Take Full Responsibility
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Dec 30, 2020
- 2 min read
FADE IN.
Act 1
EXT. ROADS, ADMIRALTY - AFTERNOON (Dec 23)
While walking, PETER checks his phone.
PETER: Oh, I've got mail. The secretariat has proofread my draft decision. Let me first tell them that I can only deal with it after an hour or so.
INT. STUDY - LATER
Working behind his computer, PETER checks his mail inbox.
PETER (V.O): The secretariat say they've attached the proofread document for me to sign off. But I can't find it.
Peter checks his incoming mails again.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I don't think I've missed anything. No, the document wasn't attached to the mail.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Let me send another mail, asking the secretariat to resend it.
Peter sends a mail.
Act 2
INT. STUDY - EVENING
Sitting behind his computer, Peter is wondering.
PETER (V.O.): It shouldn't take long for the secretariat to re-send a file. Perhaps they're busy.
INT. STUDY - AFTERNOON (Dec 24)
Sitting behind his computer, Peter is thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Still, no reply. Could they have deleted the proofread file accidentally and therefore they need time to proofread again?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Today is X'mas Eve. There's no point to rush something around festive time.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Tomorrow is X'mas, day after tomorrow is Boxing Day and Dec 27 is Sunday.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Yes, let us all have a good time meanwhile. This year has been hard.
INT. STUDY - MORNING (Dec 28)
Sitting behind his computer, Peter is thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Today is Monday and a work day. I expect to complete my unfinished business later today.
INT. RESTAURANT - AFTERNOON
Peter is having lunch with his SON.
PETER: I've an unfinished business. I want to get it done before close of play today. It's strange that the secretariat hasn't come back to me yet.
SON: Have you urged them?
PETER: No...
Resuming their lunch, Peter looks pre-occupied.
PETER (V.O.): Before urging others, let me check if I've done anything wrong
Putting aside his chopsticks, Peter picks up his phone to check his sent mails.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I did send my mail on Dec 23, asking the secretariat to re-send the file to me...
Then, Peter looks shocked
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Oh my god! I sent the Dec 23 mail to myself - not the secretariat!
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's they who let me take my time!
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): They knew I had worked hard on this case, having dealt with two interlocutory applications.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Let me send my mail that I'd have sent on Dec 23.
Tapping a mail addressee, Peter quickly sends a mail. Then he leaves his seat before his son finishes his meal.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I just want to make a move, having stalled something for days.
Finishing quickly, his SON joins Peter at the cashier.
Act 3
INT. STUDY - LATER
Staring at the computer screen, Peter is waiting for something.
PETER (V.O.): Still no response? Let me first check if I've done anything wrong again.
Peter shakes his head sideways.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Oh, no. I should have sent it to the secretariat's direct email address rather than to my contact's personal one.
Peter types on his computer. We see: ...I take full responsibility...
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Yes, only I should be blamed.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And on this business matter, I can take full ownership of the situation, as I've the final say.
Later, Peter gets his document and signs it off electronically.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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