FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. BATHROOM - 15:00
PETER opens a kit for COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test.
PETER (V.O.): I've just got it from a caring HKUST colleague!
Reading the instruction manual.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Which sample collection method should I use? The preferred method is deep throat sputum.
Peter inhales deeply and exhales forcefully three times, coughing deep from within his chest.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I can't produce any sputum. The anterior nares nasal swab specimen method is out, as I'm not trained to do that.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): The throat and tonsil swab method is the only option then.
Having got the sample with a swab stick, Peter inserts it into a diluent inside a dropper tube, rinses it in a solution with a turning motion and then squeeze drops into a well of a test-cassette.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): What will be the result?
Act 2
FLASHBACK
INT. INTERVEIW ROOM - 09:30 (Feb 24, 2022)
Wearing double face masks, Peter is interviewing a CLIENT whose face mask doesn't cover fully his nose and mouth.
CLIENT: Can you seek an adjournment of my case?
Peter is wondering.
CLIENT (Cont'd): I had a compulsory COVID-19 testing yesterday. I don't know the result yet.
PETER (V.O.): I had that experience months ago. It took days to know the result.
CLIENT (Cont'd): You can see I'm having a running nose - a COVID-19 symptom.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): OMG!
PETER: I'll see what I can do.
INT. COURT - 10:30
After a case number and a name are called, Peter stands up to address the court.
PETER: On behalf of my client, I'd like to seek a 2-week adjournment. This is because...
COURT: You confirm you've interviewed the defendant this morning?
PETER: Yes.
PROSECUTION: The prosecution doesn't mind if the case would be adjourned for a longer period.
Court adjourned. Peter and his ASSISTANT exit.
PETER: It was my first time appearing in a criminal court without the presence of my defendant client.
Pausing.
PETER (Cont'd): While possible contamination of the court room and other personnel is prevented, we have talked to our defendant client.
ASSISTANT: I'm very worried about that.
PETER: But we had a job to do.
INT. MALL - 13:00
Peter walks past a barbecue beef restaurant.
PETER (V.O.): I'm not trying it today. If I got a sore throat later, I wouldn't know if it's a COVID-19 symptom or not.
INT. FLAT#1 - 22:00
Peter and his WIFE are engaging in a serious conversation.
WIFE: Would you mind if you sleep alone in our other unit? I've a court case to prepare next week.
PETER: Sure. We do have to take good care of ourselves during pandemic times.
INT. FLAT#2 - 23:00
Peter prepares his bed.
PETER (V.O.): My wife yearns for a large flat. I prefer separate small units.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): We've never factored in my preference's flexibility during pandemic times.
RETURN TO PRESENT
Act 3
INT. BATHROOM - 15 MINUTES LATER
Peter continues to study the Antigen Rapid Test instruction manual.
PETER (V.O.): A red band is negative. Two is positive.
Peter focuses on the test cassette.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I can see one red band only! Negative!
Immediately, Peter sends a What's App message and gets a feedback.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): My wife is very pleased with the result.
Peter checks messages in another chat group.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Oh, a caring chambermate I talked to days ago has just tested COVID-19 positive.
Peter types on his response.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I've got to let him know my result so that he doesn't have to worry about me during convalescence.
FADE OUT
THE END
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