attachment this morning? I wish the format review can be done within today.
Peter finishes the conversation.
PETER (V.O.): Should I go swimming now? But the formatting review may arrive any time.
Checking his mail inbox, Peter sees a webinar invitation reminder and joins it. We hear someone talking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I just can't bear wasting time by waiting for the secretariat's response.
EXT. MTR STATION - LATE AFTERNOON
Checking his phone, Peter is waiting for the train.
PETER (V.O.): It's already after 5.pm, the secretariat hasn't responded yet. That's very bad!
A train swiftly arrives.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I believe human's responses can be as swift as machines.
Act 3
EXT. SWIMMING POOL - NIGHT
Peter is swimming.
PETER (V.O.): Today, I didn't expect I'd swim the night session here.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Since I began working in my teens, I've been responding to people, and reacting to events and situations, swiftly.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): What I have learned today is this: If I want swift response and immediate action, I've to aim ridiculously low.
INT. STUDY - LATE NIGHT
Peter checks his mail inbox.
PETER (V.O.): Still no reply, breaking a promise too.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I now take the view that it's better to be swift with the risk of making mistakes than to be nothing at all.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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