The Paper Chase
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Jul 18, 2022
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. SITTING ROOM - 16:00 (YESTERDAY)
PETER is watching the TV series: The Good Doctor.
PETER (V.O.): I must have watched no less than half-a-dozen episodes.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Although it's drama, I believe there's some truth in the setting.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And if I were still in my teens, I'd strive to study Science, go to a Medical School and get trained as a surgeon.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Studying Arts, I meant to become a philosopher. But circumstances were such that I did the paper chase.
Act 2
FLASHBACK
INT. FAMILY HOME, TIN SUM SAN TSUEN - DAY (1980)
A cosy room. Peter is watching the TV series: The Paper Chase.
PETER (V.O.): The Socratic method used at Harvard is very different from my part-time law courses at HKU.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I dream to become a HKU undergraduate. But working full-time for over five years now, it's unlikely my dream would come true.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Moreover, I've married last year. Looking forward to having our delayed honeymoon should be more realistic.
Watching.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Somehow, I can't desist from watching Paper Chase.
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Then, a former classmate heard about a Government Legal Training Scholarship and suggested that I should apply.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Having nothing to lose, I applied in 1980 right after I got the Certificate in Housing Management.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Meanwhile, I became a Land Executive and had to study a 2-year Land Administration course at HKPolyU right away.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But my main focus was on my Philosophy degree exams that would take place in May 1981.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I thought if I was lucky enough, I could begin reading my LLB at HKU by Sept 1981.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I did surmount the hurdles and everything did happen according to my plan!
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): While I was about to complete my PCLL in 1985, I shared my new dream to study overseas with a friend who was with the Government's administrative services.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): He suggested that I should apply for the UK Foreign Office Scholarship as the HK Government had to let me go if I got it.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Having nothing to lose, I applied, won it in 1986 and was placed at UCL to read an LLM.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): At UCL, I had the first taste of the Socratic method in some LLM seminars.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): All these episodes happened over 35 years ago.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): On the record, I had 40 years of Government service. Only I know well that I spent 4 years studying at HKU and 1 year at UCL among other part-time courses.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I had no doubt that I lived up to the expectations of those who granted me full scholarships.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I actually shared my stories to those who might be interested when I formally retired in 2014.
Act 3
INT. SITTING ROOM - 15:00
Phone rings. Peter picks up the call and engages in a conversation for awhile.
PETER (V.O.): I've just declined a brief as it conflicts with my voluntary work schedule.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.): I'm still practising not to chase funny papers, but to preserve my status wealth.
Peter checks his Investment Portfolio.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I have lost less money today. The long-term project should be where the paper chase belongs.
Peter looks at his hands.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): They aren't as steady as before. To become a surgeon at old age is a wild dream.
Peter checks an incoming mail.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My mind is still sharp though. I'd better do more voluntary work while I still can.
THE END
FADE OUT
Comments