The Mystery
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Jul 14, 2020
- 2 min read
FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. STUDY - DAY
Phone in hand, PETER checks his mails and images.
PETER (V.O.): Oh, my Chambers' secretariat has advised that the Duty Lawyer Service has sent me a letter. It doesn't look like a payment notice.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If there's anything urgent, their staff will call me. It should be something unimportant. I'll go back to chambers when I've other things to do.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm quite exposed. A cool thing I can learn to do is to begin building my mystery.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): So there's no need for me to ask the secretariat to open the letter for me.
Checking his phone diary.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I've a business appointment on July 14, 2020. I can collect the letter then.
Act 2
INT. SITTING ROOM - DAY
Peter is watching TV news.
PETER (V.O.): Oh. Hong Kong has got a few dozen new coronavirus cases. Not good at all.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's probable that public health measures have to be tightened up again.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Shall I go back to chambers before the situation gets worse?
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've an unfinished appeal case, pending instructions. Could the letter be related to it?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But it's highly unlikely for important and urgent matters to be dealt with in an ordinary mail.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): So it shouldn't be it. I should trust my hunch.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm also training myself not to be overly concerned about petty matters.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Anyway, I'm going back to collect the letter tomorrow.
INT. CLUBHOUSE - NIGHT
A wet-haired Peter is checking his phone.
PETER (V.O.): While I was swimming, my wife rang. She asked me to return call...What's the matter?
Peter begins to engage in a phone conversation and looks increasingly worried.
PETER (To phone): Oh, you've been instructed to start working from home tomorrow?
Pausing.
PETER (To phone): The restaurant you went a week ago had been frequented by CONVID-19 patients?
Nodding.
PETER (To phone): Yes, I'll follow up right away.
Ending the conversation, Peter types on his phone frantically.
PETER (V.O.): I've to bring this to the attention of those whom we have recently met.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And those whom I'll be meeting. I've also become a risk to others.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): At home, we've to practise physical distancing too.
A beat.
Peter checks his phone.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've got a prompt reply. My business meeting tomorrow is postponed.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): For good public health sake, I shouldn't go back to my chambers too.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): After all, I still have to ask the secretariat to open the letter for me. Okay, first thing tomorrow morning.
Peter takes a deep depth.
Act 3
INT. STUDY - DAY
Having finished his phone conversation, Peter checks his mail and smiles.
PETER (V.O.): The unexpected letter is actually about a proposed nomination of me for the recognition of my provision of Pro Bono Legal Services.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): They're the little things I can still do. I don't expect any formal recognition in return.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): All I need do is to counter-sign the nomination form and return it. My time is still good.
Smiling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That's the mystery of mine - exposed again.
THE END
FADE OUT.
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