FADE IN.
Act 1
EXT. PASSING PLACE - MORNING
As PETER's WIFE gets inside the car, an elegantly-dressed WOMAN#1 waves at a taxi in front of them.
PETER: I've never seen her dressing casually.
WIFE: I've noticed that. We're in the same lift.
PETER: Although not all of your dresses are branded, you've got me as your chauffeur.
Smiling.
PETER (V.O.): My wife deserves that. She exercises her best endeavours all the time.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): She's a fine barrister now.
Peter drives off.
Act 2
INT. STUDY - LATE MORNING
Surrounded by box files, thick books and documents, Peter is laser-focus on something.
PETER (V.O.): I'm still learning how to apply the law in specific and special circumstances.
Taking a call, Peter engages in a lengthy conversation.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Among other considerations, I need to advance the best interest of my client.
INT. LIPPO CENTRE - AFTERNOON
Lift. Peter takes a look of a young WOMAN#2 in black, carrying a pilot's case.
PETER (V.O.): She's still wearing a barrister's white collar.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): What's the favourite part of any game? I believe it's the opportunity to play.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I first dressed similar to that in 1985.
Getting out of the lift, Peter rubs elbows with a FRIEND (60s) in casual wear.
PETER: I've just left chambers.
FRIEND: I'm going back, having just had a long lunch...
They part.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): After a distinguished civil service career, he became a Barrister several years ago.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It was his dream. And he has seized the opportunity to play.
INT. COURT LIBRARY - LATE AFTERNOON
Peter is reading a thick book. A STAFF approaches Peter.
STAFF: We close at 6.pm ie in 15 minutes.
Nodding, Peter flips through the pages.
PETER (V.O.): Let me go back to HKU law library to loan an old edition of it for reference.
INT. LAW LIBRARY - EVENING
Carrying a bulged leather brief case, Peter exits. He then notices a celebrating backdrop and a banner for the class 2020.
PETER (V.O.): No regrets for all the struggles?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Why should there be regrets? I've been struggling all my life.
FLASHBACK
INT. LAW LIBARY - DAY (1984)
Reading desks are either occupied by STUDENTS or books. Peter (30) is walking around searching for a reading spot.
PETER (V.O.): If I could find an empty desk, I would spend hours reading texts here.
INT. HOME - DAY (1984)
SHARON, Peter's WIFE, is talking to him.
SHARON: It's good that you're graduating. We've been very worried that you might not cope.
RETURN TO PRESENT
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Yes, I studied all the time, for years. When exams were just over, I'd be back to the empty library to read something new.
Peter takes a shot of the scene.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And after so many years, I'm back again.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Do they mean the regret of missing other more enjoyable opportunities?
Act 3
EXT. LIFT TO HKU MTR STATION - NIGHT
Waiting, Peter is among the STUDENTS.
PETER (V.O.): For decades after graduation, I had the rare opportunity to design the intellectual property law as it should be for Hong Kong.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Law students study the law, not the law that ought to be.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Having had the opportunity to re-learn the law now, the subject becomes interesting to me again.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Learning lots of life lessons, there's no regret.
INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Having a hotpot dinner, Peter's wife serves him with all sorts of food from shellfish to vegetables.
PETER (V.O.): My wife enjoys doing that.
FADE OUT.
THE END
top of page
Search
Recent Posts
See Allbottom of page
Comments